Page 49 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood
At least, Elara knew her own mind and trusted her instincts enough to question what Silus had said.
I drew back enough to see her face as I shifted my hand to hold hers. “They resent her for her success in the competition, and they want to make sure that I marry the bride of their choice instead of mine and Fate’s.”
Should I admit my suspicions about Kaylen?
Not with Silus here.
“And you’re certain she wasn’t involved at all?” Her brows knitted together.
“You shouldn’t ask him that.” Silus stepped closer to her once more. “He’s too biased to see the risk she brings to the kingdom and to us.”
Anger boiled through my veins. Putting Silus in his place would only upset my sister further, but Iwouldaddress this as soon as possible.
“Says the moron who keeps speaking out of turn as if he wants to die.” Thalen patted his sword, making it clear whose side he was on.
Elara’s bottom lip trembled. She didn’t like it when people she cared about fought.
I had to bring the focus back to Elara. Not because I didn’t want Thalen and Silus to argue—I couldn’t care less if they did—but I refused to upset my sister more than she already was. “Briar is entirelyinnocentin this. The plot has always been about gaining influence in our court.” Beyond what they already had.
My thoughts landed on Kaylen, and I shuddered. I suspected her to be a plant, and thinking about crowning her queen made me want to burn my kingdom to the ground.
“I... I will start preparing the funeral.” Drawing back, Elara gripped her robe tighter. “We’ll have to have it for your vestment and the preparation for the coronation. We can’t have a wedding before we lay Father to rest.” She sniffled and blinked. “Have you given any thought to the funeral?”
I paused to get hold of my emotions before answering. “Not beyond cutting the flowers from Mother’s garden for the ceremonial wreath and the enshrouding.” I missed my father dearly. We’d finally been mending our relationship, which had become strained after Mother’s death. Losing him hurt, and remembering Mother caused my heart to feel as if it might implode. “I agree with you regarding the timing.”
“Father would like the flowers. He…he used to love them almost as much as she did. I was always encouraging him to go there.” She bit her lower lip and rubbed her eyes with her robe. “The sarcophagus Mother is buried in is large enough for two, and he wanted to be placed beside her. I have the sashes that Mother wove for both of them. And then the soulshard orbs.”
Of course she would want those. Fate was not on my side at the moment.
Bracing myself, I looked her in the eye. “I’m afraid that last one isn’t possible.”
Thalen cleared his throat, adding to my tension.
Silus's jaw clenched.
“I try not to ask for much, but this means a lot to me.” She pressed a hand to my arm. “I know it’s selfish of me because those orbs mean a great deal to you as well, but they were so special to Father and Mother. He had them made just for them. Each orb had traces of both their magic and represented their strengths and skills, and the way they brought focus and peace to one another in such distinct ways. Now that they’ve been…reunited, shouldn’t that reminder be placed with them as well?”
I flinched. I wished my shadows could hide me. The last thing I wanted was to upset Elara more, but Briar’s safety took priority. “Perhaps in time, but not now.”
“You would refuse me this request?” Her brow wrinkled as she stared at me. “It would mean so much to me. It would signifythat Father and Mother are together again, and be a reminder of how much they loved each other.”
“The sashes will do that as well.” A pang of guilt struck me, but Briar’s safety was worth the steep price.
“I don’t think I even recognize you anymore.” Silus grimaced and stared down at me accusingly. His withering look was one thing I admired about him when he turned it on others, but this time, he was in the wrong and speaking disrespectfully to his king’s heir.
“I had to take steps to ensure Briar did not wind up dead or tortured further. And I have every intention of getting the orb back.”
“She’s beentortured?” Elara shook her head in confusion. “What—why? Father abolished interrogations involving torture. And what does that have to do with the orbs?”
“The Aurelines arrested Briar immediately and dragged her to an Aureline prison. Some of the council members involved with the bridal competition are behind framing her. We all have to be exceptionally careful.” It didn’t seem wise to tell her everything with Silus here. It was a cruel tragedy that, in this, I couldn’t count on him as I once had, and I couldn’t share everything with my sister, but it was what it was.
“So…you gave someone our parents’ soulshard orbs?” Elara’s eyebrows shot upward. “Why? How do you know that they won’t use them for something dreadful? Those orbs hold so much power, and if someone is hurt by them, it will be an insult to Mother! That goes against everything she stands for. And Father too.” Her blue eyes sparked with anger.
The way Elara looked at me made me want to cover my face in shame. I wished I could’ve found another bargaining chip, but the orb was the best one I’d had. “The person I gaveoneto is involved in great treachery and must be exposed. He is connected to Father’s death, and I will uncover how. I can’t saymuch more than that. But please, trust me, Elara. It was the best option I had to secure the outcome we need.” Or that I needed. Without Briar, I was falling apart, and it wasn’t just because of the vested magic.
“Why not use a false one? We have plenty of other orbs that are far less sentimental.” She frowned.
“He would have identified an imitation. He has enough magic and awareness to recognize the power in one of those orbs. It had to be tempting enough for him to take it.”
