Unleashed Witch (The Primordial Queen #3)

34. Elzora

34

ELZORA

T here’s a knock on the table next to me that has me shrieking wildly, and gold sparks fly out of my hands. They don’t attack anyone, which helps me calm down, as I look up into the amused face of my fire witch.

“Sorry, Ellie baby. I didn’t realise you were that absorbed into what you were doing,” Mael says, gently placing his hand on the top of my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

I nod, relaxing under his warm touch. “I’m sorry. I was being… I was just reading to try and… forget what tomorrow is.”

“I understand.” He crouches down next to me, his palm moving to my hip as he turns the chair around so I’m facing him. Since he branded me there, Mael’s got an obsession with touching it and being close to it.

I can’t complain, considering how good the rune feels when he does.

“Don’t panic, but I’m here to grab you since we’ve got some visitors on their way,” he says calmly. The soothing tone is one that you’d use on an injured or sick animal, and it immediately has me more nervous than ever.

“Who?”

“Mr Downey is coming, along with a business associate of his. They want to talk with you ahead of the shit tomorrow.”

I frown. “And Necos and Eirik are okay with this?”

Mael rolls his eyes, squeezing my hips. “Honestly, they’re not that good at being in charge, you know?”

I giggle, brushing the hair out of his eyes. “You need a haircut.”

“I do, do I?” He pouts so prettily.

“Yes.” I let out a sigh. “I’m not going to lie, I don’t really want to see Mr Downey. I just… after how long he was with my grandma… to then not be on my side…”

“I hear you. I’m pissed at the selfish bastard, too,” Mael murmurs, giving me a soft smile. “I can tell him to go fuck himself.”

“But?” I hear that there’s something unsaid, but, sadly, his mind is closed to what it is.

“Apparently, he has something for you… something that will help for tomorrow.”

“And he waited until today to give it to me?” I wrap my arms around my tummy, and Mael moves his hands so they cover the top of mine.

“I know, baby, I know. Trust me, Necos is pissed about this, too. He and Eirik have had multiple meetings with him over the last two weeks to keep him in the loop, and he’s not once mentioned it.”

I sigh, resting my head on Mael’s shoulder. “How long do I have?”

“Fifteen minutes.”

I groan but nod. I press a chaste kiss to his cheek and silently return all of my things before heading out of the library. If I’ve got to see Mr Downey today, I refuse to do it in a pair of pyjamas that have a spaghetti sauce stain on the t-shirt.

I never normally care about appearances, but when it comes to putting on a show, there’s no better armour than your outfit.

And your lipstick.

“ T hey’ll portal to the door,” Necos says, reaching over to place his hand on top of mine. His fingers are warm against my cold skin, and the familiar magicae grounds me as my anxiety spikes. “Calm yourself, cor meum .”

The nickname sends a rapid wave of love through our shared bond, and it slows my racing heart down. Necos’s knowing look causes me to blush, and I lean into his side, drawing comfort from his presence.

“Thank you.”

He smiles, a gentle curve of his lips that seems like it’s reserved just for me. “My pleasure.”

“The two of you are so cute, I could die ,” Etrix teases, but there’s an edge of tension in his voice that betrays his concern. “But, since Downey and I aren’t the best of friends, I’m going to fuck off.”

“As you should, brother,” Eirik says, his tone clipped. He pats Etrix on the shoulder, striding past him. “Make sure the others don’t come through, either.”

Etrix nods, blows me a kiss, and disappears in a beam of light that flashes so bright it blinds me for a brief moment.

I have to blink spots from my vision, and the room feels emptier without his presence, like someone’s drawn the brightest spots from it.

I have no idea where Etrix is going or who he’s going to torment, but I hope he stays close by.

“I know we’re… not perfect,” Necos starts, rubbing the back of his neck. His usually confident demeanour wavers, and something in my chest tightens at the sight. “But know that the distance I put between us for this meeting has nothing to do with… well, with you, and everything to do with Theran.”

“I understand.” The words taste bitter on my tongue. Just because I understand does not mean I like it.

Not even a little bit.

“I know you do, darling girl, but that doesn’t mean you like it,” he says heavily like he’s heard the words from my mind.

“I don’t like anything that keeps you from accepting the bond,” I say lightly. It’s not until Eirik flinches in the corner of my eye that I realise I said it out loud. I gasp, horror flooding through me. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t ever apologise for being honest,” Necos says, his voice steady, even as his magicae ripples with something deeper.. “But know I’ve noted this, and we will be discussing it.”

“That sounds more like a threat than a promise,” I murmur.

My time witch stands as the door knocks, and he tosses me a wink before going to answer it. The playful gesture is appreciated, but it doesn’t match the tension in his shoulders.

We’re all on edge for this unexpected visit, and I don’t like that.

I smooth my dress out, arranging the dark blue skirt so it falls just right over the chair. The fabric of the sofa feels soft against my skin—cool and silky. I’m doing good, I think.

I can be fancy when I need to be— this is fancy, right?

“You’re gorgeous,” Eirik says, settling in the arm chair to my left. He’s a steady presence, keeping me safe, even with the small distance between us.

I know Necos will take the one to my right, leaving Mr Downey and his associate on the three-seater opposite me, across the coffee table that feels like too small a barrier.

I feel silly taking up a whole chair on my own, but I know that both of my mates won’t want to be overly close in front of him. I hear Necos’s warm voice talking quietly. I feel two familiar energies brush against my awareness—Mr Downey and… my dad.

But as the three men enter the room, and I rise to my feet, the third figure is most definitely not my dad. My breath catches in my throat, my eyes trained on him.

The magicae matches, the soul matches, even the way he grins at me seems to match, but the face… the face belongs to a stranger.

The man is thinner than my dad is with a paler skin tone. His dark brown hair and hazel brown eyes are nothing like my dad.

In fact the only thing similar about the two is that they’re the same height.

“Zoe, hi,” Mr Downey greets, smiling at me softly. My skin crawls. “How are you doing?”

“Um, nervous.” I give him a tense smile, my eyes darting to the man behind him.

“Oh, I do apologise. This is Canzri, one of my clients. As you can feel, he’s a dark witch, and we’ve worked together for a few years now,” Mr Downey says. “If we could sit, I could talk a little about how we hope to help.”

I peer at Canzri, still not sure that I can trust what my senses are telling me.

“It’s me, lux animula mea ,” he says, and I’m so relieved to hear my dad’s actual voice in my mind.

“Um, of course. Yes, please, do come sit. Do you… would either of you want anything to eat or drink?” I ask, trying to remember my manners, despite the trembling in my hands.

Mr Downey grins at me. “You’re such a lovely girl, Zoe. Your grandma would be so proud of you.”

The words hit like a physical blow, and I have to fight to keep my expression neutral. After everything he’s doing… it’s like a slap in the face to her memory—to my grandma herself.

Behind him, my dad’s borrowed face twitches with barely contained anger.

“I had the joy of meeting Margaret a few times. I am terribly sorry about her passing,” my dad—Canzri—says with an almost twisted smile.

“Do, come sit,” Eirik commands, gesturing to the seat opposite us. His tone carries the weight of royal authority, and I feel his magicae curl protectively around me.

“I’ll take a mug of tea, if possible, Zoe,” Mr Downey says, settling onto the sofa with practiced ease.

My dad doesn’t hide the disdain behind Mr Downey’s back as he follows over. “Yes, Necos, I’d appreciate one as well.”

Even his voice is different—deeper, rougher, with an accent I can’t place.

“I’ll get those sorted,” my time witch says, nodding at me. “Take a seat, Elzora. I’ll only be a moment.”

“Handy bit of magicae, time magicae is,” my dad says as Necos reappears in the doorway not even a moment later with a tray. Steam curls from the delicate china cups, carrying the soothing scent of chamomile and mint.

“Perfect,” Mr Downey says as Necos sets down the tray. The china clinks softly against the wooden table. “I trust you’ve been keeping up with the security arrangements for tomorrow and that everything is in place from what we’ve discussed?”

I take my seat carefully, trying not to stare at my dad. Even with the different face, there’s something so familiar in his movements that makes my magicae bristle.

I feel extremely uncomfortable with that face taking such a keen interest, even knowing that he’s my dad.

“Everything is in order,” Necos replies smoothly, his tone professional as he hands out the tea. I wrap both my hands around my mug, needing the warmth of it to help take the anxious chill out of my bones. “We’ve coordinated with the royal guard, the High Order, and implemented additional protective measures as we’ve all agreed.”

The porcelain is almost too hot against my palms, but I welcome the sensation. It helps ground me, gives me something to focus on besides the tension in the room.

“Good,” Mr Downey says, relief evident in his voice.

“And Zoe’s been briefed on all the protocols?” my dad—Canzri—asks, his hazel eyes meeting mine with an intensity that makes me grateful for Eirik’s steady presence beside me.

We both know that I haven’t been briefed at all, and likely for the best. But there’s a dangerous edge to my dad’s words, a pointedness in his tone, that has me unsure.

Is there something he thinks I need to know? Should I press?

“I know what to do,” I say softly, hating how uncertain my voice sounds when four pairs of eyes fall to me.

My dad’s eyes narrow as he looks at Mr Downey, who gives a subtle shake of his head. The air in the room grows heavier, weighted with unspoken tensions.

Something is being kept from me, that much is clear.

“Your safety is our primary concern.” Mr Downey leans forward, that familiar calculating look in his eyes as he holds onto this facade of caring. “The Royal Showcase is going to have unprecedented attendance this year since everyone is expecting a grand affair. We need to ensure?—”

“That there are no incidents,” Necos cuts in, his voice carrying a subtle warning. “We’re well aware of the stakes, Theran. Let’s not scare her the night before.”

“Do enlighten me on these stakes you’re all referring to,” my dad says, and there’s an edge to his voice that makes Mr Downey glance at him sharply. Shadows begin to gather in the corners of the room, responding to his agitation. “I’ve been patient with you, Theran, and respected the secrecy you’ve needed. But if there’s something I should know—something that would help with tomorrow’s event…”

Theran and Necos exchange looks as the room seems to darken, shadows deepen overhead. I don’t flinch, recognising their energy.

They feel like home, like safety, even if I’m not supposed to feel that with Canzri .

“Zoe doesn’t know her magicae type, Canzri,” Mr Downey says, and I have to hand it to my dad, he reacts in the way of true shock. The low whistle sends panic through me. “So one of our concerns is that King Etonik might make this public knowledge.”

“Well, that’s not something you’d want.” Canrzi’s words come out in a lazy drawl. “You don’t even have an inkling?”

“We think she’s a light witch,” Necos says, and I have to school my features to hide my alarm. My fingers tighten around the teacup until my knuckles turn white.

A light witch? Seriously?

“Why was I not informed of this?” Mr Downey demands, his carefully maintained composure cracking.

I sink back into the sofa cushions, letting myself settle back as they argue between themselves.

I’m not surprised when Eirik jumps into the fray, his voice sharp and cool. It’s comforting to not be expected to participate.

“Theran brought me here to see if I could figure out your fears,” my dad says, his usual voice a soothing whisper in my mind. Nevertheless, I still flinch at the sudden intrusion. “Stay calm, Elzora, we don’t want to draw any attention.”

“I don’t understand.”

“He’s unhappy about the lack of confirmation for your magicae type. He doesn’t want to give away the advantage he could gain if he waits to find out tomorrow with everyone else.”

“But… we don’t have an answer to that. Well, not one that we can share.” My heart pounds against my ribcage.

He gives me a small smile before sipping at his tea. “I know. We’ve got a plan, just follow our lead, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good girl. In a second, interrupt him, tell him you can handle yourself.”

“Well, if Zoe wasn’t such a liability—” Mr Downey snaps.

“I know how to handle myself,” I interject, trying to keep my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me. My eyes well up with tears, and I’m frustrated at the way he’s dismissed me. “We’ve been practicing.”

“She’s grown tremendously,” Eirik adds, his pride evident even through his formal tone. “Her control is remarkable.”

“And that’s all well and good, Zoe, but without concrete proof?—”

“Who is going to be demanding proof?” I ask quietly.

I feel amusement from Eirik as he shifts closer. “Nobody, love. My dad might try and make a show, but we’re fine. You are fine.”

“As we’ve told you, her magicae is gold and full of light,” Necos says, levelling Mr Downey with a pointed look. Something passes between them, an unspoken challenge of sorts. “And didn’t you say you had something to help us with this?”

“Yes. We’ll come to that in a moment,” Mr Downey says, his voice smoothing into something almost gentle as he turns to address me. “I brought Canzri along because I needed his help with something. Would you mind if he touched your hand, just for a moment, Zoe?”

“Of course, we mind,” Eirik snarls, tensing at my side. He places a hand on my thigh, and I feel the difference in his hold—he’s not annoyed, he’s putting on a show. “You would dare bring?—”

“It’s fine, Rik,” Necos says, cutting him off. “Of course, we wouldn’t mind, right Elzora?”

“Um, of course, not.” I swallow hard, trying to steady my voice. “I don’t know... I don’t know what help I’ll be, but if it keeps everyone safe tomorrow, then, of course.”

“You’re such a darling,” my dad says cheerfully. He reaches over the coffee table, holding his hand out flat. “Just place your hand atop mine. This won’t take but a moment.”

I don’t hesitate and rest my hand on his warm one. His magicae floods through me—dark, protective, and full of a love so fierce it brings tears to my eyes. His shadows tickle my palm, but I don’t pull away.

“What I’m doing is putting a block on your mind—keeping you protected from Theran but from others who may try to penetrate your thoughts.”

“Hasn’t Ryes already done that?” The question forms before I can even think it through.

“He has, and Ryes is a truly powerful witch, but he’s not the most powerful witch. I can protect your mind as the head of our family and by drawing upon our royal power line.”

My brows furrow, and I have so many questions, so much I want to know.

“Why haven’t you done this before now?” I ask, confused. “Why did you wait until this very moment?”

“I was going to do it before today, but Theran reached out to me a few days prior, and I figured I’d do it then.”

I frown, ducking my head, to try and not have the others see me. “But why are Necos and Eirik confused about his appearance?”

“They’re not. We knew it was coming—the tension is because we’re not sure what his plans are. He’s kept things very close to his chest.”

“Oh.”

“Trust me—trust us. You are safe.”

I have more questions, desperate to understand, but I can’t continue the silent conversation when I’m pulled into a real one.

“Are you okay, Zoe?” Mr Downey asks, giving Canzri a nervous look.

“I’m okay. It just tickles against my brain,” I say, feeding him the words that my dad silently tells me to say.

“Yes, that’s normal,” Mr Downey says, leaning back in his chair. He takes a sip of his tea, watching with beady eyes over the rim of his cup.

“All done,” my dad says calmly. He and Mr Downey share a dark look, and I shiver lightly in my seat. “Now, let’s talk about the protective methods for tomorrow so Miss Myxere knows what to expect.”

Another dark look between Mr Downey and my dad, this one entirely unreadable. I don’t know what’s going on or what their business relationship is like, but the tension in the room thickens until it’s hard for me to breathe.

“Yes, let’s discuss the protective measures,” Necos smoothly redirects, his voice carrying a calm authority that eases some of the tension from my shoulders. “First, I want to go over the positioning during the main ceremony.”

I listen as they debate formations and protocols, trying to focus on the technical details instead of the overwhelming presence of my dad and his concern. Every so often, I feel his magicae brush against mine—subtle, careful touches that nobody else seems to notice—as he tries to offer his support.

It’s different, having him in my corner… having that level of unconditional love. I’m struggling to adapt, but I find myself quite liking it.

“The main concern will be the presentation ceremony,” Necos is saying, his fingers drumming lightly on his armrest. “We’ll need to?—”

“And her crown?” Mr Downey suddenly interrupts, making everyone pause. “Will she be wearing one?”

The air in the room shifts, growing heavy with anticipation. I notice my dad’s fingers tighten almost imperceptibly around his teacup.

“Tell him no!” my dad silently commands.

“Tell him you don’t have one,” Necos says, practically at the same time.

“No… not this time,” I say quietly, studying my empty tea cup to avoid their gazes. “I wore a tiara at the dinner with Etrix, but I don’t know if… I don’t have anything for this one.”

“Well, that’s one of the main reasons I came over here today,” Mr Downey says, reaching down his briefcase. “I have something that might be appropriate for the occasion.”

As his fingers touch the clasp on his case, I feel something pulse through the room—a different kind of magicae, light and familiar in a way that makes my heart stutter.

I lean back in my chair as he opens the bag, Eirik’s hand tightening on my thigh. The air seems to glow, shimmering with a golden light that spills out as Mr Downey reaches inside.

When he pulls it out, it takes my breath away.

A golden crown.

The crown seems to capture all the light in the room, drawing it into intricate spirals of gold.

It has beautiful golden leaves that curl around perfectly cut crystals. They seem to catch the light and scatter it in rainbow patterns across the walls.

I wonder if that’s the magicae linked to it, manipulating the light, or if it’s just a coincidence.

At its heart, a central stone pulses with an inner radiance that feels achingly familiar—like a heartbeat I’ve known all my life but somehow forgotten.

“What is... who does this belong to?” I can feel the crown’s energy calling to me, magicae clinging to the metal that feels so familiar, so warm and full of light. I know I’ve never felt this specific energy before, and yet... and yet, something in my soul recognises it.

Mr Downey holds it out to me, and I don’t hesitate in taking it.

The moment my fingers connect with it, a rush of emotions flood through me with such intensity that tears spring to my eyes.

Joy, light, warmth… power .

The woman who wore this last, who poured her essence into this crown… she wasn’t just powerful. Her magicae was pure light—she’s a light witch—and she had a pure soul to match.

“Who do you think it belonged to, Elzora?” my dad asks, but I can’t look away from the glowing golden tiara—especially since he’s not my dad right now but some random man’s face as he’s wearing his Canzri disguise..

“I don’t know… I just… she’s powerful.” My voice catches. “And familiar.”

The last word comes out as barely a whisper as tears spill down my cheeks. I feel the gentle caress of my dad’s dark magicae, and the crown immediately responds with a pulse of light that makes the crystals glow.

Mr Downey’s smile reaches his eyes for once, creating genuine crinkles at the corners. “It was your mum’s. This crown belonged to Exsern Myxere. I believe she wore it for her wedding day to your dad.”

“Dads,” my dad mutters in my mind, his voice thick with emotion.

I can’t look away from it, at the priceless heirloom in my hands.

“How did you have this?” Necos asks, levelling Mr Downey with a look. There’s suspicion in his voice but also something else—wonder, maybe.

“It was one of the very few possessions your grandma had with her from before… before, well, you know,” Mr Downey says, his voice softening. “I think she’d want you to have it for this weekend, to have that connection with your mum—with your family.”

“A beautiful crown for a beautiful girl,” my dad says, and even through his altered voice, I hear the pride and love that makes my heart ache.

“I can’t feel any other magicae on it,” I say softly, running my fingers over the delicate spirals and jewels. The metal warms under my touch as if her magicae recognises mine, too. “Just hers.”

“Rumour has it that your dad made this for her as a wedding gift,” Necos says, watching me with those knowing silver eyes of his.

“Necos is correct,” Canzri says, and I glance at my dad, trying to see how he’s feeling through this disguise of his. “She wasn’t yet a royal so had no claim to any of the traditional crowns or jewellery, so your dad made it for her because, to him, she was still a princess, even before they married.”

I wipe the tears from my eyes as I look down at the beautiful gift. It’s a tangible connection to her—something real that I can hold and cherish.

“I helped, of course,” my dad continues silently. “Hell, it was my idea. Fuck Caedos, lux animula mea , it was all me.”

A watery laugh escapes me at my dad’s indignation, though to everyone else, it probably looks like I’m just overwhelmed by the crown.

“Thank you, genuinely. This is…” My voice breaks as I trace over one of the perfect golden leaves. “I don’t have words to say for how thankful I am. It feels right.”

The crown pulses warmly in my hands as if agreeing.

“That’s because it is,” Mr Downey says with an intensity that momentarily breaks through his usual calculating facade. “And, hopefully, you’ll feel more content as a light witch whilst connecting to your mum.”

My dad’s shadows writhe at that, darkening the corners of the room before he can contain them. If Mr Downey notices, he doesn’t show it, but I feel Necos’s attention sharpen.

“Your mother’s light magicae was extraordinary,” my dad says carefully, his borrowed voice steady, even as his real voice whispers in my mind. “Though not half as extraordinary as what you are, my daughter.”

“Would you like to try it on?” Mr Downey asks, leaning forward with eager anticipation.

But before I can respond, Necos shifts slightly in his chair. “Perhaps we should save that moment for tomorrow,” he suggests smoothly. “Let Zoe have some time with it first to connect with its energy properly.”

I shoot my time witch a grateful look. The crown’s weight in my hands is overwhelming enough—I’m not ready to wear it yet, to step into everything it represents.

Especially not in front of… well, my dad. I don’t want to disappoint him or upset him.

And, selfishly, I want to connect with my mum’s magicae alone.

“Of course, of course,” Mr Downey concedes, though disappointment flickers across his face. “We should let you rest before tomorrow’s events anyway.”

“Thank you,” I say again, unable to find words big enough for what this means. “For bringing this to me, for keeping it safe all these years...”

“It was my honour,” Mr Downey says, and, for once, I believe him. “Your mother was... she was remarkable. This crown carries just a fraction of her light, and I know that your grandma desperately wanted you to have this.”

“The light lives on,” my dad says softly, his borrowed hazel eyes meeting mine with such meaning that my throat tightens. “In more ways than some might expect.”

This crown is more than just a pretty token or a beautiful piece of jewellery. To me, it’s a bridge between the past and the present.

A physical manifestation of who I was born to be… and who I am choosing to become.

I just hope I can do my mum proud—do them all proud.