“Well, that’s a disappointment.” Fray reaches forward to clap Varic on the shoulder. “Seems you stopped siphoning too soon there, Leader.”
Varic huffs out a breath as he stares forward, apparently waiting for the Emperor to take the hint. Yet His Majesty merely blinks back while Mille continues to imbue him with energy. I narrow my eyes at the healer whose ability cannot possibly compare to Cirrin’s.
Lars shakes his head. “He has to tire at some point.”
“I can make that happen.” Cirrin steps forward.
“Let me try to settle this, then we might take you up on that offer.” Varic squares his shoulders and pins his gaze on our ruler. “What was your purpose in calling this meeting, Your Majesty?”
Each of his conscious Guards steps forward to form a wall before the tyrant.
Malin moves closer to Varic’s shoulder, looking over at his leader with a mix of admiration and appreciation, which quirks my heart. Lars observes this before joining Malin’s side, offering Varic a nod in honor of his need to defend us.
Cirrin steps around to Varic’s opposite, lifting his chin as my magic detects his chest is filled with appreciation. Fray takes Cirrin’s right, completing the line of sorcerers standing between me and our tormentor.
My chest constricts with the way they each consider Varic, exuding a wholehearted trust they so seldom place in others.
Acting in solidarity with the first sorcerer to stand against our lifelong bully.
Tears fill their eyes as they each turn to witness Varic protecting us with his shield and his word. Holding the line many would have let him cross and refusing to allow His Majesty to gain access to us.
The Emperor issues a muffled command for his Guards to allow him past their tightly held shoulders, yet they merely glare forward with a noxious mix of hatred and rage undulating in jagged waves of red and umber.
Kosta and the Emperor send their magic in swirls of dark red and deep gray, while Varic continues to cast his shield, preventing their power from reaching us.
My eyes flick from His Majesty to my Guards with uncertainty percolating in my stomach as to how we might survive this night and the next if this is when everything changes. If this is to be the moment when His Majesty’s life will end, and we will learn the identity of the heir apparent—which could be someone as terrible as Wyrth. Or perhaps it would be me—an appointment which I could not accept, regardless of how I might be the most trustworthy option.
I cannot allow my Guards to go through with this. We have a plan, and I will not take the chance of losing any more of them. I send His Majesty what I can of my weary magic, manipulating his fury with threads of calm and peace before adding the airy blue of serenity. My lungs burn as I hold my breath until what little I can see of his brows appears to relax.
Lars looks from Varic to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, you were the first to recognize Imperial Grand Witch Tasch’s power and how important it is to utilize for the Empire. You value her ability to serve Ampara Deicra’s legacy so much you appointed us Anomalies—the most powerful sorcerers on the Continent—to protect the witch you deem ‘the Empire’s greatest asset’.”
The Emperor quirks a brow and peers back at Lars between the shoulders of his Guards.
Fray clears his throat, then says, “You have proven your selflessness in recognizing her magic alone enforces their compliance with what you deem is best for the citizens you rule.”
“I have sacrificed so much,” Emperor Aldritch says, staring down at his wine.
Raki attempts to fly toward him and slams against the shield. It shakes mid-air before floating back to me, and I swallow the bile burning my throat as its weight settles back over my head.
“We see it, Your Majesty.” Malin’s tone is unwavering.
Lars considers him before turning back to the Emperor. “What claim was made against her that you would risk the reputation you have so painstakingly crafted from the collective strength of her magic and your leadership?”
Emperor Aldritch sighs. “My little witch attempted to corrupt one of my best Generals. One who proved his loyalty by being honest, even though it will cost him whatever she promised.”
A sneer overtakes my expression as I promised that snatcher nothing. And I can only imagine what he might have required—most likely something I would not have willingly given.
“Your Majesty,” Varic begins. “You have mentioned how integrity is something I value, and because of this, I can safely say that whoever made this claim must be mistaken.”
My heart drops because Varic should know we have to cautiously guide His Majesty toward such a statement.
“General Sal confessed that she tried to manipulate him into committing treason.”
My fingers itch with an electricity coursing through them. I turn my hand palm side up and gape in wonder at the undulating rainbow of color.
The power pulses higher the more I wish to unleash the blast straight inside our ruler’s chest, while the uncertainty of how to call it back burns within my ribs.
“And I assume General Sal also claimed to have refused her offer,” Fray says.
