Page 91 of Tale of the Heart Queen

The relief that expands in my chest at Tyr’s words almost makes my legs collapse out from under me.

Hylene smiles and strokes his hand. “Can you show us?” she asks softly, and Tyr nods.

Then, with obvious difficulty, he heaves himself up from his seat. It’s clear it’s a struggle, his movements dragging in slow motion like he’s been submerged in cold tree sap. My eyes burn with tears at the sight of him. I don’t know him, but I can’t imagine what kinds of horrors he must have suffered under Atlas.

Tyr hobbles to the edge of the room and stops in front of the bookcase near the window. That’s when I spot it. Sitting right out there in the open like just another random object on a shelf.

Though maybe I’m being a little unfair because it is encased in glass, clearly meant to protect it. Tyr looks at it and then walks over to the desk, where he picks up a dagger lying on the surface. He lifts his hand and slashes his palm. A line of blood swells to the surface.

“Tyr!” Gabriel shouts, already moving towards him. “What are you—”

Tyr holds up the bloodied hand and shakes his head.

“It’s okay,” he says softly. Tension vibrates in Gabriel’s frame. He wants to do something. He’s worried about Tyr, and I wonder about their relationship. How long have they known one another? He is Tyr’s warder. He never really belonged to Atlas.

Then Tyr shuffles back to the shelf and presses his hand to the glass case. The front pops open, allowing access to the ark.

“Only I can open it,” he says before reaching in and taking it out.

“But that’s . . .” Gabriel says, staring at the ark. “Isn’t that the object used to create the warders?”

“It is,” Tyr says. “The Mirror explained the process when I ascended...” He shakes his head as his voice trails off. He makes his way back to me holding the ark to his chest. I look at Nadir, who’s watching the Sun King.

“I want you to take it,” Tyr says. “Please.”

“Just like that?” I ask. I’d kind of expected I’d have to plead my case a bit more or, if worse came to worst, stuff away my conscience and steal this one, too.

Tyr draws a ragged breath. “The Warders were a mistake. This was a mistake,” he says, gesturing to the ark. His voice is filled with apology as he looks at Gabriel.

“If there’s anything the last one hundred years have taught me,” Tyr says, “it’s that no one should ever be forced to carry out the bidding of another.”

Gabriel swallows heavily, though his posture remains erect.

“However, before I hand it over, I must do one last thing. Will you allow me that?”

I nod because I think I already sense what he’s about to say.

“It is time to free them, once and for all.”

“Other than a warder’s own death, the only escape from the warder bond is his king’s death, but that kills the warder too,” Gabriel says, his voice dead like he’s recited the words a thousand times.

Tyr dips his head, acknowledging his words.

“That is true,” he says. “Or I can choose to free you with this.”

He holds up the ark.

“I’m sorry,” he says, tears filling his blue eyes. “I should have done this so long ago.”

So many emotions cross Gabriel’s face—sadness, anger, confusion. And a profound sense of loss. Atlas could have chosen to free them at any point.

“Thank you,” he says, dropping his head either out of respect or in an attempt to hide the tears that I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want anyone to see.

“Do not thank me,” Tyr says. “If I had never allowed this tradition to continue, then nothing Atlas did would have been possible. I am as much to blame for all of it.”

“No,” Gabriel says. “Don’t do that. Just because someone has power doesn’t mean they have to use it.”

Those words strike something deep in my chest. I think about the destructive power of my magic and realize how true they are.