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“That might be problematic,” Charon carefully said. “Oleander intended to help her, as did Prydwen. He sent me a text about the issue and had already called his summon. If we notify the Cloisters, Oleander and Prydwen might be seen.”
“They’re using magic? On the streets of Magiford?” I stared incredulously at Charon. I was a careful ruler, but as I had noted before, I ruled over an anxiety ridden, fearful people who wanted to avoid discovery more than anything else. “Why would they take such a risk?”
“I imagine it’s because ofyou,” Aristide said. “They know she’s important to you.”
I shook my head. “I’m little more than the bogey they hide behind to keep the realm running. Why would they risk revealing what they are for me?”
“Because they know why you fought your parents and siblings, dismantling your entire family.” This statement, shockingly, came from Charon, his gaze steady and steely as he met my eyes. “Because they know, if you could, you’d risk everything for Chloe. But you feel like you can’t as our king, so they will on your behalf.”
My fingers itched to reach for the dagger set I had hidden in the top drawer of my desk as I desperately tried to calm the inner turmoil.
Was it really acceptable? Involving myself with Chloe inevitably meant we’d have to come forward, particularly now since supernaturals knew she was a shadow. We’d face hatred for certain. As a king could I really put my people through that, when I was the reason they lived like this?
But Chloe…
“I’ll say it again, Noctus,” Aristide said. “Your call.”
I’d dedicated my life to duty—duty to my lands, duty to magic, and now duty to my people. Could I really allow myself this one thing, even if it changed my life and the lives of my people, forever?
Everyone was silent—even the ever-sulking wild magic held its peace.
I briefly closed my eyes, and I swear I heard Chloe laugh and felt the warmth she brought into my life. In that moment, I made my choice.
“Hoo, I just picked up on an increased heartbeat, we’re going!” Aristide crowed.
“We’re not just going.” I glanced down at the shackles on my wrists and released a bit of my power. The shackles cracked in half, falling onto my paper covered desk with a thump. “We’re ending this.”
Freed from the constraints on my magic, I extended my hand and reached into my weapon storage portal.
Chapter Nineteen
Chloe
When I opened my eyes, a segment of the top layer of the asphalt had melted and peeled off the road.
The tracker was splayed at the end of the melted patch, his entire body shaking and his clothes smoldering.
The sensation of elven magic was so strong it was hard to breathe, and my heart beat faster in my chest—not with dread, but hope.
Steeling myself, I turned around.
A knight wearing a dark gray tabard that was decorated with embroidery of roaring black lions along the slashed front hem, metal gauntlets, pauldrons, and boots stood there, silent. He held a rapier forged of black metal that had black lions that formed the curved guard and knuckle guard. Three circles formed from glowing black elvish script spun around the pommel of the rapier, the center of the blade, and the point. The script constantly changed and circled the rapier, making me pretty sure it was an elven heirloom weapon.
Noctus.
I knew it was him, even though I couldn’t see his face.
He’s here. He came! …and he’s using a royal weapon? What is he doing?!
There was no hiding the usage of a weapon like that—there would be way too much magic used. Noctus was practically announcing to all Magiford that he existed!
Questions later, tracker first!
Noctus pointed his head in my direction, and behind him Aristide, Charon, and Ker—in her wolf form—stepped out of the shadows.
“Careful!” I yelled. “There are humans nearby, and he’s got a spell—forbidden elf magic!”
The onyx magic was still streaming out from the necklace, crawling over Pat, Oleander, Prydwen, and the humans.
