“Your son seems to think he’s above the rules of Kirrasia. We banished him, yet here he stands.” Kamari falls back on the only facts she can rely on.
“Enough!” Ever shouts over everyone, and we all stop to look at her. She helps my mother to my father before she comes to stand by my side. “Enough.” She nods to me, then stands at the edge of the steps, looking out at the Kirrians who have gathered. “Most of you only know me as that name—the Fifth that came from Estereah and nothing more. You’ll have heard whispers, been frightened about what it means to have a powerful Kirrian with a magic so few know about. That’s because we have all been lied to. All of us. Time and time again.” She pulls her gaze directly at Kamari. “All in the name of power. All in the name of keeping the people with power at the top. Nobody is innocent, and everyone has accusations to throw. You are the lucky ones. Standing here after many have died.” Grumbles and talk stir from her audience. “There is only one person who knows thetruth. The whole truth. And it’s only she that should be listened to. Everyone else has too much to lose to be believed.”
Kamari edges backwards, as more people rush out from the smaller door to the Tower—and Rowan is at the front.
He charges, drawing his sword as if we are all his enemy. Azur and Ravi are among the others he’s drafted to attack.
“Ever!” I shout, already backing up to her.
The crowd responds, screaming and crying at the new threat, with the Warriors moving to surround the people. Kamari retreats, her Guards circling her in an instant. And I’m next to Ever, pulling her away from the charge. As I tuck her behind my back, I turn to face the Custodian, knowing full well he’ll be vying for her, but my father’s frame lunges forward, his own sword catching Rowan’s and pushing him back.
My father’s strength overpowers Rowan’s in only a few strokes. “You dare raise a blade against my son!” he bellows at his past commander.
Rowan’s sword skitters out of his hand and skids over the stones.
He pulls back his arms, and I recognise the move. He’s going to kill him.
“Wait!” I shout. “Don’t kill him. There’s no benefit in more death.” Rowan’s attack was foolish and rash, but if more die before we have the full picture, the full extent of who betrayed us, we’ll never be able to move forward.
My father pulls his sword, but then, with his other arm, swings his fist and punches Rowan in the face, sending him to the floor. He goes down hard before turning over and getting to his knees.
He looks right at Ever. “You should be dead. That was what they asked for, and I made sure the right people were in the right places to see to it.”
“Sorry to disappoint.”
I reach for her hand, unable to believe she’s fine and unharmed, wrestling to keep my panic from rising again.
The Warriors contain the rest of his band of would-be attackers, and I stare directly at Azur and Ravi. Both of their faces are filled with rage, promising that this won’t be over.
After everything, they still see Ever as a symbol to rise against because she has power, and others don’t. Only she doesn’t. Not now.
She’s alive, but neither of us has our magic.
His stare—his hatred—reminds me that it’s not safe, and I’m done risking our lives. We’ve done enough.
We must have done enough.
“Rigel. We need to get back to the apartments. Mother, it’s not safe. We need to take you somewhere safe.” My insistence draws everyone’s attention, including my father’s.
“Of course, Master Ciro.” Rigel starts to lead her back towards the main doors into the Tower.
“She will go nowhere with you.” My father lets my mother and Rigel pass, but blocks my retreat with Ever.
“I won’t have this fight with you, Father. She is coming inside.”
“She is dangerous. It was Aerith, her power that turned Elex, and it cost him. He caused all this destruction.”
“Ever isn’t to blame!” I bawl at him. “Do you know everything we’ve done to protect Kirrasia? You are so trapped in the past, and the lies you’ve built in the name of never letting it happen again—can’t you see that?” My voice howls over him, over everyone. “Let us pass!”
The courtyard distils into quiet over the chaos, but as I pant through my anger, the intimidating rhythm of a stick striking the cobbles rings out around us.
Everyone in Kirrasia recognises that noise.
Ever pulls her hand from mine and turns towards the courtyard.
“Ever?” People part slowly, making way for the Maker, accompanied by her Triune.
Behind them, General Aster and two other Warriors provide the escort. Calix, Lyle, Kyra, Raiden, and Capella follow behind them. All of them safe.
