“Thank you,” I whisper. He squeezes my shoulder in response and backs away. I stumble, without him to lean on.
The next morning, I find my way to the springs, soaking in the hot, bubbly water, scrubbing away my troubles. Myles and Lura leave today, soon, I think. I need to say goodbye to Kali, none of this is her fault, and I understand she will go with her sister. She’s been a good friend, one I haven’t had in a while, but since arriving in Nu’cov, I’ve barely seen her. I’d never ask her to choose between me and her sister, that would be a pointlessrequest. Having Elana, I know that I would put her above all else.
Dunking my head under, I let the soothing water lap over my senses, drowning out the thoughts in my head, before I have to go back into the world. Tying my hair into a wet braid, I get dressed in the new clothes that Iza found for me, the same neutral colours most folk wear. I place the black attire Ronan gave me in the wicker basket and head down to the centre, where Myles, Lura and Kali wait with Caelan.
Marching up the path towards the open cave door, I hold out the silver ring to Myles. “This belongs to you,” I say, dropping it in his palm, retreating without a second glance.
“Andi, you have to forgive us.”
His words make me pause. “No, I don’t,” I reply over my shoulder and continue to Kali. Wyatt smirks at me, and I cock an eyebrow as I pull Kali into an embrace.
“Look after yourself.”
Kali wipes away her tears, she glances back at Lura before pulling me into a hug again, whispering,“I’m sorry. I am. If I had known, I would have put a stop to it.” Releasing me from her tight squeeze, she says, “I’m going back to Cyvail. I hope I see you again, maybe when you invite me to the castle one day.” I chuckle, stepping back down the hill into the few well-wishers, waving her goodbye.
Invite her to the castle? How do I even claim it? Do I want to claim my birthright? It seems so far-fetched, me a queen, a ruler over an entire country. But what is my other option? To run and hide for the rest of my cursed life?
I have no one to help me.
Adrian is hunting me like a prize to be won, as far as Governor Thran believes.
Zayn is sitting on my family’s throne. How would he feel if I showed up at his portcullis with my packed bags ready to move in?
Then there’s the attacker. The mimicry. The one who killed my family. There have been many rumours that this…person is still roaming the land. Who knows the power he has now? I don’t know what magic he stole from my family or anyone else.He could have been syphoning magic for years, becoming utterly unstoppable.
I could stay here, farming, or growing produce, helping out in the kitchens, or I could teach the children. Okay, maybe not that. The memory of Megan and Eliza still haunts me; they’ve successfully put me off teaching for life.
But I could make a life here, I have Wyatt now, he has made one for himself, why can’t I? I wish Mum and Elana were here. But would Caelan allow them to come? I don’t want to push my luck by asking. Especially when I don’t know what lies in store for me.
Deep down, I know I can’t stay. The longer I do, the more at risk I put the folk of Nu’cov. I need to get to the Temple of Sanvi, wherever that is, and hope they have the answers I need. To learn about my magic. How to control it better. Why is the death magic different? Why does it hurt me?
I knock on the open door, the chief is hunched over sprawling papers on his desk, Caelan waves his hand without looking up.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.”
Caelan’s head snaps up to look at me as he tidies away the papers, tucking them inside a drawer.
“Forgive me, Andi. It’s not easy being in charge.” As he stands, he gestures to a chair and picks up a pitcher and some goblets, offering me one. I decline. Resting the pitcher and goblets back on the table, he settles into his chair. “How can I help you?”
“I guess I’m looking for some advice. I need to go to Yiren, to the Temple of Sanvi, where there’s a priest who can help me. Or at least I hope he can help me. I need to understand my magic better, but more than that, I need to figure out who killed my family. What magic he has now, how he can be beaten, if that’s even possible. Then there’s the throne, do I reclaim it? So, I guess, I would like to know your thoughts on the matter.”
“You’ve seen him?” Caelan asks quizzically.
“I can’t explain it, but I have been having dreams about the attack, mostly, he’s covered, but I think my grandfather knew him.” Exhaling, I wait patiently as Caelan rubs his hand down his beard, contemplating all he’s been told.
“I can’t tell you what to do. No one can. The answer is in you, think about it. How would you feel staying here for the rest of your life? All the while, someone else rules your kingdom. Or the fact that you will always be hunted for your powers.”
Would I be happy with that? If I were asked before Myles and Lura, before the guards, I might have said I would have been happy being oblivious, living the quiet life. But now, I have seen the brutal guards who roam over these lands. Over my kingdom. Can I continue to let that happen?
“No, I wouldn’t. I need to go after my throne.” My body tingles as if my magic approves of my decision. I didn’t realise how much I wanted my family's crown, my throne, until I said it out loud. I will get it back. I will reclaim my throne.
Caelan graces me with a devious smile. “I’ve been waiting to hear you say that. I have withheld some information from you, and I hope you forgive me, but I didn’t want to push you on your decision. I was a war general for King Harlan. I sat on his advisory council. He was…my friend. I knew your mother, too, and you. When you were nothing but a tiny baby.”
I draw a sharp breath as my eyes widen. He continues, “I was away at one of our camps that night. After hearing of the attack,we stormed the castle. But it was too late, the attackers had fled, and all that was left was Zayn, your grandfather’s right hand. I always hated the man. He sought out his own agenda before the kingdoms. Something about him set my teeth on edge, but I could never prove it. However, Harlan trusted him.”
Caelan picks up the pitcher, passing a goblet to me, happily. I take it now, drinking quickly to calm my nerves. I shake my head. “So, what happened after you stormed the castle?”
Caelan looks at his feet. He always seems so sure of himself, but right now he looks ashamed. “It was…I’ll spare you the gruesome details, but it was a sight I’ll never forget. I found the bodies of your family, and we carried them out and buried them in the King's Forest outside of Eilia. Usually, with the death of a royal, the city would hold a vigil for the subjects to pay their respects, but in this case, I decided no one should witness the atrocities inflicted on them.
