Page 133 of Queen of Legends and Lies
Silence descends, heavy and absolute.
Because we all know the terrible truth.
Dowager Queen Alannah would’ve been the perfect ally. But we’re too late in our discoveries. If Celeste hadn’t betrayed us, I would’ve learned about this from Eldor. If Serle hadn’t betrayed us, Celeste would’ve stayed in the dungeon, and Alannah would be alive. Sharing a meal with us and plotting how to win this war. Giving us her quiet wisdom and the benefit of her experiences. She was always there at our backs when we needed her.
There’s no replacing her. And yet, we need to find someone who can stand with us in her stead.
A sudden knock jolts me from my bleak thoughts. The guard leans into the room, his armor glinting in the firelight. “Councilor Rafe Bennett to see you, Your Majesty.”
Rafe strides into the room, face devoid of the disapproval he usually reserves for me. What in Ziva’s name is he doing here?
Before I can voice the question, Sterling’s fingers brush against my hand. “I asked Rafe to join us. We need his help, Lark.”
I bristle, my opinion of the council still smarting from last night’s betrayal. Three of them turned on us, ready to hand our kingdom to the enemy on a silver platter. But even though Rafe has seemed skeptical of my abilities since day one, I have to admit he was never truly the problem.
Schooling my features, I meet his caramel-colored eyes. “Councilor Bennett, we’re planning an invasion of Aclaris. To strike at the very heart of the corruption destroying our lands.” I lift my chin, holding his gaze. “Will you join us?”
I brace myself for excuses, for the same rhetoric he’s spouted in countless council meetings. The need for caution, to shy away from outright conflict.
To my astonishment, Rafe simply shrugs his broad shoulders. “I will.” At my blatant surprise, a wry smile tugs at his lips. “And I owe you an apology, Your Highness. I misjudged you and your ability to lead our kingdom. You may be young, but I realize now there’s more to leading than age. And after witnessing you in action last night? Seeing the strength of the team at your back? I’m ready to lend my magic, my blades, my life, anything you need to defend our people.”
Shock can hardly describe the emotions jolting through me.
As his words sink in, I find myself humbled by his conviction. And if I’m being honest, Rafe’s had good reason notto trust me. I was so focused on being the lone savior, I nearly doomed us all. But this fight is bigger than I am. It always has been.
Prophecy be damned. I can’t do this on my own.
“Thank you, Rafe.” I shake off my guilt and astonishment. “Welcome to the team.” Relief washes over me. We found our air elemental.
A grin splits his face, transforming the usually stern planes. “Excellent. Now, what’s first on the agenda?”
I spend the next few minutes filling Rafe in on our plans.
Then, Bastian glances up from the pile of Eldor’s notes, his face alight with discovery. He turns to Leesa and murmurs something too low to catch. With a nod, she tugs the cord by the door. A maid enters within moments.Had she been waiting in the hall?Leesa presses a folded note into her hand and sends her off with a whispered command.
As she hurries away, Bastian clears his throat and consults the parchment. “To begin the merging process, we’ll need a few specific items.”
I lean forward, the thrill of purpose chasing away the specter of doubt. “Tell us everything.”
Bastian’s eyes flick across the pages, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Merging two elements can be done on the fly, without preparation. But three or more?” He shakes his head. “It’s far more complex.”
Around the room, understanding dawns on every face. We’ve all witnessed the monster created by unbridled power, as well as the destructive nature too much unchecked magic exerts on a human body. That’s what ultimately kills eyril addicts.
“The merge requires freely given permission, rooted in mutual trust and respect.” Bastian looks at each of us in turn. “It’s a bond that cannot be forced or faked, a failsafe to prevent those in power from stealing or enslaving others’ abilities fortheir own gain. Attempting to force such a bond on an unwilling party would backfire catastrophically, resulting in injury or even death. First, we need to forge a blood pact. An ancient Tirenese tradition lost when House Barda took the throne.”
The magic in our veins. The very essence of our power. All things considered, a blood pact feels right, deep down in my bones.
Wait a minute. Did he just say…when House Barda took the throne?
Sterling and I knew about that from Jasper, but no one else was supposed to know…except Eldor.
I look at the others. Agnar doesn’t seem surprised. Or maybe he doesn’t care. Rafe is glancing from Sterling—the last of the direct line of Barda rulers—to Bastian to me. Then he shrugs again.
I turn to the others, my voice steady with resolve. “Knox, for water. Agnar, for earth. Rafe, for air. Me, for fire. Rafe, how do you feel about learning something from a time when the Bardas weren’t the royal family?”
He frowns and rubs the stubble on his chin. “I’m not worried about it. That wasn’t all that long ago. I don’t think the basics of magic have changed since then.”
“Not that long?” Rafe is shocking me with his every comment.
