Page 20 of Soul Forge

“Most of us,” Irileth replied innocently. “How is packing for your trip going?”

“It isn’t,” the princess snorted. “Sypher thought we could leave without asking. I’m assuming he’s gone without me to talk to my father.”

“He never did care for the politics of royalty.”

“He doesn’t seem to care much about anything,” Elda agreed bitterly. “He looked at me like he wanted me to disappear.” She thought back to the fury in his eyes when she’d accepted her role as wielder, shuddering at the memory. She wasn’t sure what was scarier: a future fighting monsters or a future beside an immortal that hated her.

“He looks at everybody like that. You should worry when he looks ready togutyou.” Irileth inspected her perfect, frozen nails as she spoke.

“Is he always like that?”

The Spirit looked up and cocked her head. “Wouldn’t you be? He’s spent eight centuries at the mercy of the Spirits. Almost everyone he likes grows old and dies while he lives.” She smiled. “Maybe that will change with you.”

Elda snorted. “Hebarelytolerates me.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll overcome your differences. You’ll have many lifetimes to get to know one another if all goes well.” The princess blinked, uncomprehending. Irileth’s head tilted. “You’re immortal, sweetie.”

“I’mwhat?!” Elda surged to her feet, her voice smashing through three octaves. Immortal? How could she beimmortal? “And nobody thought to tell me that would happen?!”

“The other wielders have lived for centuries longer than their heritage should allow. Did you think you were the exception?” Irileth asked. When she didn’t answer, the Spirit twirled a strand of glowing hair around her finger. “Hmm, I didn’t realise you had no idea this would happen.” She dropped the hair and pressed a hand to her chest. “Our souls are intertwined now. If I die, you die. Likewise, my magic will sustain you indefinitely.” A frown settled on her face. “Sypher was supposed to explain this to you before you met me so you didn’t get overwhelmed all at once.”

Elda scowled, dropping heavily onto the chaise longue. Her whole life had been filled with people deciding what information she should be privy to. Even as a wielder, people were still making decisions for her.

“My parents limit my reading and keep me confined inside the palace grounds. The only books I’m permitted are old legends and fairy tales. Any extra reading is usually managed by stealing my father’s books.” Irileth quirked a brow at that. Elda’s hands crept up to twist her braid between them, panic closing around her heart again. “And now my future husband is the cagiest creature I’ve ever met. If I have no information, I can’t learn. If I don’t learn, I can’t improve, and if I can’t improve, then I’m doomed!”

“Bestill, little friend.” Irileth drew closer and took her hands, stopping her fidgeting. “Everything will be fine. You have me. I’ll make sure you’re in the know as much as I can.”

The princess narrowed her eyes. “That sounds like a caveat. Why can’t you just make sure I’m ‘in the know’ full stop?”

The Spirit shrugged. “You know what I know. We are equally in the dark about our futures, my dear.”

Elda took a deep breath, trying to compartmentalise the insanity that was her life. Organising her thoughts took some effort. She was still reeling from seeing Yarrow burn right infront of her eyes. Add that to a forced engagement, her selection as wielder, and meeting a Spirit whose altar she’d prayed to her whole life, and she was a hair’s breadth from losing her mind.

But eventually, she found her next question. She looked up into Irileth’s glowing eyes. “You said my purpose was to fix something broken and expose the lies, so what’s broken? What lies?”

The Spirit sighed and let go of her hands, taking a seat beside the elf. “I told you I don’t know that yet.” The vapour of her skirts fell away from her pointed legs when she crossed one over the other. “As frustrating as it is, this is a journey we go on together.”

“Why did you choose me?” Elda’s shoulders were squared, her chin raised, but there was a pit in her stomach as she waited for the answer. There were so many reasons not to choose her that it seemed impossible there would be a single one in her favour.

“Because you’re the light in a dark,darkworld.” Frozen fingers cupped her cheek gently. “You may not see it now, little friend, but one day, you will be the greatest wielder Valerus has ever known.”

Elda’s cheeks coloured. “I doubt that.”

“I don’t.”

“Are you sure you can’t teach me everything?” she complained. “You’re much more agreeable than Sypher.”

“No,” Irileth chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners when she smiled. “He’ll never admit it, but he needs your help as much as you need his.” Her smile widened, glowing hair cascading over her shoulder at the tilt of her head. “Give him a chance.”

Elda hesitated, but the plea in Irileth’s eyes was enough to sway her. “Alright. I can do that. Maybe he’ll warm up to me over time.”

There was a scoff from the corner of the room. “I doubt it.” Elda looked up to see Sypher standing in the doorway that led toher bathroom, shadows settling around him like smoke. “Once we’re done, you and I will part ways as strangers.”

“Is there really any need to be this way?” Irileth tutted, frowning at him.

“You know there is,” he replied, keeping his scowl on Elda. “Persephone is on her way to get you ready. We have a wedding to attend.”

“Whose wedding?” Elda asked stupidly. Sypher’s brow puckered. “Ours?”

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