“Killing him would raise more alarm.”
“But that’s what we came here for.” He doesn’t like that the Hierophant remains a variable. I can’t entirely blame him for the sentiment.
“I know. But a better opportunity presented itself. I have him, and Elorin, and possibly the other Majors on my side.”
“Clara—”
“It’s done, Kaelis,” I say firmly.
He dips his chin slightly. I stand a bit taller in response to his unspoken challenge. With a soft sigh, he leans forward, pressing his forehead to mine. The sudden gentleness nearly puts me off-balance.
“I will never doubt trusting you. I just hope the people whom you put your trust in prove worthy,” he murmurs. “We should return.”
The Chariot rises, and in an instant, we’re back in his room.
“I’ll begin preparations for the procedure.” He goes to turn away.
I grab his hand, stopping him. “Kaelis, the Arcanum Chalice…” The question is lost for a moment as what I overheard replays in my mind.
“What about it?”
“What does it do? Beyond giving those who sacrifice to it access to deeper power…What does it do with the futures fed to it?”
“It converts the futures into the powers it bestows,” he says like it’s obvious. I don’t see any trace of deceit on his face. Perhaps even he doesn’t know what Naethor intended with the Chalice.
“Your father said the Chalice’s strength was wavering. Do you know what he might have meant?”
Kaelis considers this but ultimately shakes his head. “So far as I can see, the Chalice remains the same as ever. But if it were to waver, then Arcanists wouldn’t be able to be equally strengthened. Perhaps it is my father’s fear that Oricalis’s power on the world’s stage will diminish.”
I nod, repeating the conversation again in my mind. It seemed like more than that? Or something different…But perhaps that’s all it was; Naethor’s obsession with his own might knows no bounds.
“You should rest. What awaits you next will likely be…overwhelming.”
“I will be fine,” I reassure him.
Kaelis doesn’t seem convinced. “I will do my best, but know that the pain will be immense. Perhaps greater than you’ve ever felt before.”
I almost scoff. Pain? Pain is having my body broken at Glavstone’s hands. Pain is having my mind fray at its edges in the Halazar dungeons. Pain is howling when I believed my sister was dead or losing one of my dearest friends before my eyes.
“I’ll survive it,” I say with the confidence and ease of casting an ace. “This must be done.” My hands ball into fists. I’m going to enjoy when I can finally reveal the ploy to Ravin. When he’s staring up atme,bloody on the floor.
Kaelis nods, as if he always knew that would be my response. “Very well, we’ll begin at dusk. I’ll need to gather supplies and ink the necessary cards, and you should rest while you can.”
“I’ll see you at dusk, then.” I start for the secret passage in the closet.
He asks after me, “Not curious about what the preparations will entail?”
“I am,” I readily admit. “But I suspect this process will take some time.” I hold my thoughts there. When he gives a nod, I continue, “Then I’d like to go and spend as much time as I can with my sister.”
There’s a glint of understanding in his eyes. It’s strange to see it, knowing the relationship he has with his brothers…Does he yearnfor it? Sibling companionship? Even though Kaelis is a middle child, he might as well be alone. He didn’t even so much as glance in the direction of his youngest brother.
“Go,” he says. “Enjoy it while you can.”
The phrasing is a bit ominous and haunts me as I venture back to Arina. The morning light spills through the stained glass on either side of the fireplace, splitting into rainbows. Gregor’s snores reverberate from the bedroom to the right. The food I left out last night is gone. Hopefully at least some was consumed by—
Arina.
She’s sitting up in bed, staring out the window.
