Page 62 of The Mirror in the Mountain

Our hosts sat underneath a colorful canopy opposite us before an enormous fountain. The water sparkled in the sunlight as it arched from hundreds of tiny holes carved into a central chamber in an interlocking design. King Eliav looked exactly as I remembered him, with darkly tanned, handsome features, anda neatly trimmed beard. He wore a burnt orange caftan over fitted silk black pants and braided leather sandals, his jet-black hair pulled back in a sleek bun. Eliav’s sharp, golden-brown eyes narrowed probingly as he got to his feet. His husband Noam stood next to him, tall and slender in comparison, with light brown skin and eyes that gleamed an unnatural emerald that matched the bright color of his tunic.

Placing a hand on the small of Eva’s back, I drew her forward as Marin, Yael, and Rivan came through the mirror behind us, squinting in the bright sunlight. Before acknowledging the awaiting monarchs, I turned to her, lifting her chin with my thumb and forefinger. Though the tightening sense of anxiety that had permeated our bond the moment we had neared the mirror had ebbed, I whispered, “Are you okay?”

Her eyes crinkled. “Worrywart.”

It was hard not to remember the last time I had brought Eva to a castle, to another royal…and abandoned her there. Left her to be tortured in my ignorance and folly.

Eva took my hand and squeezed.

“Evangeline, I presume,” Eliav said, breaking me out of my thoughts as he walked toward us. “Lovely to see you again, Bastian.”

If he was expecting me to bristle at the lack of titles, he would be disappointed. “Eliav,” I said with a casual nod of acknowledgement. “Noam. Good to see you both.”

“Eva is fine,” she said with a small tilt of her head—an acknowledgement from one ruler to another. I didn’t miss Eliav’s look of slight surprise before his mouth spread in a practiced smile.

“A pleasure,” Noam said with a noticeably deeper bow than necessary to myanima. He straightened, his eyes twinkling with delight. “We’ve heard so much about you, my dear.”

“This is my sister Marin, and heranimaYael,” I said, gesturing at them both in turn. Eliav’s eyes tightened ever so slightly as he took in Yael before his bland smile resumed. “And?—”

“Rivan,” Eliav finished as they both bowed. “Of course I remember. The war wasn’t so long ago, no?”

“And not quite as finished as we thought.” I matched his courtier’s smile, keeping a tight leash on the disdain I felt for this song and dance. “Or did I fail to convey the urgency of the situation in my letters?”

Eliav frowned. “As I said, I prefer some assurances before I commit myself to another war. After all, I must do my rightful diligence before offering the support of my people at the cost of their lives and our tentative peace. Or did you forget that our city was nearly decimated by the civil war of the last battles?”

I hadn’t forgotten. Esterra had been nearly torn asunder by their divided loyalties, some of their people taking it upon themselves to set their cities’ defenses aflame before the False King’s army had arrived to conquer it. There had been far too many here who had believed in his vision for bringing both realms under his ultimate power, and the resources it would yield. That they wereowedservitude from the mortals currently unaware of their existence. Eliav and his army had retreated south to Imyr where they had fought in the final battle before the King’s apparent downfall at his son’s hands.

Adjusting my tunic, I asked evenly, “Do you forget who took you in when you needed it? Who you once fought beside?”

“Your parents were magnanimous rulers,” Eliav said placatingly. “I mourn their loss to the realm. But it doesn’t change the fact that you are asking me to put my people, this kingdom, at risk yet again. To trust that what you say is true about the False King, who you say was never truly defeated, just biding his time as our beloved Prince Aviel until he foundher.”He looked at Eva, who had stiffened at my side, as a flurry of emotions whirled down our bond that left no doubt what Aviel’s mention evoked.

Shadows gathered at my fingertips, my jaw clenching. I took a deep breath, letting them dissipate into the sunlight.

She’s safe now,I told them, and myself.She’s safe.

For now, a taunting voice answered me.

“And what did your spies in Morehaven tell you about everything that occurred?” My voice stayed miraculously calm when inside I felt anything but. “Or am I to believe you think the False King is still imprisoned in the northern ice?”

Eliav’s brow knitted. “We’ve received mixed reports about your so-calledanima’s stay in Morehaven. Though some confirm your story, Prince Aviel told another tale in the missive that arrived not long after yours. He wrote that this war is about whoseanimaEvangeline truly is, and who she belongs to. I will not deny our scouts have seen the prince readying his army. But he says it is to retrieve hisanimaafter you stole her away. That you’ve taken her twice now after growing to covet her on your journey from the other realm while bringing her to him. He suspects you used an old, dark magic to supersede their bond. And so you’re to blame for the continuation of the curse.”

Eva let out a shocked sound of protest. “The only one obsessed and dabbling in dark magic ishim. Shouldn’t the fact that I’m here with Bash of my own free will tell you that’s not the case? That he’s my soul bonded, and the prince a liar?” Her eyes flashed. “He took me and tried to keep me against my will when I found out who he really was. Tried to do far worse than that…” Her voice wavered, and I wasn’t sure if the diving sensation in my stomach was hers or mine. “We’re telling you the truth.”

I forced myself to unclench my fists, noting that Noam’s stare followed the movement. Rivan met my gaze, the fury on his face quickly cooling at the slight shake of my head.Yael’s jaw clenched, likely holding back a stream of expletives I wholeheartedly agreed with. My sister’s gaze remained impassive, her royal training the same as mine, even if I didn’t miss the way her mouth had tightened.

“Thus, why I made you come all this way,” Eliav said genially. “To determine the truth from the lies before I pledge my support. It’s no small thing to commit my people to a war that I’m unsure we can win again, especially as you say, we never truly won it in the first place. Even if it is in support of my niece.”

Shock hit me like a wave down our bond, mingling with my own surprise.

Eva’s mouth fell open. “Your…I’m your…”

“My brother, despite his Celestial magic guaranteeing his rule here, chose to live and rule with hisanimain that oh so secretive kingdom in the north. The one that no one in my kingdom but me seemed to remember thanks to an ingenious bit of magic until very, very recently. But we are indeed blood.” Eliav arched an imposing eyebrow, and I saw Eva’s eyes narrow in recognition. “Do not think that bloodlink will sway me should the rest of your reasoning for this war not be sound.”

Noam made a tutting sound. “Refreshments first before we start talking business, my love.”

He took hisanima’s arm, gesturing for us to follow as he led us inside the desert palace.

Chapter 28

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