Page 68 of Crown of Iron
The sovereign who holds the Posseda can drain the power of Khiros and Cyffreds alike, temporarily using their energy to magnify the gifts of the Posseda's possessor. When the sovereign places the stone in flowing water, its power runs with the current and can be shared. Setting a wet hand to another's skin will allow them to siphon the power from the one touched. Once one's power has left the body throughthe Posseda, it cannot be returned.
Kyron's fingers dig into my hips, and I look back at him, saying, “That's how the Stigians do it.”
“Yeah,” he says.
“That's not what I was expecting. I thought it might be more intimate.”
A wave of relief washes over me. It was one of my greatest fears that Esmeray was using my father in unspeakable ways. Not that siphoning his power isn't grotesque in itself. But to think that she has laid hands on him in a way he did not want. I hate to imagine it.
I move on to the caption on the other page.
The Eporri allows the possessing sovereign to control the power of others, manipulating it as they wish. This Sacred Gift takes more time to master but is just as powerful, if not more so, than the Posseda. There are no known amplifiers for the Eporri; its power can only affect one person at a time and can be used by Khiros and Cyffreds alike.
These stones are intended for the rulers of Pliris and their heirs only. They must be trained to hone the gifts from infancy so they may slowly acclimate to the power with their own. Wielding them without small exposure and practice will cause dependency, the likes of which are so addictingno oneonly one has ever overcome them.
Kyron stiffens behind me, and I note howno onehas a single line through it, and in newer ink, it reads:only one.
I turn to face him as he swallows and stares at the words. Running a hand over the back of his neck, I say, “You've overcome the impossible, Kyron LeFur.”
“Barely,” he whispers.
Gently, I tug his hair until his eyes find mine. “Barely was enough. I'm happy it was enough.”
His lips lift in a half-hearted smile. “Me too.”
I kiss the tip of his nose and return my attention to the journal.
Together the Posseda and Eporri are the Sacred Gifts of the Statera, used to anoint the next sovereign of the Pliris kingdom and bestowed upon them at the time of coronation. They are to be used to provide protection, prosperity, and balance to the land.
I always thought the Statera blessed Esmeray and Micah with exceptional gifts that lived inside them. It never occurred to me that what granted them an elevated status was held in the palms of their hands.
I read the last lines on the page; one Micah separated from all the rest.
At the time of the kingdom's division, we also divided the Sacred Gifts between King and Queen. By my doing. I took the Eporri without consulting my sister first. She wanted to keep both in Stigian's sanctuary where they resided for millennia, making her the more powerful ruler. I've hidden the Eporri with the hopes of never needing to use the more powerful of the gifts. But if the time comes, it will be in safe, capable hands.
I turn my attention to the second hand-drawn picture and my eyes widen. A perfectly sketched multi-color disc with the shape of a flower embossed in the center. My palm slides to the side of my thigh and the odd scar I've always despised and kept hidden most of my life. I follow every stroke of the pencil with my eyes as my finger traces the bumps on my skin. Stroke for stroke, the ten petals on the page match those on my leg.
I have what Esmeray wants.
I close the journal, stack it with the rest, and stand. “I know what Esmeray wants.”
“What?” Kyron asks, following me to the cabinet.
One by one, I place the books in the order I found them, taking advantage of the distraction. My thoughts are a jumbled mess, and I need a moment to sort them and devise my next move. The only things I know for sure are that I have the Eporri, and Kyron won’t let me trade myself in the place of my father. I need a rational voice to put this allinto perspective for the both of us. Someone who understands the importance of saving my father and finding the best plan to accomplish it.
I lock the cabinet and walk back to the desk to return the key to its hiding place.
“Raelle?” Even in the dim light, the concern in Kyron's eyes blazes.
“I need you to find Leif and for the two of you to meet me in my room. Will you do that for me, please?”
As we exit Micah's study, he says, “Yes.”
“Thank you,” I whisper before kissing him on the cheek. “Oh! And can you hand this to him?” I place the key to Micah's office in his palm.
“As you wish, Your Grace.”
Minutes later, a soft tap comes from my door. I finish placing another log on the fire and hurry across the sitting room to let Kyron and Leif in. Both men wear worried expressions as they carefully examine me, and I cross my arms over my chest, wishing I'd thought to change out of my nightgown and robe. But my mind hasn't veered far from what I need to say to them.
