Born To Rule

Chapter Twenty

Restoration efforts started immediately following the final hybrid’s death. Each druid set to work with fluid ease. They gathered supplies for the injured, began repairs on the gate with their mana, while others reunited family members and took a census. There was no milling about or useless chaos. Everyone seemed to know exactly what their purpose was.

I made myself useful by taking advantage of Eiresh’s speed and rode west to retrieve the townspeople that fled. Most of Raven Ridge was repaired by the time I returned. Bits of rocks and splintered wood scattered the roadway as I led the people through the smaller gate.

I passed Sidelle, busy repairing the border spell. We hadn’t had a chance to speak since she noticed me earlier. Her long silver hair, gray with dust from the rubble, hung low over her back as she faced the sky, working her mana like a graceful interpretive dance.

As I headed toward the plaza to find Balis, the roar of the falls reduced to its ambient muffled sound, signaling the spell was in place. He was there, repairing the bridge that Eurok and I had spoken on the last time I’d been here. His hands were raised in front of his chest, a green glow emanating from his outward-facing palms. My jaw fell slack as the banks sprouted twisting roots, entwining like a lover’s embrace. The final product revealed a stunning walkway that rivaled the original.

My stomach fluttered with an anxious combination of awe and excitement. His mana was incredible. I let go of the reins and stared at my palms, a strange inadequacy churning in my gut. It took forever for Balis to convince me the luminous flowers were my doing. He ventured so far as to return that wicked tongue between my legs. When he made me come again, the same brilliant, glowing blooms formed beneath my hands—and I ran out of excuses.

I stood in firm divergence from the idea that Annorah’s soul floated around somewhere inside me. Still, I needed answers, and I wouldn’t find them in Calrund.

“I’m almost done here,” Balis called.

With his shirt tossed over his shoulder, he secured a wooden swing to a tree branch. Once again, I was struck by how magnificent of a sight he was—a sculpted, honed force of nature that I could easily get swept up in. I stilled that reckless tide of craving and tore my gaze away. No way was I stupid enough to fall for him, regardless of how easy it would be. I had to be smarter than that. But damn it if he wasn’t incredible to look at.

“So what was that, exactly? Another demon hybrid?”

“Yeah. A drakboar.” He stood back, marveling at his work, then admired the plaza as a whole. “Never seen one run with a murder of adraknids, though.”

“Everyone is turning in for the day, rejoining families before the storm.” I collected the reins again. “We can head up to the quarters now.”

“You ready for that?”

He lifted a dark brow, then collected some scattered chunks of stone. When he tossed them into the river, the plopping splash echoed off the quiet walls of the empty plaza. Dark clouds hung heavy in the sky behind him. It wouldn’t be long before they opened and released a downpour.

As much as I wished to avoid it, my time was up. “I’m not sure what to tell them.”

“They won’t care what you have to say, only that you’re here.”

He dusted his hands off, blatantly unaware of how unfamiliar that concept was to me.

“Maybe. It’s just,” I rolled my eyes, letting despondence take over instead of words, and shook my head, “I’ve been trying, but I haven’t been able to make anything like those flowers happen again since we left Star Hewn. I mean, shouldn’t I feel… something?”

His gaze fell to my waist. “I’ve been thinking about that too, and I might have a theory.”

“What is it?”

“Let’s get this over with first.”

With an effortless leap, he settled behind me, scooting close. His bare chest warmed my back as I nudged Eiresh into motion.

The clouds kept their promise. We made it through the door just in time for the rain to catch up and shower Sidelle’s home with large, heavy drops. The familiar scent of wood-fire, clove, and citrus permeated my senses, and I wondered what a place of my own might smell like. I wouldn’t mind if it were similar to this.

Our entry interrupted a muffled conversation and was followed by hurried footsteps. Sidelle burst around the corner, a look of teary-eyed joy on her face as she pressed a soft palm to my cheek.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

I nodded, and she hugged me with surprising strength.

The males clasped forearms beside us.

“Good to see you, Captain,” Balis said.

“Welcome.” Sidelle offered Balis her hand.

He took it and bowed low in a show of respect. “High Witch Sidelle, thank you for receiving me in your home.”

“Of course.”

Her practiced tone and careful scrutiny gave me the impression they were unfamiliar with one another. He was indeed here based on Eurok’s recommendation alone, and I wondered how she felt about that.

“Come. Sit. We have a lot to discuss.” She motioned toward the sitting room.

I turned to follow but Eurok dropped a hand down on my shoulder.

“Welcome back, kiddo,” he said with that same confident smile he had last we spoke, like he never believed for one second that I wouldn’t be back.

As soon as we settled into the semicircle of chairs surrounding the fireplace, the conversation took off and moved with brevity. I sat, feet tucked beneath me, sipping on spiked cider, as Balis rehashed the details of our encounter. He supplied more detail than I expected, even admitting to stalking me in his prowling cat form. But there was a directness to his words that told me there would be no mention of how he kissed me and made me come on the beach of the Star Hewn.

When he gave them every detail of Eiresh’s capture, our discovery of the poachers, and the attempted Dogu’s extermination, Sidelle’s face went ashen. Her dark, painted lips quivered, and I didn’t have to wonder why when she excused herself moments later. My heart still ached, too.

“We learned something though,” Balis said once Sidelle returned and stood behind Eurok’s chair. His gaze tore free from the place on the floor where they’d been glued and swallowed the last swig of ale from his mug. “Mira questioned one of the poachers.”

Their eyes flickered to me, and I took another sip of cider.

“He spoke of their employer—a rich man with a limp.”

Sidelle’s brows pinched. “Did he give you anything more than that?”

“No—but I should also mention the Dogu had suspicions about the poacher’s weapons. Injuries inflicted by those swords weakened their mana. I experienced it myself.”

The druids’ expressions blanched with heady alarm. The room grew quiet, and Sidelle’s hand flew to her mouth, as if realizing something. She spun, as if ready to pace, or flee—yet she froze.

“Sidelle?” I asked. “What is it?”

“The ash,” she whispered.

Balis and I exchanged a glance.

Eurok pushed from his chair, moving to stand before her. His strong hands found the small of her waist as he lowered himself into her line of sight. “The ash Annorah discovered?”

She gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“You believe he’s using it to make weapons?” he asked.

“It’s the only thing that makes sense,” she said. “My gods, I’ve always known this day would come.”

“Hold on,” my brow furrowed, “what ash?”

Sidelle faced us, hands gripping the back of the chair like it was her only hope to remain standing. “Before Annorah’s sacrifice—”

My gaze flicked to Balis, wondering if he put it together yet, who they thought me to be.

“—the council granted Annorah the use of a small squad to do a reconnaissance mission. They observed a fleet that departed with unknown cargo from the royal shipyard that later returned with barrels of ash.”

I set aside my cider. “Ash from what?”

“They were unable to determine its source. But when one druid came into contact with it, he could not wield his mana.”

“Do you think the king is behind this?” Balis asked.

His steady calm acted as an anchor against my raging thoughts and the growing list of reasons I craved to cut out King Atreus’ heart.

Sidelle swallowed hard. “I do.”

Balis’ jaw flexed. “That might explain something else, then.”

It felt like I sat beside a different version of him than I’d seen thus far. A honed focus consumed his eyes as they fluttered unseeing over the floor, turning thoughts over in his mind.

“Mira, you mentioned your father was the royal foreman?”

I nodded.

“And your dagger? You stole it from someone at one of your father’s job sites?”

Again, I nodded—that irresolute cobra inside, coiling.

“What do you remember about him?”

I dropped my chin, extracting memories better left forgotten. I remembered water, a ‘summer home,’ as the man called it. His face was lost to me. I avoided those hollow gray eyes at all costs. But that meant I spent a good deal of time staring at the floor.

A clear picture formed in my mind—two feet clad in shining black boots beside a mahogany silver-tipped cane. I stretched my fingers, recalling the pain of pinching them in the cupboard door where I hid. And the steady, shuffle-click, shuffle-click, shuffle-click of his footsteps as he passed by.

“He had a limp,” I said in a far-off voice, still not fully broken from my thoughts.

When I looked up at Balis, I couldn’t help but notice the flicker of empathy in his emerald gaze. I unfolded my legs from beneath me, feeling the sudden urge to stand and move.

“The vizor,” Sidelle confirmed.

Balis continued, “Mira’s mana flared on two occasions. Once when she threw her dagger to end my attacker at the poacher’s camp, and the other while swimming in the Star Hewn. I can’t say for sure, but,” he turned his attention back to me, gesturing his chin at the weapon sheathed at my side. “I suspect that blade, its constant contact with you, has been suppressing your mana for some time.”

My heart skidded to a halt.

“It makes sense,” Sidelle mused. “You didn’t have it on you when we visited the stone forest.”

My mouth went dry. The need to move drained from me as quickly as it’d set in. I dropped back into my seat. Holy shit.

She pressed her lips, as if ruminating, then headed for the beverage cart.

“We have to tell the council,” Eurok announced a moment later, Balis nodding his agreement.

Sidelle faced us, clutching a steaming mug in her hands. “No.”

“Sidelle…” The captain started toward her.

It was hard not to notice how rarely they allowed space between them. When one walked away, the other soon followed.

“Love, we don’t have to tell them about Mira. We will keep her out of this.”

“That’s not it,” she said. “I mean, of course, I’m not ready for them to find out about her, but there’s more.” The room’s silence urged her to go on. “My influence in the council has been waning since Broderick was sworn in. If they hear of this, it’s over. They’ll declare war.”

“Our forces are stronger than ever,” Eurok said. “We have the numbers–”

“Why do you think I haven’t killed him myself?” She stared him down. “If King Atreus dies, Aethier has promised the destruction of our variant.”

The druids paled—their auras dimmed like a cloud cast over their glow.

“What does Aethier stand to gain by insisting Atreus remain alive?” I asked. “You mentioned before that Annorah possessed a fraction of Erezos’ power, so it would make sense for him to want to protect it. But aside from his long life, Atreus possesses no power, does he?”

“No. And unfortunately, Aethier’s reasoning was never divulged, and it wasn’t a bluff I was willing to call. But if the council finds out about this, I can’t guarantee they won’t order the attack I’ve been advising against. Not if they’ve already begun questioning my reasoning behind serving as liaison.”

She turned away from Eurok, set her cup aside, and braced her arms against the table. At first, her eyes were unseeing, lost in endless debate, but then they registered something on her writing desk—a stack of mail.

She plucked a folded message from the pile and opened it. A blood-red envelope fell out with a soft plop. I waited with bated breath as Sidelle, glaring at the wax seal, picked it up and tore it open with her long, dark nails, a clean rip sounding through the silent room.

There was a moment when Balis turned toward me as if he wanted to reach out and touch me. I wished he would’ve. Instead, we sat locked in wary glances until Sidelle spoke.

“It’s an invitation.” She looked up, her eyes on me. “For Mira and I to attend a ball.”

“What?” Eurok took a step closer to peer over her shoulder.

She relinquished the summons to him. “In four days.”

He studied it as if he could find the king’s motives somewhere hidden on the piece of parchment.

Was this a trick? Had he found out Sidelle lied to him? “What sort of ball?” I asked.

“It doesn’t say.”

Eurok held up the envelope, eyeing the seal. “Did you speak to anyone outside Raven Ridge, aside from the Dogu?”

I shook my head, sensing Balis’ focus on me.

“Then the only people who know about your connection to Annorah are in this room?” Eurok dropped the thick paper on the table.

I nodded, my attention on Balis, still as stone in my peripheral. “But if you’re trying to keep my existence a secret, then maybe I shouldn’t attend,” I gestured to the note, “whatever that is.”

Sidelle folded her arms around herself, head cocked, almost a mirror image of myself. She wanted out of this as much as I did.

“If you don’t, it would look suspicious,” she said.

“We can go with you,” Eurok suggested, “provide backup if you were to have need of it.”

Sidelle retrieved her brew and took a long drink. “The king would never allow druid warriors into the castle.”

A tense quiet fell over the room. I stared over my shoulder at the dancing flames in the hearth, feeling their warmth on my cheeks. My thoughts soured. When I finally admitted to myself how badly I preferred to be here—how fucking ironic that I might be forced to the human provinces just as I discovered my ability to wield.

I winced as though I had a vise around my stomach. It tightened every time I thought of those flowers. It was a heavy, cold feeling that wouldn’t go away or give me a moment’s peace. My fingertips traced along the jeweled inlay of my dagger’s hilt.

Eventually, I’d have to choose. Wield the blade that saved my life more times than I could count—or wield mana and, if everything Sidelle believes is true, stand to save the entire godsdamned kingdom.

My hand brushed up against my pocket, the small sound of crinkling paper stealing my notice. I pulled out the scroll with the golden border I’d taken from the man at the camp. Unrolling it, I retrieved the invitation and lifted the two beside one another.

An identical match.

“I’m curious,” I said.

Everyone’s eyes were on me as a wicked plan unfolded in my mind.

“How would the king respond if he felt I shared his disdain for your kind?”

A knowing look drew the edge of Sidelle’s mouth up. “I can’t imagine he would expect anything less. He believes any right-minded human would feel the same.”

“And if you needed protection from me?”

Her eyes fell on the stoic druids on either side of the room.

“What are you suggesting?” Eurok asked.

I dropped the pair of parchments on the table and crossed my arms, pacing as I worked out the plan in my head. “We need to find out if he is behind this ash, right?”

They nodded.

“Well, he’s just delivered us the perfect excuse to get inside the castle.”

“What if it’s a trick, Mira?” Balis retorted.

“Sidelle already said there’s no way around it. Anything else would draw suspicion. I have no interest in going, but she’s right.”

He wasn’t pleased, but dropped the argument with a tight sigh as he leaned back in his chair. Eurok cut a glance between the two of us and locked an accusing stare on me.

Ignoring him, I went on, “He requested you train me in druid combat,” I gestured toward Sidelle for her to back me up, “something of which he understands little about?”

“To him, we are as feral as a pack of wild dogs. He knows nothing of our ways,” she answered.

I gave a pointed nod.

“So you want us to attend as Sidelle’s personal guards as protection from you?” Balis clarified.

“Precisely.”

“I could say she tried to attack me in a fit of rage,” her dark gaze fixated on Eurok, “claim your presence is just a precaution.”

The captain stood, arms crossed, an unreadable expression on his face.

“Exactly,” I said. “I’ll make myself his favorite person, build a rapport with hatred of your kind, and lead him to believe I am on his side. If he is behind the poaching, there’s a chance he might try to pull me in.”

“I don’t like it.” Balis was almost seething now. “What if your mana flares and he picks up on it? They won’t let you in with your dagger.”

I ran my fingers along the gilded hilt once more. “I have a plan for that, too.”