Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Vad
“ Y ou realize that, with time, focus, and exposure, the orb will enhance Colm’s powers.” Thalen bit his bottom lip, and the corners of his eyes tightened. “Why in the void would you want that? Imagine the other people he might harm.”
“I don’t care. He agreed not to harm her, and he won’t be able to hurt her when this is through. He won’t have them long enough to do much.”
Thalen’s brow creased, and I knew he understood I referenced Briar. “Should I bring your father’s as well? Those two orbs work in tandem.”
They did. The labradorite orb had been my father’s, and he’d given it to me shortly after Mother passed. Using the merlinite alone was dangerous, but I didn’t much care about Colm’s safety. “No. We may need the second for another favor.”
Thalen’s jaw clenched, and he tilted his head, staring into my eyes. His look was uncharacteristically serious. His right wing twitched again. “What about Elara? The orbs belonged to her parents, too.”
She’d be upset and wounded that I hadn’t conferred with her. But I was the king, and even though I didn’t want to upset her, Briar’s safety came before everything, even my sister’s feelings.
I ignored the guilt that weighed on my shoulders.
“We have other mementos and symbolic items with which we can mourn them both. She will understand. Regardless, it is my choice.” The vow I was about to demand of Colm was significant, and I had to offer something that could entice him to compromise whatever his position was with the people who wanted Briar to disappear.
The mastermind behind the assassination of my father had almost assuredly offered Colm something potent and tangible to get Colm to handle Briar.
And I couldn’t risk Colm doing something that would make the others in this conspiracy lash out at Briar in more dangerous ways.
They still had to think their plan was working.
We had to catch everyone who was involved in this sordid scheme and be strategic about how we connected them. They couldn’t become suspicious.
Thalen drew in a deep breath. “I’d have to leave you alone.”
“For a brief time.” It was hard to anticipate how long it would take. Time passed differently here, and there were spells and incantations to further warp the passage of time in certain places within the prison as well.
“You have no idea how long I'll be gone. It could be an hour or a matter of minutes, and you saw what those two guards did.” He leaned in closer, and his eyes flashed in challenge. “You can’t take on everyone if they turn on you?—”
“This is an order from your king,” I snapped, unblinking. “Use your magic to move faster if you’re so concerned, but do not trouble me with excuses.”
Huffing, Thalen gave a stern nod. “Try not to die while I’m gone, all right?” His usual levity splintered, but he darted away, his silver-white wings folded tight against his back.
I kept my pose controlled and at ease, hands braced at my belt and wings spread. My shadows hugged the wall, where I kept them and fought my urge to wrap them around Briar.
“Your guard leaves you unattended?” Colm’s brow furrowed.
I offered him a thin smile. “I sent him to retrieve a gift. Despite all that has happened, I feel that skills such as yours should be given their full due. He will meet us at the portal to the Shadow Palace Receiving Hall.”
Eyes sparking, Colm straightened. “Your Highness, a gift is not required. I am simply a tool for justice.”
“Is a gift truly a gift if it is required?” I arched my brow.
“I think you and I are in agreement in this matter. We both understand how imperative justice is.” I strode to him and placed a hand on his narrow shoulder.
“And Selvan, the last guard standing, understands that he and every other guard in this place must abide by what we have discussed, or they will be forced to endure the full wrath of the Shadow King?”
“It has been made explicitly clear, Your Highness.” Colm’s voice carried an undercurrent of warning. He clasped his hands behind his back and squared his shoulders.
I’d danced at the edge of insult, but I could navigate my response without going too far. With an outward smirk, I forced myself to turn away from Briar.
Even though this was his domain, I gestured for Colm to follow me. “Walk with me. I have never seen a dungeon set up quite like yours. How long have you managed this place? Disciplinary matters with those few guards aside, it seems as if you have quite the efficient organization.”
“Indeed, we do.” Colm's shoulders relaxed a touch as we headed toward the hallway.
I struggled to focus, even as I glanced at Briar, hoping she would meet my eyes for one more second.
As if Fate had listened, Briar glanced up, eyes shiny with unshed tears. My heart fractured, and even though I had to keep my stoic expression, I stepped into a shadow and allowed my magic to dart out once more, caressing her foot and calf to secretly tell her I loved her the best I could.
That brief second wasn’t enough, but I had to lead Colm away to solidify my plan. I tensed my wings, trying to ground myself. Briar’s ultimate safety had to be my top priority.
Forcing myself into the present, I listened raptly, parsing Colm’s words for anything that might help my plan while taking note of the layout in case that plan failed and I needed to know my way around to get Briar out.
We made our way through the broad passages, our footsteps echoing against the stone and our pace unhurried.
I kept my shadows coiled close, conserving their strength while maintaining the appearance of control.
Every muscle in my body ached with fatigue, but I kept my spine straight and my strides steady.
Over the distant screams and moans that filtered through the heavy air, Colm spoke of the prison and its history and purpose.
By the time we reached the portal through which Thalen and I had entered, Thalen had returned. He carried the box with both hands, his steps precise and his expression stoic.
“Ah. Excellent.” I took the box from Thalen and presented it to Colm.
The warm resinous scent filled my lungs, bright and rich with notes of citrus and myrrh, reminding me of better times and the many hours I had spent with my mother in the observatory, searching the sky.
I had no doubt that, if Mother hadn’t died, she would have approved of my plan…
and would have worried ceaselessly until Briar was safe.
Lips pursed, Colm waited for an explanation.
“Since you will soon be assisting me in preparing our dungeons and our executions, I want you to have something of the Shadow Kingdom. You may find it useful in your own endeavors, as I am certain you are also an individual who is constantly seeking to improve himself.”
Thalen remained just behind me, and though I couldn't see him, I could feel his concern.
Colm took the box and passed his clawed fingertips along the open lock.
The metal clicked softly, and he lifted the lid.
His eyes widened, and he exhaled. “This is…unexpectedly generous.” He cradled the polished red-brown wood with one hand and dipped the other in to caress the orb’s surface. “Merlinite?”
HIs tender gesture made my skin crawl. I hated how he touched what had belonged to my mother, but this had to be done. Briar’s life was worth everything to me.
“Merlinite carved from a single block and imbued with Shadow magic, though one does not have to wield Shadow magic to work with it.” For a time, he would begin to build his powers, but I had to remember that this man would not see the rising of the next full moon.
I could deal with my own unease and even my sister’s rage if it meant Briar would be safe.
Colm’s face transformed into a huge smile, and watching his delight even as he tried to hide it confirmed that this was going to work. This was the key to getting everything else set in place.
“It is a powerful stone. I can feel its energy even here. You have honored me greatly.” He placed his palm over it as his gaze sharpened.
If he pushed too hard to tap into the power of the orb to strengthen his own magic and did not take proper precautions, his magic could weaken and be more susceptible to overextension and could perhaps even injure him.
Father had always warned me that tapping into Shadow magic could sneak up on a person faster than any of the others’ magics in the realm and leave them weakened and vulnerable.
With a powerful enough channel, such as with the vesting, it could even cause death.
The merlinite orb wasn’t powerful enough to kill, but if Colm overused it, it could cause debilitating injuries and sap his magical strength for days. I could only hope he’d be foolish and overeager enough to overlook the danger during his exploration. It would be an added benefit if he did.
Colm was used to the balance and flow of Aureline magic. Shadow magic had no such balance.
Thalen arched an eyebrow as Colm continued to examine the orb. He rolled his eyes before asking Colm, “Shall we leave you alone with it?”
I shot Thalen a chastising look as if his statement hadn’t amused me, before returning my focus to Colm. “I am pleased that you appreciate the gift.”
Colm didn’t acknowledge Thalen’s quip. “This will allow me to craft far more horrifying tortures and methods of interrogation that can be unleashed at your coronation. Indeed, it will enhance my skills of persuasion significantly.”
Of course he would use it for torture. “I expect nothing less. The execution after the coronation will be spoken of for centuries to come, but…there is one favor I must ask to ensure that all goes to plan.”
Colm dragged his gaze from the orb to me. His fingers stilled on its surface. Despite my pretense, a gift this powerful didn’t come without at least one favor required in its wake. “And what might that be, Your Highness?”