“Not that I’ve learned of,” Eddie replied. “Though I wouldn’t expect to become a Grand Master. Not inside my role.”
I frowned. “Just because you’re a guard doesn’t mean you can’t develop special talents.”
“You misunderstand,” Eddie said. “It’s not about my training. It’s what I was born into— as all Elves are born into a specific calling. It’s why we’re able to operate so efficiently without money. Everyone has their calling, which they would lay their life down for. Take Elvira, for instance. It would be an insult to suggest she do anything but bake pastries, because she loves to cook and wouldn’t have it any other way. I was born to serve the Emperor and act as his bodyguard.”
“Is that what you truly want, though?” Ava asked curiously.
“Yes,” Eddie said, like he couldn’t imagine anything else. “I would die for my master.”
Cheers became louder as we approached the palace, and the sound of trumpets came from above. The air shifted as we entered a large foyer.
Beside me, Ava slowed. “That chandelier is incredible. I’ve never seen so many rare gems.”
“It is quite nice, isn’t it?” Eddie mentioned.
We continued on through the halls of the palace, and Ava narrated the decor for me. “It’s even more grand than the Orenda Academy castle. Everything is plated in gold, and the archways are carved so intricately. I can only imagine how long it took them to build.”
We slowed, and Eddie exchanged a few words with someone. I heard a pair of doors open, and Eddie led us into a large hall. At the head of the throne room, someone drew a sharp breath.
“Your highness,” Eddie addressed the man. “May I present to you Charles Wahkin, son of Cameron Wahkin... and legacy to the throne.”
I froze.What the helldid he just say?
Eddie grabbed my arm and nudged me forward. “Charlie, say something.”
“I… what?” I scrambled for the words, but Icouldn’thave heard him right.
Ava’s breath wavered. “Did you just call Charlie…?”
“The prince, essentially,” Eddie said proudly.
The man at the front of the room stood from his throne and approached me. “Charlie, it’s so nice to finally meet you. I am Emperor Cassiel— your grandfather.”
My mouth gaped open, but I choked on my words. This wasn’t possible. All my life, I thought my whole birth family had died. To find that they hadn’t… it just about shattered my world. It didn’t quite feel real.
“No way. Charlie can’t be—” Kallie’s words halted in her tracks, as if something just clicked.
“But Charlie…” Marcus trailed off. We were all so shocked, none of us could find the words.
My head spun, and I placed my palm to my forehead. “This can’t be.”
“It is true,” Eddie said. “The Elven prophecy has finally been fulfilled.”
My blood ran cold at the mention of yetanotherprophecy. I could hardly speak. “The… prophecy?”
“Long ago, at the end of the Great Supernatural War, a prophecy was given,” Emperor Cassiel explained. “The emperor’s legacy will return, and bring light to a new dawn.It is you— my grandson— who will save the Elves.”
“B-but I’m not an Elf. I’m an Elementai,” I stammered. I was in denial, because I already knew I had to have Elf blood to get through the doorway to Forevermore. But… the emperor’sgrandson? He had to be lying, or at the very least, mistaken. How could he be my grandfather?
“You are both,” Emperor Cassiel said.
I didn’t believe it. But at the same time, it made so much sense. Eddie had said Elves could siphon powers from other magical races— like how I could siphon Ava’s powers and use them. We’d already discussed that this went beyond our bond. I knew I’d won so many of my fights because of my Elven powers. I’d been siphoning strength from my opponents without realizing it.
And then there was the fact that noxite didn’t affect me as much as it did everyone else. I knew it had something to do with being a demigod, but I could break through it easier than any of my demigod friends. It was because of my Elf blood. IknewI was an Elf since the moment I opened that door.
But… the prince? That just took things a step too far. It was easier to deny it all than accept pieces of it as the truth.
You cannot deny this, Oberi said, for only me to hear.
