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The memory was still there. My mother's voice. Her handwriting. Her promise.

A promise was made. When it is offered, accept it.

I sat up.

"Eravic."

He looked over immediately.

"I want it."

His brow furrowed. "The Arrolyn?"

I nodded. "My mother told me to accept what was offered." I swallowed. "She spent years trying to protect me. I am done letting things she fought for sit untouched because I am afraid."

His expression changed.

He reached inside his cloak and pulled out a small wrapped object.

"You just... carry it around?"

He shrugged. "Safest place for it."

"Your cloak is the safest place for one of the most important objects in existence?"

"At the moment, yes."

I stared at him.

He sighed. "I understand how that sounds."

"It sounds like something a person says before losing something incredibly important."

A faint smile touched his mouth. "Come here."

I immediately narrowed my eyes. "That sounded suspiciously like an order."

"It was not."

"Good. Because I am royalty."

"Yes. A very tired, poisoned royalty who just woke up from a memory stone."

I ignored that.

He unwrapped the Arrolyn. "I need you to understand something. I can place it. It will strengthen you somewhat, perhaps allow you to cross the wards a small amount like we discussed before. But I won’t activate it tonight.”

"Why?"

"Placing it and waking it are different things. Waking it has more consequences and isn’t a decision I’ll let you make tonight.”

“I thought you only had Vaelor abilities, not those of a Siren or Saren or whatever your kind are called.”

He chuckled. “Yes. If I have Saren gifts they won’t be awakened until Sarenal’s wards open.”

“Don’t you need those…gifts to put it in me?”

He held it carefully. "The Arrolyn was forged to recognize bloodline, not magic. I do not need Saren power to place it."