Page 59 of Heir Of Sun And Moon
“At the risk of sounding vulnerable to another kingdom, consider this a show of our good faith,” he starts, speaking slowly, as if this is a rehearsed speech. The slight nod from his advisor silently confirms that it probably is. “We believe there to be a blight on the magic in our kingdom. It is acting strangely and has been for some time.”
I hate that his words pique my interest. And the interest of the council behind me, if the shuffling feet and bodies I can feel moving closer are any indication.
“In exchange for our silence, we would request that one of your strongest mages come and help us figure out how to fix the affliction.”
“And how would one of our people be able to help?” my father queries, a line forming between his brows.
“Is mage magic not the rawest form of magic in our realms?” the shifter king asks, his advisor nodding subtly next to him. “And are mages not known for their ability to control and manipulate that magic?”
“It is,” my father answers slowly. Though he of course leaves out the fact that the raw magic of our kingdom is dwindling.
“That is my price: keeping your secret safe in exchange for the time of one of your mages to help with our problem. It feels like you’re getting the better end of the deal, does it not?” He lifts a mocking brow, and gods above, I want to knock that look right off his face. I don’t realize how tightly I’m squeezing my hands together until pain lances my palms from where my nails are digging in.
Hadrik and Kallin step up to my father’s sides, whispering in his ear as the shifters look on. After a few moments of discussion, the councilmen step back and my father leans in to whisper something into my mother’s ear. Her gaze slants to him as she listens intently, thinking on something before imperceptibly nodding her head.
“We would like to suggest an additional condition to our deal,” my father proposes. King Kai and his advisor glance at each other briefly before the king gestures for my father to continue. “I’ll get straight to the point—we have a potential problem on our hands from one of the neighboring kingdoms.”
“What sort of problem?” Tua questions. “And with which kingdom?”
I can practically hear the council members holding their breath in anticipation of my father’s pause.
“I am waiting for my son to confirm what he has found there before I give names. I don’t claim to be perfect, and there is a chance—though small—that we could be wrong,” my father confesses, holding the king’s eyes. “Because of that, I’d rather not say which kingdom until I have proof. And as far as the problem, about four years ago we felt what can only be described as a blast of magic. Since then, the heavy presence has been felt in waves.” Tension lines King Kai’s face, his lips forming a straight line while his dark brows draw in. My father goes on to explain a little about what the magic felt like and why he is concerned. Enough detail for them to know we’re not lying, but not so much that it gives anything critical away. I watch the shifter king’s reaction, but he’s much better at keeping his face neutral than his advisor is. Tua’s brows shoot up his forehead as my father continues. “My son volunteered to go investigate and see if this presence is something we should be preparing for—”
“By investigate, you mean he has infiltrated another kingdom, correct?” King Kai nearly growls. His advisor briefly cuts him a look from the corner of his eye.
“He has, and I have no doubt you would have done the same had you thought your kingdom was under threat,” my father says, firm and calculating. The two men hold eye contact, a battle of two realm leaders, strong and defiant in different ways. “We might need to prepare for war if this item is capable of bringing down the Spell.”
“And is it?” King Kai asks, subtly adjusting his stance. I see more clearly that his tattoo actually starts on the back of his hand, running up his arm and going underneath the sleeve of his tunic.
“We are not sure. My son believes he has found the source of it but is confirming as we speak.”
“And what is it you believe we can do for you from the shifter isle?” he challenges, lifting his broad chin. Like he relishes the decision that our people’s fate could very well lie in his hand. It’s a move that makes me sneer involuntarily. Which in turn makes him smile, though it’s more a bearing of teeth, like a wild animal.Asshole.
“I ask that if this object is indeed strong enough to break through the Spell, enough to wage war on our kingdom, that you help bring our people to your island for safety.” I work to keep my face impartial, but the surprise of my father’s words leaves me feeling wobbly. Mages have never left in mass exodus from the kingdom. Not even for The War Of Five Kingdoms two-hundred years prior. To do so would be unprecedented.
“Is there a reason you feel you can’t defend your own people from an imaginary attack, King Sadryn?” My father bristles at his accusation, just enough to cause me to grit my teeth. “And what would be the benefit to us for doing so?” The island king continues. The advisor at his side grimaces at his tactless words. Still, he doesn’t correct his king or offer a more courteous response.
“You will not save innocent lives from the gore of war?” I ask incredulously. King Kai trains his gaze on me, but it betrays no emotion. His face is made up of hard edges and stone cold callousness. I would very much like to punch him.
“No. We have our own people to worry about. So I ask again,” he replies, the muscles of his biceps bulging as his fisted hands push into them. “What would be the benefit for us?”
“If there is something that can take down the Spell, or allow armies to pass through, do you trust they will stop at just one kingdom?” my father questions, tilting his head to the side. “Your kingdom would be just as much at risk as ours would.”
Tua leans in close, whispering something to the island king that has him tensing before giving a sharp nod. King Kai’s voice is terse as he speaks. “Then the agreement is made. We will start preparations to sail to your southern shores tomorrow with the plan to arrive in seven days’ time. Once in person, we will seal the deal in blood and the magic will choose the mage best fit to help us. Does this sound acceptable?”
My father looks to my mother for her opinion, a move that the shifter king is pleasantly surprised by if the slight tilt of his lips is any indication. When my mother nods, my father looks at me. My eyes move back and forth between him and the island king, but I know there really is no other option. If Nox believes this magical object is a threat to our kingdom’s safety, then we must do whatever we can to protect our people. So I nod my head as well and take my father’s other hand. Together as a family, with the fate of the kingdom on our shoulders, we agree to a deal with the king of the shifter isle.
Chapter Thirty: Rhea
“Rhea.”Avoicelikethe moon and stars and eons past envelopes me from every side, cradling all my broken pieces. Holding them together in a loving embrace that temporarily ceases the aching in my heart. “Wake, Rhea,” she says.
My eyes flutter open, and the illumination of infinite stars and galaxies meet them. Each flicker of starlight, each swirl of a new world draws my eye. I am mesmerized as I watch the colors bleed and blend. It’s as beautiful as it is overwhelming, and it calls to me.
“Hmm,” the lovely voice hums, a sound that reverberates through my bones. “The magic inside you grows. As it does, coming here and interacting with everything around you will become easier.” Stardust surrounds me as she speaks, each tiny speck glinting and gleaming as it twirls around my body.
I don’t respond, as I’m not sure what to say. This place—the Middle—is peaceful and magical, and it feels like a part of me recognizes it, but I can’t say why.
“Why can’t I see you?” I ask faintly. Ifeelthe woman smile, and like a vision on the edge of my mind, I can see the delicate curve of her pink lips.
