“It’s freeing, and also… not.” He glances at the guards ahead of us.
“You preferred being without it?”
“No, it’s not that. But the Fae on the continent rely heavily on their abilities. Not like on Alyssium, where that isn’t an option. Alyssium helped sharpen other senses, and it made me stronger in a different way. I don’t want to forget that. Especially now that it might be necessary sooner than we’d all like.”
“With magic dying?”
He nods. “There are places where it’s already less prominent, so those who have depended on it are weakening quicker than they would be otherwise.”
“Like in Rohldova?” I ask, remembering the map the king showed me.
Rohldova stretches the southeast border of Lyrichia, which means it’s closest to the Well.
I’m still wrapping my mind around just how vast Lyrichia is. Growing up, Alyssium was the center of the realm to me, butthat’s nowhere near the case. Lyrichia has many territories. Lands, temples, forests. An entire realm I’m tasked with saving when I’ve barely seen any of it.
“Northeast Rohldova was hit the hardest by the Collision. That area emptied shortly after the initial impact, and the few that stayed died within the first century. The battlefront is farther south now.”
“So there is an active battle happening?” My eyebrows pinch. “When Wilder and the king were talking, they made it sound like traveling through the Arches is unpredictable. I can see a few rebels slipping through, but an entire army?”
“The battle is between us and the creatures crawling out of the Well.” Callum pauses at my door, the rest of the guards keeping their distance. “Although there are still battles with rebels when they manage to slip through. The Arches are unpredictable but not impossible to use. At least, not between Lyrichia and Vaelier. Vaelier loses many each time they send a surge, but it’s worth it to them.”
“To save their king?”
He nods. “Desperation makes loss more tolerable. They’ll do anything to protect their Crown, just as we will.”
“Yet King Malachi lets Wilder stay in his palace? He houses the enemy to our realm beneath his roof.”
“Even the king has no choice in that. Not now that Wilder is free.”
“Wilder is that strong?”
“Stronger.” He drags his hand through his dark hair, swallowing hard. “And he wants to destroy us. Don’t forget that.”
“What are you implying?”
Callum stands tall, taking a step back. “You’re trusting, Elorie. I admire that about you, but Wilder is the enemy. No matter what he tries to convince you of between now and the full moon, he can’t be trusted. He has slaughtered entire villages. Innocents inthis war. Children. He did not go down without a fight a century ago, and I have no doubt we are about to see history repeat itself. Do not trust him, no matter what side he shows you. His charm buries his thirst for vengeance, and there is no shortage of blood on his hands.”
“I’m not that easily manipulated. At least, not anymore. I learned my lesson. Father seemed to think I could trust you, and look how that turned out.” It might be harsh, but I’m still bitter.
Callum’s jaw tightens. “You can trust me.”
“But no one else?”
“The Fae realm isn’t what you’re used to back home.”
“I’ve lived my entire life in a Fae realm, Callum.”
“On a human island. There’s a difference. The Fae on Alyssium protected you because they needed something from you. Here, it’s not that simple.”
“It seems to me thathereit is that simple. They need me just as much, if not more.”
Callum’s fingers brush the back of my elbow. He’s standing so close, I can’t help that my gaze falls to his full lips. That my belly swims with every thought I’ve tried to deny I’m harboring toward him. No matter how angry I am at him right now.
He swallows hard. “Things used to be simpler. The rules clearer. As the realms fuse, confusion swells. Not just in the royal lines, but within magic itself. I need you to promise me you’ll be careful. Many are desperate right now.”
“I know desperation. And I know how to fight to survive,” I remind him as his grip tightens.
It doesn’t hurt, but I sense him holding on in more ways than one. Physically trying to protect me when so much of this is out of our control. Fear blooms in his eyes. It’s hard to imagine Callum scared of anything.
