Fifteen #2
“Distracting them,” my father explained before he faced the forest and closed his eyes.
I felt a pang of guilt. My mother was providing a distraction because the faltering wards were a secret.
Except Adrian already knew the truth. “I don’t understand,” my father said.
His fair brows knitted in confusion. “The barrier is still growing weaker. I had hoped that with Luna transferring her magic, we would be able to slow the deterioration or even reverse it. But it hasn’t helped.
It is as if something is working against us. ”
“Or someone,” I said low as trepidation curled down my spine. “What if the Fae can sense the wards failing and are actively trying to bring them down from their side?”
Heavy silence settled over our small group as the three of us peered into the woods.
“Father said there was a ‘sighting’ here a week ago, but that was only one Fae. Wouldn’t we be seeing more of them if that were the case?” Sebastian said from where he stood on the king’s right side.
“Not if they can mask their presence somehow,” I mused. “Their magic is believed to be stronger than ours. They might be hiding in plain sight.”
“What a chilling thought,” Sebastian replied. “Are you saying that the Fae could be watching us this very moment from the other side of the border?”
“We really don’t know what’s on the other side.”
“Yes, we do—our enemy,” my father spoke up in a gravely voice.
“The Fae are vicious and cunning, and if they are able to come over, they will bring nothing but pain and suffering like they did one hundred years ago.” His expression was grim as he turned to me.
“Emelin, it has become too dangerous for you to stay here. You should return to the capital with us.”
“What?! No!” I exclaimed. “Father, I’ve been able to unlock my magic. I want to stay so I can learn to control it.”
“And is that the only reason?” Sebastian asked, peeking from behind my father’s wide back.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “And what about you? Are you able to help reinforce the wards?”
His teasing smile fell. “My magic is growing stronger, but I’m not there yet.”
“Do you really want to stay?” the king asked, watching me closely.
I didn’t hesitate before I answered. “I do.”
His jaw flexed as he looked conflicted—he didn’t want me to stay, but he also didn’t want to take the choice away from me.
“In two weeks, you will be attending the Solstice Ball. If there is another ‘sighting’ between now and then, you will stay in the capital and not return here.”
I nodded in understanding, relieved that I didn’t have to leave.
“We should triple the border guard,” Sebastian suggested. “Father, will you tell Lord Gray about the wards?”
He already knows, was on the tip of my tongue.
The king shook his head. “It’s not yet time for him to know. I will dispatch more guards to the border, but I will explain that it’s because of the ‘sighting’ and not for any other reason. Now, give me a few minutes to transfer my magic into the wards.”
I opened my mouth to argue that Adrian needed to know the truth, but my brother gave a slight shake of his head, letting me know not to push the issue. “Walk with me.” He offered me his arm. After I had accepted it, we left the king’s side to stroll along the length of the border.
“I don’t understand why he’s so reluctant to tell the truth,” I said under my breath.
Sebastian was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed straight ahead. “Em, do you know why there is no wall or fence on the border?” he finally said.
“No, I don’t. I have wondered about that, especially since I read that the Fae can’t tolerate iron.”
“Because our people’s faith in the wards is stronger than any metal. They place their trust in something they cannot see or feel. They only know the barrier exists because we tell them that it does. Once that trust is broken, there will be no going back or undoing it.”
“But aren’t we betraying their trust by hiding the truth?”
“Not if the crisis is averted, and our people can keep living in peace, blissfully unaware of how close we came to our doom. Think about it. There is nothing they can do, even if they knew the truth. We are a nation of healers, not fighters.”
I glanced at his profile as we kept walking.
He was a genial person like my mother but had my father’s steeliness to him.
He wouldn’t have given in to the pressure and disclosed the truth to Adrian like I had.
I was once again overcome with relief that Sebastian was the future king.
There was no doubt in my mind that he would be the leader Emeraldia needed when his time came.
When I faced forward again, my mother, Adrian, and Tom were walking toward us.
One side of the lord’s mouth turned up when our gazes met.
“Lord Gray,” Sebastian said when we caught up with them. “Lady May wanted me to tell you that she hopes you’re making her proud and keeping the estate in a tip-top shape.”
Adrian chuckled. “You can see for yourself, Your Highness, when we get back to the manor.”
“And what about Zalie? How are the farmers faring?”
While they were in conversation about the state of the region, I wandered off from the border.
My thoughts were scattered as I contemplated what Sebastian and I had discussed.
He believed that there was nothing our people could do if they knew the truth, but there was, wasn’t there?
We could recruit more men into our army and evacuate women and children overseas.
I scowled as the flaw in my plan immediately presented itself.
By sending our people away, we would diminish the amount of magic being transferred into the land, thus expediting its decline.
Stopping in my tracks, I turned around and found my father standing by the border.
My mother had joined him in the few minutes I had been lost in thought. They stood resolute, facing the forest.
“Emelin, are you all right?” Adrian asked close to my right. He had separated from my brother and Tom and walked over to me.
I heaved a heavy sigh. “I don’t know how he does it. With everything happening lately, every decision he has to make must seem impossible.”
The lord followed my gaze to my father. “They often are. I imagine he chooses the course of action that would render the best outcome for the entire kingdom, even if an individual few might suffer.”
“I wish we could tell everyone the truth. It goes against my very nature to hide it.”
“I’m sure the king feels the same way, but he has to be strategic about when and how he reveals the truth. Sometimes we can’t follow our hearts and must rely on our heads instead.”
Impressed by the insight, I studied his striking features. At times it was hard to believe that he was only a few years older than me—four to be exact—as I had found when I’d asked him his age. “You are wise beyond your years.”
“You seem surprised.” He brought a hand to his chest, pretending to be offended. “Are you only now discovering that?” When I chuckled at the feigned insult, he said, “There it is. A smile.” He was smiling, too. “You should be happy. Your whole family came down to see you.”
“I am happy to see them. I only wish it were under better circumstances. They came down because you reported a ‘sighting’. A few minutes ago, my father was urging me to return to the capital with them.”
He assumed a sober expression as his gaze searched my face. “What did you tell him?”
I stared back. “Do you think I should leave?” The underlying question was: “Do you want me to leave?” It was a test, though I wasn’t sure what I would do if he said ‘yes’.
He looked conflicted. “It’s my duty to tell you to listen to the king because you’ll be safer in the capital…” My breath caught as silence reigned for a moment before he added, “But I can’t bring myself to do it.”
With my heart aflutter in my chest, I teased, “I thought we shouldn’t listen to our hearts and must rely on our heads instead?”
“I know, I know. I’m not following my own advice.” He shook his head.
I gave a small smile. “I have already told him that I’m staying.”
“Good.” We stared at each other for a few seconds, and the air between us became taut like it always did…until Tom cleared his throat loudly, interrupting the moment between us like he always did.
“We’re leaving,” he said, gesturing to the carriages.
When I looked in that direction, Sebastian was helping my parents board the royal coach.
My father must have been exhausted after the magic transfer, which prompted the change in the seating arrangement.
As Tom turned his back to us and set off toward the other carriage, Adrian offered: “You’re welcome to ride back with me. ”
“Only if we can leave your adviser behind,” I said under my breath.
He huffed out a laugh before schooling his features. “You know we can’t do that.”
“I know,” I grumbled. “I’ll ride with my family. I’ll see you back at the manor.”
“Sounds good.” As I took a step away from him, he added, “Emelin?” I halted and looked at him. His silver eyes were bright as he said, “I’m glad you’re staying.”
“So am I,” I answered shakily. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for a new relationship, but I had bought myself more time to find out.