Page 95 of The Awakening of Essensia

Vaelira met Willem’s gaze. He shook his head slightly. She gave him a grateful smile.

“Did it look that way tonight?” Elijah asked.

“You tell me. You seem to have all the answers.” Erryn’s voice dropped to a murmur. “You’re such a hypocrite.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You scolded me for giving her my token, then handed her the crest like it meant nothing!”

“It’s not the same. The crest doesn’t grant access to the palace.”

“So, you don’t trust her?”

“That isn’t what I’m saying!” Elijah snapped. “You’re twisting my words, like always.”

“You trust her with the crest but not us with the truth. I’d think we’ve all earned that by now, or do we still not meet your impossibly high standards?”

Vaelira peered over the railing. Elijah stood tense, hands balled into fists. Even from here, she could see the muscles working in his jaw, his neck. Erryn stood out of view.

“How do you know this isn’t part of some elaborate plan?” she asked, softer now. “Infiltrate the crown. Make the prince fall in love…”

Vaelira’s face burned. She didn’t meet Willem’s eye.

Elijah’s hands slowly unclenched and his shoulders sagged. “I went to her. She didn’t know anything.”

“Or maybe that’s exactly what she wants you to think.”

Elijah’s voice cracked. “Her brother was possessed, damn it.”

Silence. Then he sighed, walking out of sight towards the dining room. He lowered his voice, and Vaelira had to strain to hear. “A demon killed him, took his body, then tried to kill her. I was there. I beheaded him, Ryn. Right in front of her. I’m telling you she isn’t a part of this, at least not in the way you think.”

Erryn didn’t speak.

Willem placed a hand on Vaelira’s shoulder. She realised she was crying and wiped her face quickly.

“You feel betrayed,” Axel’s voice came from the dining room. “I do too, but you saw her tonight. That rage wasn’t for show.”

“He still should have told us.”

“Can you blame him for trying to keep her safe?”

Vaelira closed her eyes. If she had told them from the beginning, they wouldn’t be turning on each other now. Then again, if she had, she might already be dead.

Willem gave her a gentle nudge, and they descended the stairs together. Erryn stood braced against the doorway to the dining room. Axel sat at the table, rubbing a hand along his jaw. Elijah leant one hand against the mantle, staring into the barren fireplace. He looked more exhausted than she’d ever seen him. No one spoke.

Axel cleared his throat. “You’re up. That’s good.”

Vaelira felt the considerable weight of Erryn’s gaze as she stepped past and slipped into an empty chair. Willem took the seat beside her and Erryn sat across from them, her movements rigid.

“Did we get the relics?” Vaelira asked. Her voice was quiet, yet still too loud in her ears.

Axel nodded. “Only two, but we got them.”

Her throat tightened. That was two attacks they’d prevented, and the only cost was the silence that now lingered between them. “The girl?”

“The fire burned whatever was left.”

Vaelira swallowed. The girl’s family would have no body for a pyre. She didn’t bother wiping away the tears this time.