“Do you think I don’t know that?”
Her cold eyes flicker with a drop of sympathy that she quickly washes away. “What’s done is done. I’m not leaving with you, so there’s no point in you being here if you’re only doing it to try to convince me.”
“That’s not the only reason,” I remind her.
“Ah, yes. The Rite.” Selia rolls her eyes. “Don’t pretend you care about the human girl.”
“She’s powerful.”
“So I’m told.” Her voice is laced with irritation.
“Selia—” I reach for her, but she pulls back.
“Go home, Wilder. I’m where I need to be. I’m not your problem to worry about anymore.”
Voices come from down the hall, and Selia takes another step back. She smooths her hands over her shimmering dress. It’s beautiful, as to be expected with Malachi’s maids waiting on her. Everything in Lyrichia is a show. A parade of his spoils and wealth.
“Goodnight, Wilder.” Selia’s voice is polite and fake, and she’s once more avoiding my gaze.
When she turns to leave with her guards, I don’t follow. I simply watch them lead her to Malachi’s wing.
The king’s perfect little pet.
Her dress sways in the invisible breeze she carries with her. Storm clouds loom when the king isn’t around to chase them away with his magic.
A sharp inhale at my right catches my attention, and I glance over to find silvery eyes watching me. Even from across the long hall, Elorie’s freckles sparkle. Her eyes ignite. Something stirs inside her that’s unlike anything I’ve felt or seen.
I’m still not convinced she’ll learn to wield her magic before the Rite, but if she does, there’s no doubt the decimation will be magnificent.
Elorie freezes in the center of the hallway, staring at me, until her guards usher her forward, forcing her in my direction. She tugs her lower lip between her teeth, but when my stare falls to her mouth, she stops, like she thinks I’ll use that hint of her nerves against her.
She’s right.
It’s what I do. What I’m good at.
I was built to be a weapon—not a king. And now, those roles are at odds with each other.
Elorie doesn’t take her eyes off me as she walks down the hallway, surrounded by guards. The great King Malachi is protecting his precious gem, and I don’t blame him. Her magic appears boundless.
She gets closer, and I don’t miss that she’s assessing me. She squints, tiptoeing at the edges of my mind. Exploring that space that she slips into without knowing how she does it. So I open just enough for her to slide in. I’m curious what she’s looking for.
Instead of speaking to her this time, I meet her with magic. I let it crackle between us just to see how she’ll react.
Her back stiffens, but she doesn’t accept me in return. Not like in the prison when I felt something widen within her. It danced at the edges of her aura, and when it burst, it consumed everything. There’s only one thing in my existence that came close to that feeling, and the scar cutting through my cheek aches at the memory of it.
When Elorie gets closer, she shifts to the other side of Callum, putting him between us. I’ve met him a few times over the years. He’s a good soldier and loyal to his king. He glances down at Elorie walking so close to him with hope and delirium in his eyes, not realizing she isn’t seeking his comfort. She just wants an escape.
She flinches when he places his hand on her elbow to guide her. Only then do those silvery eyes stop watching me.
Only then does my mind quiet.
Chapter 13
Elorie
The morning doesn’t bringthe relief I long for. If anything, the weight of the promises I made last night hangs heavier.
Guards lead me through the palace to take me to training while Callum walks silently at my side. When he arrived this morning, he didn’t try to speak with me like he did last night. I can’t tell if it’s because the king’s guards surround us or because he’s given up.
