Chapter Eight #2
“My men.” An ache spread through my chest. Although I’d only held it once, I recalled the flat, smooth surface of the stone. “I remember it had a bunch of colors in it.”
“Colors with a deeper meaning,” he said. “Each one represents the eyes of your lovers. The original five, anyway. Callum wasn’t included at the time.”
“The trip to Exalos opened my route with him, right?” I asked.
He nodded. “Though that was simply the pivotal point in your romance. It actually began long before then.”
“It did?”
Another nod. “You recall waking in the field beside the dark wood? It’s because the knights weren’t the ones you were originally meant to encounter first in this realm. One of your other men… one you’ve yet to realize… was intended to be your first.”
The hair at my nape tingled. “Really? What changed?”
“As I’ve stated before, every decision alters a person’s intended path. In this case, your captain’s choices steered you both in another direction.”
“Maddox?”
“Yes. He and Lieutenant Callum were originally scheduled to patrol along the king’s road and down to the lower district that morning, yet instead his gut led him to the field outside the dark wood. Straight to you.”
My belly flip-flopped. “What would’ve happened if he hadn’t found me first?”
“Your life right now would be drastically different. You wouldn’t have your café, nor would you be such good friends with Sawyer and Kuya. The guards, Finnian and Ban, would be strangers to you, as would Miles. And Callum would no longer be here.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Something heavy churned in my stomach.
“Callum was fated to die in the future I initially saw for you. He sacrificed himself for his captain.”
The blood drained from my face. “Why… why would he have to do that?” Tears blurred my vision. I couldn’t imagine a world where my cinnamon roll didn’t exist. “Why was Maddox in danger to begin with? What—”
“Calm yourself, Evander,” Lupin gently interjected. “That future is nothing more than what could’ve been. There’s no sense in dwelling on it now.”
I tried to find comfort in his words, but it just fucked with my head even more. I’d been so close to losing Callum. So close to having a completely different life than what I had now.
“Wait.” A chill snaked down my spine. “You once said that one of my destined men would either love me… or kill me. I’m assuming this mystery guy is my maybe-assassin?”
Regret shone in his expression. “I can’t say. Knowing the answer could alter your decisions going forward.”
“You’re so frustrating. Can’t say this and can’t say that. The least you could do is give me the name of the man who might freaking murder me someday.”
I felt my cheeks puff out.
“Oh, so that’s the sad toad face I hear so much about.” Amusement rang in his voice. “It’s nearly pitiful enough for me to give in and tell you. Lucky for me, my will is strong.”
“You’re such an asshole.”
“Asshole?” He put a hand to his chest. “How rude. I prefer to be called a butthole wizard extraordinaire, thank you kindly.”
I snorted, my irritation at him lifting. He might’ve been a mysterious jerk, but he genuinely cared for me. Otherwise, he wouldn’t keep risking further repercussions from the council of mages by visiting me.
The weight of everything settled over me, heavier now.
“You gotta give me more than this, Lupin.” I rubbed at my eyes.
God, I was tired, physically and emotionally drained.
“You say my dad died protecting me but won’t say why other than it involved a rare power inside me.
You won’t tell me who might kill me someday.
As always, you drop huge bombs on me, and I’m left spiraling. ”
“And as always, I apologize for it,” he softly responded.
“While I’m unable to reveal anything that might interfere with your future choices or alter your current path, you deserve answers.
So I will tell you what I can. The spy’s theory, along with what Briar has shared with you, opened the door for me to reveal what I couldn’t before. ”
I peeked at him between my fingers.
“Your mother was a light mage.”
My brain screeched to a halt. “What?”
“Just as there are dark mages, so must there be light. It’s what keeps the balance in the universe.
Your mother’s magic was beautiful. Gentle.
I sensed it the moment I first met her.” He relaxed against the sink, hands sinking into his trousers pockets.
“You recall how the people of Exalos mentioned they believed her food had healing properties? Because it did.”
“Okay.” I tried not to let my thoughts race too much and send me into another panic. “Is that my gift too? I’m a light mage?”
“No. As I said before, you’re much rarer. Something far greater than a mage.” Lupin returned his gaze to the window. Sunlight came through the glass, projecting the colors on the wall and areas of the floor. “A child of light and dark.”
“Uh, what?”
“People whose very essence consists of magic in its purest form, possessing the powers of both day and night. Of light and dark. Legends claim they hold the power of the gods in their hands.”
“The… gods?” Blood rushed in my ears. “You got the wrong guy.”
“I’m not saying you’re a god.” He fought a smile. “Only that you have a true gift. A calling.”
“A calling? God. You make me sound like a superhero or something.” I wrung my hands together before forcing them to still on my lap. “Only you can save the world, oh muffin lord. It’s all up to you now. Send forth your army of coffee and tasty treats to unite the lands and bring world peace.”
“After all you’ve been through, I’m glad to know your sense of humor remains intact.”
“Glad someone finds this amusing.” I picked at a speck of cupcake batter that’d dried on my wrist, reminding me I still needed to take a bath. But I needed answers more. “So, is this why the mercenary is after me?”
“Yes. There hasn’t been another like you in many, many years. All conditions must be perfect for a child like you to be born. It’s why you’re so rare.”
His words didn’t compute. They just smacked my brain and bounced off like rubber. This was the type of stuff that happened to people in superhero movies, being told they have a grand purpose. That they’re special.
“What about the bandit attacks last summer targeting Prince Sawyer and the infiltration that followed?” I asked. “They thought he was me?”
A slight hesitation. “Yes and no. Briar’s theory was correct about your presence in Bremloc alerting the ones after you. However, the infiltration from Haran and previous capture attempts truly were aimed at Sawyer.”
“Why? To make King Eidolon bow to Haran’s demands?”
He nodded. “King Silas knows how deeply Eidolon loves his son. How he’d do anything to protect him. He took advantage of that love.”
“So how did Nocturne get involved?”
He hesitated again.
“Lupin…”
“Your protection stone.” His gaze returned to the corner of the room, brow furrowed. “When Rowan removed it during your first meeting, it was like a beacon to those seeking you. By the time they arrived in the kingdom, you were wearing it once again and undetectable.”
So Sawyer and I had both been targeted. Him for having a loving father and me for being… whatever the hell I was.
“What does it all mean?” I asked, struggling to understand. “Possessing the powers of light and dark.”
“I can’t reveal too much.” He showed his palms in an apologetic gesture. “Only that those with your gift are meant for extraordinary things.”
“Like what?”
“Well, the one before you came at the height of the human and demon war. She ended the demon lord’s reign.”
“Lord Onyx?”
“His father,” he clarified. “She drove back the demonic army and helped make Bremloc what it is today.”
“You can’t be serious.” Nerves assaulted my belly and exploded upward, bouncing between my ribs like pieces of shrapnel.
“I’m not heroic or strong, Lupin. I sure as hell can’t fight demon lords.
I punched myself in the face once while trying to pull up my blanket.
Does that sound heroic to you? No. Baking amenity muffins and handing out peace tea?
Sure. I’ve done it loads of times when trying to get my men to behave and consider myself quite the pro.
But I can’t, like, actually fight. Or do magic. Or anything that requires me to run.”
“Evander? You’re talking too fast. Take a breath.”
I deeply inhaled and sharply exhaled.
“Good. Now take another but slower.”
I sucked in another breath and slowly released it.
“Better?” he asked.
“A little. Would hate to see my blood pressure right now though.” I rested a hand over my heart. “You said all conditions must be perfect for someone like me to be born. How?”
“The answer lies in your blood.”
“My blood?”
“A child of light and dark.”
“More riddles? That’s it.” I searched for something to lob at him and zeroed in on the soap bottles lining the tub. “Do you want to smell like lavender or pine? Because I’m about to chuck one of these at you.”
“Now, now. Calm down.” Lupin eyed the bottle inches from my hand. “No need to resort to violence.”
“Speak now, wizard, or face my wrath.”
His lips twitched. “It’s not a riddle. I simply answered your question. A child of a light mage… and a dark mage.”
My scalp prickled. “You’re saying my dad was…”
“A dark mage,” he said, finishing my unspoken thought.
“Quite the scandal when he was born. A royal hadn’t been born with magic in several generations, let alone with dark magic.
Some believed he was an illegitimate heir, that the queen had been unfaithful to the king.
Untrue, of course, yet it made him a sort of pariah within the family, as well as within the council and among foreign nations. Apart from one.”
“Haran,” I whispered.