Page 71 of Crown of Hearts
I saw the wheels turning in her head. “Except the moment it’s revealed that Norrandale is in possession of these stones, you are going to have every kingdom on the continent trying to conquer us. And that’s not even to mention the complication of the magical objects.”
“Do you think anyone could use the stones to make more objects?”
“I don’t know. We don’t even know what kind of magic was used and if it still exists. Unless the smith who did it documented it somewhere. But it’s probably not impossible.”
“This is a lot to take in.”
“I don’t know how to protect youandmy peopleand,well... this.”
“Protect me? Cai, if what you say is true, we have to do everything in our power to make sure no one ever finds out about this. If it gets into the wrong hands...”
“I was naive enough to believe that the peace treaty with Argon meant the end of it, an end to the fighting and the violence. But now King Aries has been sending spies into Norrandale and after the whole ordeal with Lance...” I trailed off, leaning back against one of the cave walls.
“This is why you were so upset that I’d left Lance in charge after everything that happened? You’re afraid he’s going to try and come after it again if he finds out the truth?”
I nodded slowly.
“I can’t believe I’ve been so ignorant.”
“What does that make me? If my grandmother hadn’t told me, I never would have found out about all of this. I would have only believed them to be stories like everyone else.”
“I guess that’s kind of the point.”
I sent a small smile her way and Elara surprised me by taking my hand again as we emerged from the mouth of the mountain. The forest and hills beyond were ready to greet us with an autumn breeze and insects buzzing, while our horses grazed in the distance.
“Cai, tell me I’m not the only one who thinks the stones look astoundingly similar to the ones in the necklace and the dagger?”
The first time I’d been to the cave, I was so overwhelmed by what I’d discovered that I did not bother to think beyond it. Thestones used in those two objects were small and delicate with a rosy hue, evident especially when in direct sunlight.
“It could be possible. But I don’t know.” I didn’t want to believe it. The only thing worse than having to protect a mine full of jewels from the world was having the magical objects those jewels were forged into identified by the wrong people.
“There is something else,” I added.
“Why do I have a feeling that I’m not going to like what you’re about to say?” She picked up her horse’s reins. I took hold of her hips to aid in lifting her on to the horse’s back. She grinned, as we both knew she did not need my help.
“I think there’s a good reason the objects have remained undiscovered for so long. Though my grandmother isn’t certain about what or where the objects are, she gave me a serious warning. The danger of the objects lies in the fact that they possess an ancient magic which no one knows how to control. While it may give you protection and great power, especially for one who has possession of all three objects at the same time, in order to balance the scales, it will take away from you too.”
I mounted my horse and we proceeded at a brisk walk until we reached the trail that led back into the woods.
“In what sense will it take away from you?”
“I’m not sure. But I have a feeling that the more power you use, the higher the price will be. Like I said, we have no understanding of the magic. It can be very unpredictable.”
Elara swallowed hard. “If the dagger is one of the objects, and I’m not saying it is, but if it’s one of the objects...” I watched her mentally wrestle with everything she’d learned.
“Cai, I wished for your life when I was holding the dagger that night.”
“I know.” And as much as I wanted to say I wished she hadn’t, it would have been a lie. I wasn’t ready to die. “But as you said, we have no proof the dagger is one of the objects.”
We continued walking the horses, with no rush to get back to the palace. Once we’d left the mountain ranges behind us, I felt the eerie feeling depart, and something more like comfort replaced it. Something I only felt when I was with Elara. The moment I stepped back through those doors, not only would I have to deal with my guards, who probably thought I’d gone missing, but I’d be bombarded with my royal duties and responsibilities when the only thing I really wanted to do was sleep. It felt as though I hadn’t slept in a week.
“I’m worried about you, Cai,” Elara said suddenly, as if she’d been reading my mind.
“I’m fine. There have just been so many things that require my attention.”
“Which is why I’m worried,” she continued. “You’re not sleeping, you’re hardly eating. You’re carrying too much on your shoulders.”
“I hadn’t realised you’d been paying such close attention to me.”
