Page 69 of Crown of Iron
Leif sits in the center of the cornflower blue sofa, spreading his arms along the back and crossing one leg over the other. I move to the center of the room as Kyron settles in one of the two white and blue striped winged-back chairs. They watch me as I fidget, searching for the best way to start the conversation.
With a deep breath, I turn to Kyron and say, “I know where the Eporri is located.”
Leif speaks up before Kyron gets a chance. “The E-what?”
As I sigh and close my eyes to collect myself, Kyron explains what we found in the journals. He doesn't leave anything out about the stones, detailing what they look like and how their powers work. The men discuss how the Statera meant for the Eporri and Posseda to make Pliris formidable among the other four kingdoms and how they were divided. The only thing Kyron doesn't know is that I possess one half of the power.
The moment I realized what I possessed, relief washed over me. For weeks, I’ve dreaded telling Micah that I’ve come into my power, that the prophecy he was given all those years ago about a powerless ruler wasn’t true. All his hopes and dreams for Lucent were tied to those words. To me.
Unfortunately, that calm I found in realizing I’m still a Cyffred was short lived.
“You think that's what she wants?” Leif asks, drawing me out of my thoughts.
“I know that's what she wants. Like Kyron said, Micah took it out of Stigian without her knowing. If she had both stones, she would be the stronger ruler, but he put them on an even playing field.”
“If that's the case, you can't intend to give it to her, Elle,” Leif says, leaning forward in his seat.
It must sound irrational to them, a distraught daughter willing to sacrifice anything for her father. But I know what the Eporri is capable of, and yes, it will make her the more powerful ruler, but not undefeatable. She hasn't been in contact with this power in over three decades. Wielding it myself, I understand how difficult it is to master.
“I do intend to give it to her,” I say.
Leif curls his lip and shakes his head. “You have pulled some crazy stunts, but this?—”
“Where is the Eporri, Raelle?” Kyron asks.
“It has taken me almost my entire life to understand the gift living in me. I thought everyone felt the trembles of power whenever they were close to a Khiros. It wasn't me sensing it, it was the stone awakening. The stronger the gift, the bigger its response.” I reach for the hem of my nightgown and lift the right side to the top of my hip. “I'm not a Cantor, just a Cyffred hiding one of the Sacred Gifts of the Statera.”
Leif's jaw drops and he breathes, “How? Why?”
“I'm guessing Micah thought it was the last place she would look, and according to the journal, heirs should become acclimated to it. Micah and Esmeray were exposed to the stones as infants, and apparently so was I.”
“Shit.” Leif leans back on the sofa again, staring at my leg.
Kyron runs his hand over his face and releases a long breath. “You can't give it to her.”
I drop the hem of my nightgown. “I'm not going to just give it to her.”
“What do you mean?”
As I waited for them to arrive at my quarters, I spent the time alone playing out all the possibilities. I can't have someone here remove the stone. Word would surely get back to Micah. The army's surgeons were a possibility, but what's to say I hand the stone over to Esmeray and shedoesn't let me or my father leave. That leaves me with one option.
“Once Esmeray lets my father leave Stigian, I'll let her surgeons remove the stone,” I say.
Kyron leaps from the chair. “That's insane. You've completely lost your fucking mind, Raelle! Not only will she destroy us all if you give it to her, but she won’t let you go. She very well could have you killed on the operating table, and Micah's line will die with you.”
“I'm going to have to agree with Kyron on this one,” Leif says, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at me like my words are a personal attack on him.
“We’ll still have time to overthrow her before she harnesses its full potential. She will need to acclimate to it again,” I say, with desperation saturating my voice. Time is running out for my father, and I need a sign that I have one ally in the fight I'm about to face.
“Listen to yourself!” Kyron bellows. “You're willing to risk every single person in this kingdom for one man.”
“Yes. Yes, I am!” I wince at my words and the weight of their selfishness crashes down on me. I can hardly catch my next breath, and the lack of oxygen makes my head spin.
Stupid. Everything I'm saying is so selfishly stupid. I want my father back, but I shouldn't sacrifice my entire kingdom for him. Every time we move forward the path is riddled with curves and bumps which are impossible to navigate. I can't see the end, and only desperate measures seem to make sense. We can speed up the process of saving my father and still have time to face the consequences.
But if we fail, it will mean the end of my kingdom.
Kyron looks up at the ceiling and takes several controlled breaths. “I love Abrum too, Raelle. I'd give my life for him, but?—”
