Chapter 4 #3
“Probably because Ellisar barely knows him, and he certainly doesn’t trust him. Gavin arrives claiming he found the missing queen, witnessed an impossible crown, and deserves whatever prestige comes with delivering you to Vathis. Ellisar’s first question will be what Gavin stands to gain by lying.”
Imani played with a branch against her brow. “Quite a lot.”
“Exactly. Gavin could swear the roots moved, the flowers poisoned five men, and the saints themselves descended to kiss your feet. Ellisar would still want proof he could verify himself.”
“Would he allow someone else to touch it in front of him?”
“Never. Not for a test that could kill them.” Esa grew contemplative. “If touching the crown is the only proof he trusts, he’ll do it himself. He won’t gamble one of his people’s lives on Gavin’s story.”
“Even if he risks his own life?”
“He’ll do it.”
Imani picked at a frayed thread on her dress. She wasn’t too proud to admit that Ellisar made her nervous. Kiran moved on desire and impulse, but Ellisar moved with absolute purpose.
Unable to stand the silence, Imani shut her eyes. “Esa, why did you come back for me? You were free to go anywhere.”
Esa’s throat bobbed. “Because eventually, I still need to go to the Under. My brother died knowing things I don’t, and I think we’re going to need those answers before this is over.” She gave Imani a pointed look. “Besides, you have unfinished business there, too.”
Imani worried her lip, then muttered, “My father.”
“Yes. Eventually, you must find him. But not now.” Esa leaned closer. “There’s more than a war brewing between our kingdoms, Imani. I think this involves the other realms.”
Imani reared back, stunned. “The other realms? What could they possibly want with us?”
“I think it’s about the Source.”
“The what?”
“Did they teach you nothing during your magical education?”
“You forget that my education was mostly survival,” Imani muttered, cheeks warming.
Esa frowned. “It’s not common knowledge. Most witches would never have reason to study it. But at our level? The Source comes up in advanced magical theory.”
“Apparently my tutors decided keeping me alive was more important than theoretical magic.”
“In fairness, they may have had a point.”
“What is it?” Imani’s curiosity burned through her pride.
“The Source fuels the magic of the Fabric,” Esa explained. “It’s tied to the roots of the Tree of Life, linking all realms. It’s nearly impossible to find, guarded by a rogue band of immortal warriors who have held the line for millennia. The other realms want it.”
“Why would they care about us, though?”
“Because they believe the Source is hidden here, in the Mesial Realm.” Esa’s expression turned serious. “My brother studied it before he died. I think he knew more than he ever told me—where it might be, what’s happening to it, and maybe why the other realms are suddenly interested.”
“And you think you can ask him?”
“Someday.” Esa glanced toward the mercenaries beyond the wagon before lowering her voice again.
“I don’t even know enough yet to know what questions to ask.
We need to understand what’s happening here first. Your crown.
Kiran. The Fabric. Whatever the other realms are doing.
Then, if my brother really does have the answers, we find a way to reach him. ”
“Esa, you can’t just stroll into the realm of the dead,” Imani hissed. “The dead don’t mingle with the living.”
“No, but you can. You’re a creature of the Under. You can take stowaways.”
“What makes you think I’ll take you? I have my hands full trying not to be assassinated.”
“I know.” Esa’s nostrils flared. “Which is why I’m not asking you to go now. I’m asking you not to forget what comes after.”
Imani could only blink, a lump forming in her throat at everything that lay ahead.
“If I’m right about the Source, this war is only part of the problem,” Esa continued. “Something is happening to the Fabric, and sooner or later, we’re going to have to understand why. My brother might be our best chance of doing that.”
“Does Kiran need to be with me to open the doorway?” Imani’s hands clenched at her sides.
“No. He only needed you there to prove to Mataus that you were heartmates, making you contenders for the Under’s throne.”
Dread spread through Imani’s chest. She didn’t want to be a monarch of the Under, especially not at Kiran’s side.
Let another Heir Apparent take the Crown.
She had too much to fix right here in the living world.
For now, that was enough. Essenheim came first. The Crown came first. Kiran and whatever waited for her in Vathis could kill her long before the Source ever became her problem.
But she looked at Esa’s torn wings and battered skin and knew the Under had not disappeared simply because she refused to face it yet. One day, she would find her father.
And when the time came to understand what was happening to the Fabric, she would help Esa find her brother too. Imani loved her magic too much to let the realms tear themselves apart.