Page 44 of Iris of the Crowned Flame

Juniper spoke up. “Do you remember, when I told you I needed to call the Priestesses here for help, that I mentioned a fairy tale that fit Egan’s powers, that evil incarnate wielded the power to fight the Gods?”

Spencer and I nodded, but Amyra looked confused. Juniper quickly provided the fairy tale with a bit more detail. “We teach this tale to explain to our children why magic left our realm. In it, a single entity, evil incarnate, walked this land and fought the Gods for full control of the land. The fairy tale says that the Gods banished him, sending him to an eternal prison, and removing all power from the land until people could again be trusted with it. We recite the story as if the entity is a person, but our researchers have found a potential source for the fairy tale. In that source, the entity is a lost God. The God of Death.”

“We don’t have a God of Death, though?” Spencer asked, confused.

Juniper smiled. “Not anymore. That used to be one of our gods. He led men in the Great War, to create inequalities in the realm, because inequalities mean more death. He was supposed to be sent to a prison he couldn’t escape, to live out his punishment until the prophecy could be fulfilled.”

“So, we are supposed to have eight gods and goddesses?” I asked.

Emberly shook her head. “No, nine. The prophecy foretells of the ninth Goddess coming to life.”

“And you’re telling me that the God of Death is talking to me in my mind?”

Juniper and Emberly exchanged a glance, then both nodded. “It might be. And if that’s who it is, then we need toteach you how to block people from your mind, to protect yourself. As long as he can access your mind, you simply aren’t safe. He can find you and send anyone he wants after you.”

“Is he the one who wants me dead?” I was afraid of the answer. I didn’t want to hear it said out loud. Why did I say that?

Spencer pulled me in for a hug. He must have heard my thoughts spiraling.

“Most likely.”

“Shouldn’t everyone in that meeting learn how to block him out of our minds?” Amyra asked. “I don’t want him in mine.” I reached over and pulled her into this hug Spencer started.

Emberly nodded. “Yes, I can work with all three of you to learn that. Spencer already has had some lessons, but he needs more. Spencer, I’ll need your help too. Once you’re able to do it, I’ll need to use you to teach others. We test their skills by trying to penetrate. Unfortunately, you and I are the only two here that have that gift. It’s too late in the season to bring more priestesses down.”

I felt Spencer nod, his chin brushing the top of my head. “Yes, of course.”

“We need to postpone the next tournament event until everyone that will be in the room can guard their minds. Egan will benefit from reading minds. He probably already knows what Father has planned, and that he’s going to lose this tournament if Spencer is alive.” My thoughts just ran straight out of my mouth without filtering.

“Maybe this is enough information that we can imprison Egan and cancel the tournament. Even if it starts a diplomatic nightmare, we need to consider the threat Egan poses if he can channel power through a God.” Amyra offered.

The five of us stood in a semi-circle, mulling over her words.

Finally, I spoke. “I need to meet with Father, and the General of the Army, and prepare for this.”

Everyone nodded. “Can we use this chamber, Juniper?” I ask.

“Princess, all my rooms are yours to use. I will ask the researchers at the Temple to see if they can find a warding spell for your personal chambers, so that you can feel safe there.”

CHAPTER 28

It took three agonizingly long days to get Father and the General to agree to the meeting. I asked Spencer to attend, and Juniper of course, but limited it to just the five of us. In that time, Juniper could use various objects to ward my chambers and Spencer’s helping keep our minds free of this God of Death. Ivy and Amyra had taken to sleeping in my chambers for their own comforts as well. Emberly had given us some techniques that seem to work to guard our minds. I hadn’t heard from Death, as I started calling him, but I didn’t know if that’s because it’s working or if it’s because he was letting me think it was working so he could continue to listen. I wasn’t the only one worried about that, so Emberly had really been pushing hard on us to keep our guards up, even when in our warded rooms. She worked with Spencer and me all day until we were exhausted. It was already becoming second nature to protect my mind.

Spencer and I had arrived early for this meeting with Father and the General. Spencer challenged my mental defenses while we waited in Juniper’s office. To the outside world, we probably looked like a couple of lovebirds. It felt a little surreal. Just a few months ago, I was positive that no man existed in the world that could be tolerable. Who could ever compare to my Amyra? The thought of losing her made mefeel like I couldn’t breathe. But something with Spencer caused me to drop my guard, and I couldn’t be happier. I never imagined picking a husband who could recognize and respect that I loved Amyra first, and that I would always love her.

‘Aw, but will you love me too?’ Spencer’s voice broke through. I grinned.

‘Guess you’ll have to work hard and see what that gets you.’ I tease back.

‘I’ll work hard all night long if I have to.’

‘I bet you will.’ I bit my lower lip, looking up at him through my lashes.

A knock sounded, ending the flirting. I put my wall back up and then felt him tapping against it. He squeezed my hand, his way of praising me when he can’t whisper into my mind.

Juniper opened the door and allowed Father and a General in. I realize that this man was a newer one I haven’t met. I stood to greet them, with Spencer following suit. “Hello, good morning, Father and General…” I read his name tape and emphasize his unfamiliarity. “General Simms, it seems. I thought General Kellen would join us. No offense, Sir, we just had sensitive information and requested him specifically to manage that.”

Father allowed one corner of his lips to curl, a nonverbal acknowledgement on his otherwise stoic face. I would bet anything that he had the same objection in his office.

---