AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We lost one,” she said softly.
“One what?”
“A Conjurite,” she sighed. “The process of leading them back to the light isn’t easy, and…the darkness won out.”
Ah, there was a catch. It made more sense, now. The darkness wasn’t just going to give up. Cyrene wouldn’t let go of her people, and if they managed to escape, losing them altogether was less of a loss to her than losing them back to the light.
“So, it’s not as straightforward as the Conjurite making a choice,” I said.
Nylah shook her head.
“There’s a risk involved with everything, isn’t there?” Ellie asked. “It’s just as serious as the risk of becoming Conjurite. The loss of life just isn’t as apparent when they choose the darkness.”
She was right. The Fae who decided to give up the light did die, in a way. They died on the inside. It wasn’t apparent because they still lived long lives, but they weren’t full lives.
“Hmm.” I speared a piece of meat and chewed it vigorously while I thought.
“We won’t hide the facts from anyone,” Vanya said firmly. “When your people make the choice, they will know what they’re risking.”
“That’s fine by me,” I said. “It’s more than what they got when they gave up the light.” No one had been told exactly what it would mean, and by the time they figured it out, it was far too late.
Ellie looked pleased, and when she and Nylah glanced at each other, a silent conversation passed between them.
I hoped for their sake—and for my people—that it would be smooth sailing, but I didn’t expect it to be. In theory, it was all very grand. In reality? I still didn’t think they would be able to pull it off just like that.
Dinner was pleasant enough, despite the war within me, wondering what was going on with my emotions and why someone like Hazel could unlock them when I’d been cold as stone and as emotionless as one for centuries.
When it was over, Rainier stood and suggested that we talk business in his office while the others entertained themselves in one of the great rooms. I nodded, and we excused ourselves. The others rose and left through a side door. I watched Hazel, willing her to look at me one more time.
She glanced over her shoulder at me before she disappeared, and my heart leapt in my chest when she did.
Therehadto be something there.
I followed Rainier through the palace.
Where Falx’s castle was drab and dull, decorated in monochrome colors, as if the life had been sucked out of everything, Rainier’s palace was an explosion of color and life. The paintings were spectacular, the plants overwhelming, the decorations luxurious and tasteful. When I saw it, I wanted to drink it all in and get away from it at the same time.
I wasn’t used to a life like this, and I hated being reminded of everything I’d missed out on because of the path I’d had to walk.
Rainier closed the door behind us when we stepped into his office. I’d been here before, but it never ceased to amaze me that this was a room where work took place. If I had a view like this—his French windows overlooked a valley with large houses and lush greenery, a river snaking through it all—I would have stared at it all day.
From my own office in the castle in Palgia, I could see a vast stretch of land, but it was barren and colorless, a result of the Conjurite magic that had gripped the kingdom for centuries. Green shoots had shown itself over the last couple of months, with plants starting to grow. But they were meager and didn’t always make it in a landscape that was so harsh and unforgiving.
“Thank you for coming to dine with us tonight,” Rainier said.
He took a seat in one armchair that faced his desk, not sitting in the large chair behind it. He gestured for me to take the other seat. He was offering for us to talk as equals.
“It was my honor,” I said and sat down, swiveling toward the magnetic view rather than to face Rainier directly.
He leaned back in his chair, making himself comfortable, and I felt the liberty to do the same.
“You seemed skeptical about removing the Conjurite magic from Palgia,” Rainier said.
I nodded. “It’s not as simple as you’re making it out to be.”
“I can’t imagine it will be.”
“The Queen seems to be positive they’ll figure it out.”
