Chapter 13 #2
I stared at him. Asking for a leader such as Colm to take a vow was a risky thing, but the man’s ego made him somewhat easy to manipulate.
My wings pulsed as the shadow energy within me ached to emerge again.
“I wish for you to speak a binding vow that you will do no harm to Briar in any fashion until the time of her formal execution in the Shadow Kingdom’s formal court. ”
After receiving a gift, it was discourteous to deny a favor.
Especially to a ruler, and a grieving one at that.
He could return the gift with claims of not being worthy of such an honor.
But Colm wanted the merlinite orb. A man like him could enhance his powers with weeks of dedicated focus in harnessing its energies… assuming he lived that long.
And he wouldn’t.
“You wish me to make a binding vow over something to which I have already pledged?” Colm’s thin eyebrow arched.
“The satisfaction of seeing such a wretched life brought low before the public of the Shadow Kingdom after a wedding and a coronation is more than incentive enough for me to keep her alive. To be permitted to participate in the grand and lavish proceedings that will lead to her excruciating demise is likewise a great honor.”
“If it is of no consequence and falls in line so well with your intent, then there’s no reason not to make the vow.” Thalen lifted one shoulder as he flashed Colm a crooked smile. “Sounds like everyone wins.”
Colm’s lips pressed into a tighter line. “It is not about intent.”
I raised a hand and channeled a more calm and somber tone.
“Of course. It is not that I don’t trust you, but both your guards intruded, and one attempted to stab me in the back.
” I savored this leverage. Though my plan hadn’t relied on it before, it certainly made it easier now.
“One is dead, yes, but the other entered as well in violation of standard hospitality for even the most common visitor, let alone royalty. This is about ensuring that I have done all within my power to bring my people the justice they deserve. I do not fear your actions in this, but I fear the recklessness of some of your men. As their leader, you answer for them as I answer for mine. And when I speak with the Shadow Council, they will ask me if a vow was given. I may not yet be king, but I must do my due diligence as a wise ruler would. Surely you understand.”
The shadows from the torches spaced evenly on the pockmarked wall loomed darker, subtly responding to me
Colm’s gaze moved from me back to the polished orb that lay in the center of the black velvet.
“Of course, Your Highness. I vow on my own life that no harm will come to Briar from me until the day of her formal execution in the Shadow King’s formal court.
May painful death take me if I violate this vow.
” He tilted his head as his clawed fingertips tapped the side of the box. Greed sparked in his murky green eyes.
A good start, but I noticed the omission.
I shook my head. “Not quite enough. As I said, the issue is not simply that you oversee these men but that they must be held to account. You said most are not so undisciplined, but the guards that I have seen were driven by emotion and barbarism. They seemed little more than animals, and I cannot trust their judgment, so there must be greater clarity. My instructions could not have been any clearer before, and yet they disobeyed. Now, I do not blame you for your men’s errors as a reflection of your personal character.
You can only work with the tools you are provided.
The Aurelines are renowned for their balance and wisdom.
As I have seen the level of your wisdom, I know you can control them so long as you have the right tools.
But it would be a great favor for you to grant me this assurance. ”
This was the true test. His jaw worked, and I could practically hear his thoughts spinning over whether the power to be gained from this orb over time was enough to offset whatever else he’d been promised.
I let the silence sit heavy between us and made no move to take the box. But my shadows coiled tighter within me, urging me to set them free. Another wave of nausea cut through me. I needed to get home—no. To the palace. It wasn’t home without Briar’s presence.
Eyes narrowing, Colm seemed to be contemplating the cost. Then, pressing his claw tips against the wooden box, he dipped his head forward.
“Very well. I extend my vow and so swear it on my own life and power that neither I nor my guards nor anyone in my employ or supervision shall cause any harm to Briar until her execution in the Shadow King’s formal court.
Should any harm come to her because of that, may my death be painful and slow. ”
Thalen cut his eyes at me. He didn’t need to say a word for me to know he was worried that Colm had so swiftly agreed.
It caused me a tinge of concern as well, but I accepted his vow with a slight incline of my head.
“I hope you will soon visit my palace so that we may begin the preparations. Briar will be transported to our prison as soon as arrangements can be made.” I needed to ensure whoever was guarding her did not fall prey to an attack as the guard had the night before.
Ironically, until I got this sorted out, she might be safer here than in my own kingdom's prison.
“It will be my honor to serve in this fashion.” Colm bowed deeper.
Final pleasantries aside, I forced myself to push back through the portal to the Receiving Hall. Each step I took farther away from Briar seemed to slice through my heart, but I needed to go back to put my plans into action.
In the hall, my own messenger hurried to me with missives ranging from condolences to offers of aid to gifts, and an update on the Aureline High Council.
“A few of the High Council arrived.” Buldan rushed the words out as he bowed at the waist. “The rest will arrive soon. We have placed them in the guest hall beyond the hall housing the bridal candidates. Is that satisfactory?”
“It is.” My mind spun and ached at the thought of all I had to accomplish before I could bring Briar back.
The height of the candles near the door indicated we were nearing the dawn hour.
Elara would wake soon, and I had to talk with her before any of the servants did.
The morning after a feast or celebration, she generally slept until noon, but I doubted that would be the case today.
Her own magic had likely sensed Father’s passing, and I didn’t want to risk her being alone and confused when she woke.
I could wait in her gathering room while I worked on the rest of my plans.
Thalen strode along beside me, saying nothing until we reached the high double doors of the royal family quarters. The familiar black and gold marbled walls soothed me after the harshness of the prison.
But then reality slammed into me, and my knees almost buckled.
Briar was still there and not with me .
My stomach soured, and the pleasant scents of incense, smoke, leather, and cologne seemed to mock my memory of the rot and filth that surrounded her.
Thalen prodded me as we passed a gold-framed painting that depicted one of my ancestors standing before the red river that flowed beneath our palace. “You do know you’re going to need to sleep sooner rather than later.”
I couldn’t rest until I had Briar in my arms, brought my father’s killers to justice, and got the orb back. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” The statement came out more like a growl than I intended.
“Yeah, well, that might be sooner rather than later. And I’m not imagining it. Your shadows are getting a lot more aggressive and decisive. Are you even fully in control of them?” His wings twitched as he scanned me up and down.
I shook my head, scoffing. It was hard to explain how they had transformed in the past hour.
The magic that had poured into me from the vesting was still chaotic.
It was like I embodied the ocean, and though I was aware of the shadows, they also seemed to have their own will.
Part of me suspected that, even if I hadn’t willed it, they would have gone to Briar’s defense anyway.
Something about her called to me in a way no one else had. Maybe it was the unusual nature of how the Shadow magic had been vested in me, but it felt as if Briar had awakened something far deeper than just love. “I am in control.”
“Color me cautious.” He folded his arms as we reached the intersection where the hall branched toward the family quarters.
He stopped short when I turned toward Elara’s rooms. “She won’t be up for hours.
Go rest, and you can talk with her when you wake.
I’ll find Silus and wait with him in case she rises early. ”
I shook my head and continued toward her door.
“No. I don’t want anyone else to tell her.
It’s a difficult and confusing situation.
She deserves to hear it from me, including why I’m doing some of the things I’m doing.
” I loved my sister and wouldn’t risk hurting her in this manner.
The explanation about the orb would have been hard enough without it coming on top of the tragedy of our father's passing.
The golden veins in the obsidian walls caught the low light of the torches, creating a peaceful atmosphere at odds with the turmoil inside me. Despite Father's murder and the chaos that had erupted, this hall remained unchanged—serene, dignified, eternal.
"You can wait with me if you wish," I conceded, too exhausted to argue. "But when Elara wakes, I need to speak with her alone. This news... it should come from me without an audience."
Thalen nodded, his silver curls catching the light. "I'll behave, Your Royal Moodiness. I promise not to make any jokes or quips that will make your life worse. I will offer only the ones that make your life better."
“So you’ll be silent then? Somehow, I find that unlikely.” I shot him a doubting glance.
As we neared Elara’s chambers, a sound caught my ear. I held up a hand to stop Thalen from responding as I stopped in front of her door.
Dread pooled in my gut. Someone was crying.
Elara.
No.
I clenched my hands. Had someone told her, or was she having a premonition? Maybe she’d had another nightmare or woken in pain? Not that I wished her more suffering, but…
My throat thickened as I held my hand over the ornate handle. I’d hoped to have more time to prepare what I wanted to say. But…there was no time.
I pressed the door open and stepped inside.
Elara sat on her embossed indigo settee, her shoulders hunched, her slender frame looking more fragile than I'd ever seen it.
Her long black hair hung loose around her face, and her glamour flickered like a dying candle before it stabilized.
For a moment, under the wavering illusion, I glimpsed the gauntness of her cheeks and the heaviness of the shadows under her eyes. Her ivory skin looked patchy.
Beside her stood Silus, one hand resting protectively on her shoulder, his usually stoic expression etched with sadness and concern. He looked up as I entered, his dark eyes meeting mine with a solemn hardness.
The bastard must have told her. I took a step toward her. "Elara…"
Tears glinted on her cheeks in the golden torchlight as she turned away from me. Her shoulders trembled as she tried to choke back sobs.
"You need to go. She doesn't want to see you." Silus moved in front of Elara, blocking her from my view. He wrinkled his nose in disgust.
Had he really just told me to leave?