Page 56 of The Blood Traitor

“Everything,” Galdric said miserably. “That’s why he wants Kiva so badly. Because without her, the Hand won’t work. But with her, he has the potential to gain his own magic.”

“Explainthat,” Jaren said, his eyes aflame. “A proper explanation this time. Everything Navok knows, we need to know.”

Galdric didn’t hesitate. “The Hand of the Gods was intended to be used by both Torvin and Sarana together, since it was a symbol of their peaceful union and the prosperity they wished not just for their kingdom, but the entirety of Wenderall. As such, it can only work by combining Vallentis magic and Corentine magic — healing magic, that is, not death magic.” His eyes locked with Kiva’s startled ones. “You’re the last remaining Corentine with healing magic. Navokneedsyou. He also needs Vallentis magic, but” — he waved toward the royals — “there are a few who he could use, including Princess Mirryn — sorry, Queen Mirryn — who is already working with him. But you, Kiva...” Galdric’s expression turned remorseful. “Navok heard from your mother that you were powerful, so initially he wanted you for that alone, especially when he learned what Zuleeka could do. But once I told him about the Hand, he wasn’t going to stop until you were his. He still won’t.”

Kiva’s heart was roaring in her chest. “Whatisthe Hand?” Her voice tightened with dread as she added, “Does Navok already have it?”

“No, thank the gods,” Galdric said, causing everyone to relax — slightly. “It’s four rings, each representing an element, and it only works when Vallentis magic is pushed into them — one for earth, one for air, one for fire, and one for water.”

Kiva thought about the amulet she wore beneath her clothes, andhow, when it was imbued with magic, it could protect her from the elements. The four rings sounded as if they had similar power-absorbing abilities, with the added benefit ofgiftingmagic, not just protecting from it.

“Once Sarana’s magic was in the rings,” Galdric said, “Torvin wore them all at once, coaxing his own healing magic through them, focusing his power to merge with Sarana’s. That was all it took to, essentially,fusethe elemental magic into another person.” His voice lowered. “When Torvin started using death magic, the Hand stopped working. But Sarana was concerned about him having children one day who might inherit his healing power, since she knew if they came for the rings, he’d be able to build his own magical army —”

Much like what Navok was already doing without the Hand, Kiva thought, her anxiety growing.

“— so she separated them and had her closest allies from Jiirva, Hadris, Valorn, and Arden hide them in their own kingdoms. Navok doesn’t know where they are — I told him she buried them deep in the Uninhabited North, but he sent a team to search for them, and he’ll soon discover the truth. He’s smart, and he has the resources to learn who she really gave them to, especially now that he knows what questions to ask.” He made a helpless, apologetic gesture, before finishing, “He can’t do anything until he has all four rings, each imbued with magic, and then Kiva to wield them, but still... it’s not an ideal situation.”

Caldon glared at him. “Youthink?”

“You said he needs Vallentis magic,” Ashlyn pointed out. “Mirryn can give him air and fire, but that’s all. So he doesn’t just need Kiva, he also needs us, and we won’t —”

“Oriel and Aunt Ariana.” Caldon swore. “They’re still at the River Palace. They can give him earth and water.”

Jaren clenched his jaw at the reminder that his mother and brother remained hostages in Vallenia. Kiva knew it had to be eating him upinside, but feared any comfort she might offer would only make things worse.

“It’s also possible that Sarana’s power is still in the rings,” Galdric told them. “They could be ready to go without needing any extra Vallentis magic.”

Caldon swore again.

“So all Navok needs is to find the rings,” Torell summarized, having stayed silent for most of Galdric’s speech, “and then coerce Kiva into helping him, and he’ll be able to —”

“I’m afraid so,” Galdric confirmed.

This time it was Jaren who cursed, before rubbing his temples and frowning down at the table. “We need to get to them first,” he said. “We can’t risk Navok having that kind of threat looming over us. He’s already powerful. With magic, he could be unstoppable.”

Before anyone could agree — or argue — Cresta started chuckling.

“I’m impressed,” she said, smirking at Jaren. “My first thought was that if we took Kiva out of the equation” — she sliced a finger across her own throat — “then there’d be no threat. But well done to you for not going there.”

“Cresta,” Torell snapped, while Kiva just shot her a disapproving look.

“What?” Cresta said. “I can’t be the only one thinking it.” To Kiva, she added, “Idon’t want you dead. But you have to admit, you’re causing all kinds of problems.”

“Has no one else thought about the obvious yet?” Kiva asked, ignoring the redhead, and voicing what she’d realized the moment Galdric had mentioned what the Hand could do. “If we get the rings, then Jaren can get his magic back.”

Everyone around her stilled enough to indicate theyhadn’tthought about it. The openly stunned look on Jaren’s face had Kiva’s cheeks heating, and she quickly added, “And we could also create our own magicalarmy to defend against Navok’s. So keeping the Hand from him won’t just stop him from gaining his own power, but it’ll mean we can stop him from taking over Evalon — and Wenderall.”

There was a pause while her companions processed her words, and then Ashlyn said, “That’s a solid argument, but if we go after the Hand, it could take us weeks. Months. We’d have to travel across the continent, and then figure out where the rings are. That whole time, Zuleeka —”

“Pardon me,” Galdric interrupted, “but the rings were given to the ruling families of the kingdoms I mentioned before. Only for safekeeping, though — you merely have to ask for them back.”

“We’d still have to travel —”

“I can use my windfunneling,” Galdric offered. “We’ll need to ride part of the distance on horseback, but once we’re within a few hundred miles of each city, I can magic us the rest of the way.” He eyed Ashlyn. “If you’re a quick learner, you can, too.”

“Bold of you to assume you’re coming,” Caldon said to the ex-rebel leader.

“If you don’t want to lose weeks traveling all while Zuleeka wreaks havoc on Evalon and Navok prepares to invade with his magical army, then you need me,” Galdric stated evenly. “And I can offer guidance with Kiva’s training, too. Don’t forget, when Navok is no longer a threat, she’ll still need to face her sister.”

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