Chapter 36
36
KAEL
“You are certain?”
Adren rarely lost his temper, but I’d asked him so many times, my friend appeared almost ready to do so.
“I am certain,” he said, though it was clear Adren wished to say something more. We stood in the palace courtyard, his horse readied, waiting for Mev. The others had bid their goodbyes earlier but Mev had been in training, as she was each morning. Lyra had returned to her duties so Mev received training from some of the most skilled of all Aetherians, including, at times, her father. The sessions had already begun to pay off. It would not take years, as it did for some, for Mev to see her full capabilities realized.
Adren studied the palace over my shoulder.
“Could you ever have imagined?”
“Never. To have pledged myself to a woman, both human and Aetherian? To live in Aethralis, in the palace, no less? Nay. Never.”
“And yet, I’ve not seen you happier in all my days.”
That I was. Mev and I reveled in learning more about each other as I watched her continue to flourish.
“I like it not.”
“Being happy?” he teased, deliberately misunderstanding.
“Adren—”
“We’ve discussed this, many times. There is no better way.”
“Tell no one,” I reiterated. “Not even Terran.”
On this, Adren and I disagreed. He thought my brother could be trusted, and I believed so as well. To a point. Or more accurately, until my father was involved. He clung to the man our father was rather than the one that had been consumed by hate.
“Not even Terran,” he agreed. “Do not look so worried. They will believe me.”
I was not so certain. The bond between Adren and me was well known, especially by my brother. If he suspected Adren was anything but disgusted by my union with Mev—if he had any inkling Adren’s purpose in returning to Gyoria was as a spy—his life would be in danger. It would not matter that he was a celebrated warrior. His ties to me, a known traitor as my father will have labeled me, would be Adren’s downfall.
“I cannot say how much time it might take to learn the Crystal’s location without raising suspicion.”
More time than Mev would be comfortable with, do doubt.
“Apologies,” Mev said, running up to us. I’d felt her coming and grabbed her by the waist as she tried to pass. Kissing her head before she broke free and went to Adren, I watched the two embrace.
“I do not want you to do this,” she said, squeezing him. My chest tightened at the sight of them. Adren’s loyalty to me had been unwavering. It was I who had fallen in love with Mev, forcing this situation. But Adren had said repeatedly, it had been his choice to follow me here as it was his choice to spy for us now. My father closing the Gate had never sat well with him, and Adren claimed there were many Gyorians who felt the same but were too loyal to the king to admit as much. It would be a delicate balance, aligning himself with such people while searching for the Wind Crystal.
At least we knew where the Stone of Mor’Vallis was located. When it was time, I would return to claim it and already had a plan to do so. But first, we needed the other artifacts.
“I will find it,” he said, releasing Mev. “You have my word.”
“We do not deserve you,” she said, tears falling onto her cheeks. I’d become accustomed to Mev’s show of emotion and loved that part of her. I loved every part of her, actually.
“There are no need for tears. It is a joyous day.”
“How so?” she asked as my arm slipped around Mev’s waist.
Adren turned, pointing to a spot far down the mountain. “Rowan,” he said, “is well on his way. The wheels have been set in motion and that Gate will be reopened.”
“Thank you,” I said. There were no other words to offer such a man as Adren.
He bowed, unnecessarily. “It is my honor to serve you both.”
With that, he left. Mounted and rode away, following Rowan’s path. They’d decided the two should not be seen together.
Mev sighed. “I feel useless, sitting here while they put themselves in danger.”
“I understand well. Sending Adren back alone does not sit right with me, but neither of us are likely to discover the Crystal’s location in Gyoria.”
“We’d be more likely put in a dungeon instead.”
I wished I could disagree with her. “As to Rowan, he will be safe enough. The man is clearly a skilled negotiator.”
“I wish I could go with him. From all I’ve heard, Thalassaria sounds amazing.”
“It is beautiful. You will see it, someday.”
Mev frowned. “You’re still mad at him?”
I sighed, weighing my words. Mev disliked any tension among us. Was I still angry with Rowan? “He could have told us sooner.”
“True. But you can understand why he did not?”
Perhaps. And Mev was right, that Rowan had proven a loyal member of our group and clearly his goals were aligned with our own. That he was traveling to Thalassaria to negotiate with Queen Lirael for use of the Tidal Pearl, when such a time became necessary, was proof of it.
“You are so stubborn.”
I leaned down to kiss her, lingering long enough to earn a whistle from a passerby. So many damn Aetherians in Aetheria.
“You love me despite it.”
“I do.”
“We will open it, Mev. I promise.”
“I know we will,” she said, her arms tightening around me. “And maybe, that’s what I’m afraid of.”