Page 81 of Forged in Flame and Shadow

“I’m aware that the two of you became close, but you should know that he cannot offer you what you want.”

I blink, surprised at how much Respen’s words echo Damia’s.

“Prince Leonidas hasn’t made me any promises, Your Majesty,” I say stiffly. At least, not where romance is concerned.

“And he won’t,” Respen says abruptly. “He’s the King’s Sword, and any other commitment comes secondary to that. I had hopes for his betrothal, of course, as that has been in place for so long…” He sighs. “But it’s clear even to me now that the only thing he can commit to is this kingdom. He’s better off not being distracted from his responsibility to it.”

I hear Respen loud and clear: Stay away from Leon, if you know what’s good for you.

But I would face the aisthekis again before I’d accept that Respen knows what’s good for me.

I smile blithely at him and nod, and together we climb the steps up to the terrace. I look back over the garden before we head inside.

“I suppose one day your statue will be here too, Your Majesty,” I say. “A reminder to future generations when your time on the throne has come to an end.”

His pale eyes narrow a fraction.

“Yes,one day, Princess Morgana. Though I can assure you that won’t be for a very long time yet.”

Chapter 25

Morgana

“Did you know about Caledon?”

The words are out of my mouth as soon as I lock eyes with Leon, before I notice that Fairon is standing next to him outside the throne room. I must’ve interrupted their conversation and am about to apologize, but Leon speaks first.

“Caledon? He’s the Temple leader, isn’t he? What did my grandfather say about him?”

The confusion on Leon’s face knocks something out of me, and I exhale.

“I’m sorry,” I rub my forehead and look cautiously toward the closed doors of the throne room. “I think some of your grandfather’s magic is still hanging around.”

“How did it go?” Leon asks gently, stepping beside me and placing a hand at the small of my back. I can tell Fairon doesn’t miss the gesture.

“Let’s go to your parlor, Leonidas,” Fairon says. “I’m sure Her Highness has had a trying time. Perhaps we should putsome distance between her and all thispressure,” he says meaningfully.

When we’re in the parlor, away from prying eyes and even more prying sensic magic, I answer Leon’s question.

“He told me that the Grand Bearer is a solari,” I say. Fairon and I have sat down, but Leon stands beside my seat, hovering protectively. “That his celestial power means he can drain people of their magic. And when he drains a solari, he can take some of their power and lifespan for himself. That’s why he had us classed as heretics. It’s all so he could capture other solari and use them to make himself stronger.”

“He’s not punishing solari, he’s harvesting them,” Fairon says gravely, getting there faster than I did. It’s an accurate description, but his wording still makes me nauseous.

“My grandfather has never shared this with me, Ana,” Leon says firmly.

“I believe you,” I say. He’d have no reason to keep it from me when he found out I was a solari. If anything, this news would’ve made memorewilling to go with him to Filusia, as frightened as I was of being found out by the clerics back in Trova.

“Our grandfather likes to keep people in the dark unless strictly necessary,” Fairon says, and he looks a little distant. “However, I do know he’s been gathering information about Marek Caledon for several years now, constantly worried about the Temple declaring war on Filusia. He used to speak to me about his concerns, but I’m afraid I’m still catching up after being gone for so long. I didn’t know he’d decided to act on this information by bringing it to you, Princess Morgana.”

“He sees Ana as an opportunity he doesn’t want to waste,” Leon says, a bitter note in his voice. “She’s proven that she’s powerful, and even better, just by her very nature, she and Caledon are certain enemies. There’ll be no cozying up to the Ethirans with her in charge. He wants her as incentivized as possible to see the Temple fall.” Leon turns to me. “What else did he tell you? Did he ask you to do anything for him?”

I hesitate, glancing toward Fairon. He already looks better than he did yesterday, with more color to his face and more ease to his movements. I imagine the dryads have been hard at work.

“I’m sorry, Prince Fairon,” I say. “I didn’t ask you how you’re feeling.”

He smiles softly. “I suspect it will be a while before I’m my old self again. I barely remember the last two years, and even my memories from before then are fuzzy. But the dryads tell me they’re optimistic that with some time and healing, all will be well.”

“Fairon owes you his life, Ana,” Leon says, guessing why I hesitated before. “We can trust him.”

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