Chapter 51 #2
I look into his blazing amber eyes. I don’t see any other option…
His head falls forward, and he shakes it back and forth, red and orange blurring in his black hair.
Will you forgive me?
That snaps his attention back to me. I could never be mad at you. Ever. But that’s not a choice I want you to make.
I sigh. Sometimes we have to make choices that ensure the safety of other people. And if that’s what I have to do to save you, and Rory, and the others, then I’ll do it.
His face falls and cracks my heart in half.
But the sound of pattering feet breaks my concentration on Caelum, and the king glances over my shoulder.
When I turn my head, Maeve races through the arched doorway.
She slows herself as she observes the scene.
Moments later, Clara rushes into the room, slamming to a halt and panting.
Vespera rounds the corner, nearly colliding with Clara as her eyes fall on Isolde leaning casually against the wall.
They exchange a glance, and for a moment, I catch a glimmer of something in Isolde’s eyes.
“Maeve!” Clara hisses.
The young girl ignores her. Her dark eyes focus on the king standing in the center of the room. He looks at her in wonder. “Who do we have here?”
Maeve continues walking toward us, carefully stepping over piles of rubble.
“Maeve, get out of here! Go back to Clara. Now!” I plead.
She looks at me and flashes her knowing grin. “Don’t worry, Miss Camryn. It will all make sense soon.”
The king continues to gaze at the girl until she stops in front of him. He inhales sharply. “A powerful one you are.”
I want to grab her, wrap my arms around her shoulders and tuck her into my body out of his reach. But Maeve stands proudly.
“Your Majesty,” she says, dipping her head slightly. “Miss Camryn doesn’t know who she is or where she comes from. I would like to tell her. Perhaps it will help her decide.”
The king looks amused by the young girl’s confidence. “And what is your name, little one?”
“Maeve,” she replies, her eyes sharp.
The king crosses his arms. “By all means, Maeve, enlighten us.”
Her eyes stay locked on King Caledor. “You know she is a Dreamer, powerful enough to help you create the realm you desire. But she has a very important lineage that dates back to the time of your rule before you fled Silverveil.”
The king’s brow furrows. “Is that so?”
Maeve nods. “You spoke of people betraying you, your closest confidants. Perhaps you will remember a particular Dreamer named Lenux.”
King Caledor’s eyes flare.
Maeve continues. “He fell in love with a human woman, a servant, here in the castle. And he came to despise you and your callousness toward them. He hated your lust for control and power. To destroy just because you could.”
The king’s face hardens and his fists clench by his side. “Yes, I remember the traitor quite well.”
Maeve nods. “He knew you would end humans and eliminate their half-fae offspring. So when his lover fell pregnant, he made a decision. One night, he tricked you. He cast you into a pleasant dream that kept you captive in your unconsciousness while he snuck down to the pool of magic. There, he siphoned what he needed, and fled from the Northern Shadows. When he crossed the border into Whispering Glen, he opened the very first portal. One he hoped would save the humans and the fae who wanted to flee from your wrath.”
The king is shaking now, so furious I fear his power will burst through his skin.
“And when that day came, he ensured his lover was the first to escape. He stayed behind to help as many people through the portal as he could. But as he watched you turn the humans to vapor and cut down the rebellion, he made a choice to stay behind to close the portal. But within his spell, he weaved an incantation that would allow descendants of those who escaped to return to Silverveil when they were needed.”
The king bites his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. But he stays silent.
“He knew, even then, that his descendant would return and help the rebellion rise once again. And that person would be the only one who could dry up the magic pool beneath the mountain and seal off all portals. Forever.”
Maeve’s eyes slide to mine, and my heart pounds in my ears. “Camryn is the one. The descendant of Lenux, and the one who can restore eternal peace to Silverveil.”
My head spins.
Rory was right. She knew the king was after the magic pool. She knew he could create a new realm with it if he had me. But none of us could have known that I’m the one who can close them forever.
Maeve’s gaze returns to the visibly furious king. “And you know what happened when you learned Lenux betrayed you by stealing magic from the pool. But you never knew what he did with it.”
The king’s eyebrows rose at the memory. “Oh, yes. He paid dearly. Though now, I wish I could have tortured him a little longer.” He turns his gaze on me. “But it looks like he died in vain, for I have his descendant and we will do great things.”
All eyes in the room slide to me. I look down at Caelum, who gazes up at me. A single tear falls down his cheek, and I bend to wipe it away. He closes his eyes as my fingers brush his skin and when he opens them, his voice is soft in my mind. I’m sorry.
I tilt my head at my beautiful, heartbroken mate on his knees. For what?
For not killing him four hundred years ago. I could have stopped it before it ever began. But I was a coward.
I smile sadly at him. You couldn’t have known what he would do. You couldn’t have known I would be here some day.
He sighs. I should have stopped him, anyway.
It’s okay, my love. I need you to trust me. Everything will be alright. And you’re no coward. You’re my mate, and I love you.
His sobs are muffled behind his clamped lips. I love you.
Soren, Aurora, and Mei stand with wide eyes along the wall across the room. Arc and Draven look dumbfounded. Even Isolde appears shocked at the revelation.
The king’s silver-rimmed eyes shift to me, his jaw clenching. I inhale, realizing what he can force me to do with his powerful magic.
Tears well in my eyes. I can’t do this. My hold on the plan is slipping through my tightly gripped fingers.
When I gaze upon Maeve’s serene face again, she smiles and gives me the slightest nod. It’s time. It’s now or never.
I flash one last glance at Rory and then down at the face of my mate. My bright beam of light, who I’ve had to keep in the dark. I’m sorry.
His eyes widen, and I take a deep breath, the weight of this world settling into my bones.
And my eyes drift shut.