Chapter 20 #3
“I have a task for you, one I wish for you to carry out as emissary of this court.” A message that would come best from his lips, because I wanted to see how Elduin would react when he heard Oberon was the one delivering my message to the other courts.
“Visit each court and inform them that no steel will leave these lands until I say so. Trade with other courts is suspended until further notice.”
Oberon grinned and mock bowed, bringing one arm out gracefully at his side. “It would be my pleasure.”
When he disappeared in darkness flecked with golden starlight, I did the same, reappearing at the entrance of the dungeon. I hurried down the steps to the cells, not slowing until I was before Neve.
She sat in one corner of her cell, close to her hoard, gripping the lacquered wooden box that contained An’sidwain as she rocked back and forth.
“Who was that male?” I asked, keeping my tone hard and demanding even as part of me softened at the sight of her so shaken, so afraid. “I want to know who he is, what connection you share, and why he wants that stone you guard so fiercely.”
She lifted terrified amber eyes to meet mine, her fingers bone white as she held the box. “He almost found me.”
I nodded, refusing to break, needing to push her because I needed answers. “Neve, tell me who he is. He harmed my people. He threatened them.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I am sorry. I am sorry, Kaeleron.”
I crouched before her, gripping the bars that separated us, feeling the power in them. Magic that kept her hidden from the male who had come to my court today.
“Who is he?” I did not mean to soften, but that question came out far too gentle, no trace of demand in it. Only a plea for her to tell me, so I might be able to protect my court from his wrath if he ever returned.
So I might be able to protect her.
She bit her lip so hard she drew blood as she lowered her gaze from mine, staring at the box she had a death grip on, and then she whispered, “I bear the power to subjugate.”
Six words that would have knocked me on my rear had I not been gripping the bars.
“Subjugate one person… or many?” I had the terrible feeling it was the latter.
“Many,” she murmured as her eyes tentatively lifted to meet mine.
Something like shame or guilt in them.
Shame that she had the power to control many or guilt that she had done so in the past?
Neve did not strike me as the sort of female who would do such a thing, who could subject people to such horror as having their bodies and minds controlled against their will. I was sure she had chastised Oberon about it in the past. Perhaps guilt had made her angry with him for sowing discord.
Or perhaps it had been a hatred of the power she had shown no signs of possessing in the centuries I had known her.
“He craves it,” she whispered as she raised her eyes to the damp ceiling.
“Desires to covet it. He does not care that we are fated. He believes it a weapon he should control, even if it would break me. He is corrupted by power and greed, and part of me hoped that had changed since I had taken this piece of his heart.”
She shut her eyes and lifted the lid on the box that was facing me, revealing the pulsing ruby stone for a moment before she snapped it closed again and smothered it with her hands, her face twisting.
“The darkest, foulest, part of it.” Her eyes opened as she shook her head at me.
There was fear in that look too.
Fear that I might judge her because of her power. Fear that I might evict her. Fear that I would no longer look at her the same.
Fear that she would be alone again.
I held her gaze, pushing away all my anger and questions, ones I would have answers to in time, when she was ready.
I made sure she knew I meant the next words that left my lips. Three simple words that I knew would reassure her and mean the world to her, that would convince her she would never be alone again.
“It is time.”
Tears misted her eyes and her bloodstained lip trembled as she nodded. “It is time.”
She set the box among her hoard and got to her feet, coming to the door of her cell. I reached through the bars and took the arm she offered, clasping her forearm as she gripped mine.
I focused my power, reaching for that burning void within me, deep into my magic, my hand heating as I tightened my grip on her flesh, words forming in my heart and my mind, spiralling together into a blazing ribbon of magic.
She gritted her teeth as I unleashed it upon her.
Holding back her cry of pain.
I held back my own, jaw clenching as light and fire blazed through my veins, shooting towards my hand, to the point where we connected, feeling as if I might crumble under the intensity of it.
Delicate threads of shadow rose and formed, seeping into her skin from mine.
Binding her to me.
I pulled my hand away from her arm, revealing my brand as glittering fire trailed around the symbol I had imbued with the most ancient of magic, gifting her a ward that would conceal and protect her.
She peered at it and then poked it.
I turned away from her.
“Where are you going?” Her voice wobbled as I sensed her moving closer and I looked back at her where she now gripped the bars of her door, paler than before. She made no move to leave her cell.
She would find the courage to face her fears in time.
Just as I had.
I pivoted away from her and growled.
“To prepare for war.”