Elyria could feel the focused stares of her friends, and she brushed off the whisper of embarrassment she felt creeping along her shoulders. She and Cedric had claimed each other. They were soul-tied. She needed to own that fact. “I think it is different. Our magic has always felt linked, calling to each other, even before.”
Her and Cedric’s mutual glow faded as she spoke the words aloud, like it was settling back inside them. Realization struck. “It’s because you are Daephinia’s grandson, isn’t it? And I am Malakar’s...unintended recipient.” Her lip curled as she said the last part.
“Sunbringer and nightwielder,” said the elder. “Your magic has been trying to reunite since the Shattering.”
“Why would that be?” asked Elyria. “Especially if Daephinia’s magic is what destroyed Malakar? Wouldn’t each of our magics have rejected the other, rather than be constantly drawing us together?”
Elder Larkess’ expression softened. “Because destruction was never Aurelia’s intention when she granted humans the ability to wield magic.”
Elyria blinked, but it was Cedric who asked, “What do you mean?”
“Magic is about balance. Dark and light, shadow and sun. As the Guardian of Balance herself, Aurelia knew that better than any other. But when Malakar twisted the star goddess’ gift, he broke the scale.” Elder Larkess tilted her head, tapping her chin like she was deep in thought. “I do not speak for the celestials, so take from this what you will, but I believe your magic drew you toward each other because it knew that both halves needed the other in order for balance to be restored.”
Cedric exhaled. “So, the bond between us . . .”
“It is magic’s way of mending what was broken.”
Elyria’s magic stirred at the words, her shadows thrumming as if in affirmation.
Another beat of silence fell over the group—not shocked this time, not full of expectancy. Reverential. Awestruck.
Elyria cleared her throat. “So, what now? We came here looking for answers about Princess Selenae and the missing half of the crown.We found them.”
“They just weren’t anything like we could have imagined,” Cedric said.
“Right. And now we know that the other half of the crownissomewhere out there in the world, we just have no idea where. It may be hidden in the form of a locket, but are we supposed to just, I don’t know, let it be?” Elyria had held onto the dream of filling the Chasms and repairing the continent for some time. She wasn’t sure she was ready to let go of it yet.
Cedric frowned. “In the Sanctum, Aurelia told us that we could use one half of the crown to find the other. If we still had possession of the first half”—multiple heads turned to glare at Zephyr, who was still staring at the ground—“maybe we could have used it to find the other piece.”
Elyria made a face.
“What?” Cedric asked.
“I mean, she said, ‘One piece will lead you to the other,’ ” Elyria corrected. “Technically, she didn’t say a piece ofwhat.”
Elder Larkess nodded. “As with prophecy, you cannot always take what celestials say at face value. Perhaps she was talking about the two of you coming together.”
“I don’t know about that,” Elyria said with a scoff. “I think if that’s what she meant, she wouldn’t have been so stars-damned surprised when Cedric came back to life.”
“A phoenix risen,” said the elder, awe and pride beaming from her as she looked Cedric over. “If only your mother could be here to see it.”
Cedric’s throat bobbed. “Can you locate her locket? You said it’s tied to you, to your magic. Can you sense where it is?”
“Alas, I cannot,” she answered. “Knowing how valuable it was meant burying its true nature so deep that even the most talented of magic wielders would never know what it really was.” The elder released a weary sigh. “Again, doing so was not without cost. Between the magic needed to transfigure the crown and maintain my glamour, I had little to spare. It’s why I couldn’t...There was nothing I could do that night. I am sorry.”
Cedric shook his head. “I spent a lot of timeblaming others for my parents’ deaths.” He glanced at Elyria, his expression forlorn. But before she even had a chance to speak, to send reassurance down the bond that she never held his fears or his blame against him, he continued. “I know now that the fault lies only with the cultists who actually cut them down, and the man who sent them there. I blame no one but Varyth Malchior, for all the sins he has committed.” His eyes burned with golden fire, and Elyria nodded against the tightness in her throat.
“Then Malchior should be the focus of your vengeance,” said Larkess. “Even without the crown, he is a blight on this world. He must be stopped.”
“And he has his eyes on Cedric.” Elyria’s fist curled at her side.
“Yes.” Elder Larkess glanced at Shep and Jocelyn, her wizened brow furrowing. “What I have been told of your encounter in Dawnspire disturbs me for this reason. I am not so certain the crown is even what he seeks anymore.”
50
BIG FEELINGS
ELYRIA
