Page 16 of Secrets & Curses of Cerithia

“And you, soldier, what do you have?”

His bushy brows furrowed as he stared at me for a confusing moment. I noticed the sigh of relief he let out.

“Nature magic, specifically plant roots.”

“Alright, I will start with you.” I pointed to Leer and told the rest to join the others.

My eyes narrowed on Leer as soon as it was only the two of us. His light hair was still in a long braid down his back, but his eyes didn’t hold hatred for me like they had at the trials. He also had a scar that ran across his face that wasn’t there before. His blue eyes looked over me with fear. Leer looked exhausted.

“Leer.”

“Captain,” he bowed respectfully.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I looked around, but no one paid much attention to us, besides Jeb, who seemed to watch me more than he needed to.

“I live in Cerithia,” he whispered as he looked around. “I did not know you were Thea Alzara when I was at the trials until you used fire magic. They do not know that I competed in them.”

“Why didn’t you tell them?”

Leer looked around like he feared something. My eyes glanced around and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Jeb was the only one who watched us. It was clear that he didn’t like that I was having a private conversation. Leer’s eyes peered at me cautiously as he whispered.

“I was worried for my family's safety.” His eyes shifted around us again. He was terrified. This was a completely different man than the one I competed against in the trials. “This is not theplace to talk about this, Captain.” His pale blue eyes pleaded silently at me. “Please.”

All of a sudden, his fear did not make my darkness happy.

“Very well, Leer; please continue training.”

He hurried away and didn’t look at me again. I would visit him later. I called on other guards to make it look less suspicious. I asked them basic questions, but they all tensed when I asked about their magic. None of them wanted to talk about it. It was odd. They all seemed scared of the topic. After a few hours, Jeb dismissed them for the day and told me they would meet again in the morning.

“Magic is not allowed to be used,” Jeb sighed.

“Well, that is stupid. It could win us the war.”

“Magic is forbidden here, and if you keep bringing it up, I will have to tell your father,” he warned me.

“Do whatever you wish, Jeb, but just remember that I’m the captain, and I don’t take kindly to threats.”

Jeb said nothing as he turned away and headed toward the castle. I stayed on the training field, trying to sort out what I was feeling about seeing Leer. He had been so cruel at the trials, but the man I saw today looked terrified and defeated. I glanced around me for Wisp out of habit, hoping she would give me any insight, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Chapter 5

Standing in front of the mirror in my room, I stared at myself in my newly tailored captain’s uniform. Blue did not suit me in the slightest. I had been back to training for nearly a week, and I had not seen anyone from my family during that time. So, I was surprised when Jesper found me and gave me my new uniform, saying I needed to wear it to the meeting tonight.

My eyes stung with tiredness. I was pushing myself too hard at training, but it was hard to stop when it was all I had to keep me sane. My eyes drifted down my uniform, and I paused before lifting the sleeve of my arm up to reveal the communication bond I had with Cassius. I traced the red crown on my arm, stopping at the crack that ran through it. Could he still feel me through this bond? Flashes of him giving it to me played through my mind. I closed my eyes, wishing I could have had a little longer to pretend with him. I knew I shouldn’t feel this way. I shouldn’t mourn his loss.

Straightening up, I yanked my uniform down over my bond, but the weight of losing Cassius was crushing me.

Sighing, I put my viper-handled dagger into my boot and headed out. Jesper had told me the gathering was in the ballroom attached to the throne room. I hadn’t even bothered asking him what the meeting was for.

When I entered the room, a hundred fae turned toward me. I raised my chin, so they knew I was not intimidated by their cold glares. Immediately, I found my family standing at the front of the room. I walked toward them quickly as others gazed at me, but I didn’t bother looking around.

I stood at the end of the group next to Mae, who scoffed quietly under her breath. My father and Gwyn were whispering harshly to one another before my father turned and came to me.

“Thea, what are you doing?” His nostrils flared.

“I’m sorry I’m late. Jesper only told me twenty minutes ago.”

“It’s not that. You can’t stand up here with us.” He gave me a pleading look.

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