34. Regent #3
“All I know is Dahlia ambushed Master Kain that night. We were out at sea, and some of his own men turned against him. Dahlia also has a randor blade, and he wouldn’t let me help him,” her voice breaks.
“I could’ve fought by his side. I mean, we were on the water for Felia’s sake.
But instead, he stole my voice so I couldn’t say my singular chant to connect with his magic.
He shipped me away, and when all the pieces began to fall, and my binding started to come undone, I ran into you. ”
“How lucky.”
She breaks out in unhinged laughter, and I nuzzle into her throat, wanting everything in my power to take this pain away from her.
“He did what most would as a father. The night I found you and took you to Lake Mahoori, there was a man standing by the lake, a water greer. He was with you until the very end.” Tears well in her eyes, and I wipe them away.
“He wants you to survive. He wants you to become strong.”
“But what if I’m not what he thought I was?” she whispers, and my heart wavers by her raw vulnerability. I press a kiss to one of her tears, willing them away, wanting to remove the pain. I’ve known a lifetime of misery, and if I could take hers, I would.
“A wise man doesn’t always make sense. But if he raised you, you should have faith in the type of person he was. The deal you made at Lake Mahoori, do you remember any of it?”
She shakes her head, her arms wrapping around my neck, a comfort that, despite it all, we’re still alive.
“When my binding came undone as a child, six powerful greers took the place of my former ancestors through a blood ritual to keep me bound. However, once my master died, it fractured that. Every member that dies will only continue to splinter my binding, and if I don’t master all the elements by then, my magic will destroy me.
What I bargained with in Lake Mahoori has delayed the unbinding, but it’s not the same; it’s still broken.
I can still feel it slowly eating away unless I release it in powerful bursts. ”
It’s obvious that had I not taken her to Lake Mahoori, she most likely wouldn’t have survived that first fracture.
Her eyebrows crinkle as she thinks harder, and Grimace jumps into her lap. “I never spoke to the Fates before all of this unfolded, but the night before it all happened, they came to me. They possessed a friend, Selena, and I have a feeling it was them who spoke to me in Lake Mahoori.”
“What did they say?”
She seems reluctant to share, most likely because the Fates often speak in riddles. She might worry that she’ll sound mad. But finally she confesses, “Meet us at the bottom of the sea.” My jaw ticks, my suspicions confirmed. “Do you know what that means?”
“The Fates enjoy riddles. They’ve become mad over time.
I don’t know what the sea means to them.
” I try to keep my connection with the gods as severed as possible, but even I know when to withdraw my stubbornness when I’m already being played.
The Fates, it would appear, have been playing both of us.
“Does Dahlia Seranto know what you are?”
“Yes, she’s one of the other five who bind me.”
Great. Which means she will be relentless in her pursuit. Another enemy to evade. “That’s why you have to return?”
“Yes,” she breathes, looking up at me. “I have Blaze now, but there are others there I love.” The mention of his name jolts fire into my bloodstream.
“My master deserves more. I might not be the person to rule his kingdom, but I refuse to let all he stood for perish, and others suffer because of it. He was also so afraid I’d lean toward Felia.
My magic is born of her influence, and so if that is the one thing that will keep me sane, clinging to his ideals, I want to make him proud.
I want to remember my parents, as well, and I somehow feel this will only bring me closer to them.
” She falls silent for a moment, her head resting on my chest, her arms wrapping around my neck as she asks, “Can you help me get stronger?”
How could I ever say no?
“I can teach you earth magic, but I warn you, Denva, I’m not what you think I am. Harnessing and learning with my magic is dangerous.”
She smiles, cupping my jaw thoughtfully. “Are you saying that I’m not dangerous?”
“You’re very dangerous,” I growl, smiling as I brush my nose against hers. “The worst I’ve met so far.”
“There’s no higher compliment,” she whispers, her magic falling into ease with mine. “And I will help you with what it is you need to find to lift your curse.”
The reminder acts as a cold bucket of ice, the reality of the outcome absolute. That no matter what, our paths will still inevitably be torn apart. Especially when she lifts my curse.
“I will protect you until then,” I promise her, the very least I can do as I bring my forehead to hers, shoving away all my primal needs to claim every inch of her. Shoving it so deeply inside that it hurts.
“You don’t have to protect me, Regent, you just have to teach me how to become strong.”
“You are already strong, Denva. However, I can help you sharpen your magic like a blade.”
I find myself grateful for this moment.
As something I can cherish.
A small gift that might rekindle my faith in humanity.
No, not humanity. Her.