Page 67 of Shadowbound

I stare at them, uncomprehending. Are they really that excited that their ruler is dead?

Apparently so, because the lot of them start slapping each other on the back and grinning and shaking hands. Meanwhile, the grizzly sight of the blackened skeleton sitting silent on the golden throne doesn’t seem to bother them at all.

It’s bothering Alaric though. When I drag my eyes from the GodKing’s skull to my Paladin’s eyes, I can see the horror in them.

I want to go to him, but the Heart of the Eclipse suddenly gives out a bright beam of light that’s nearly blinding. Everyone gasps but it doesn’t happen again. As everyone is blinking and shaking their heads, the priest suddenly points at Alaric and says,

“I have seen it—the will of the Old Gods! Our brave Paladin must be the new GodKing!”

The Councilors seem to like this idea. They all clap and cheer and begin to chant,

“God-King! God-King! God-King!”

“Stop!” Alaric cries and when they won’t, he roars, “STOP” using the voice of his Drake.

They stop then, their eyes wide with shock.

“I am not the GodKing,” Alaric tells them, shaking his head. “I never meant for this to happen. I brought The Heart of the Eclipse here hoping to heal the GodKing and our nation—not to hurt them.”

He looks down at the chest, staring at The Heart still glimmering within. I can see how heavy the GodKing’s death weighs on him. He feels responsible though it isn’t his fault.

“But Sir Alaric, you haven’t hurt Solaris at all,” one of the councilors says.

“No—it was the old GodKing who was hurting us. He cut off all trade with our neighbors—he isolated us,” another councilor says.

“And of course, he wouldn’t listen when we begged him not to. He thought he knew best about everything,” a third remarks. “He simply wouldn’t listen to reason!”

“We’ve all been praying for his death for years, but somehow he was able to unnaturally extend his life,” the priest adds.

“We know you have the good of Solaris at heart—which is why you would make a perfect GodKing,” the first councilor says. “What say you? Will you rule us with honesty and integrity? The priest here can bless your reign right now and we can crown you by tonight!”

Alaric looks to me and I give him a nod. This is his true destiny—he can lead his country in the right direction now. He can mend the relationships with all the neighboring kingdoms the GodKing damaged. He can do so much good if only he stays here in Solaris.

Slowly, he nods.

“All right,” he says at last. “I’ll do it.”

The Councilors cheer and the priest comes forward to bless him. But through it all, Alaric’s eyes are resting on me—not any of the other people in the room. I wonder if he feels our impending parting as deeply as I do.

There’s no way I could or would block his destiny. Surely The Heart of the Eclipse has something to do with this. It must have gotten rid of the old GodKing to make way for Alaric. He’ll be an honest and just ruler. And he’ll have no need of me.

I turn to go, but Alaric shoulders his way through the crowd of councilors and comes after me.

“Wait!” he exclaims, as I pull out my travel crystal. “Sylvanna, please—don’t go!”

I turn to him, frowning.

“I must. I have to get back to Nocturna.”

“And never see me again? Is that it?” he demands, his voice hoarse with emotion.

I shake my head.

“Your destiny is here, my Lord. The Heart of the Eclipse puts all things right and it has put you on the throne of Solaris. You can do much good for your country by remaining here to serve your people. Just as I must go back to Nocturna and serve mine.”

“Don’t call me ‘my Lord!’” he exclaims, then he turns to the crowd of Councilors and the priest and guards and shouts, “Everyone out—NOW!”

His Drake’s voice is like thunder and it gets their attention at once. Their eyes wide, they file out of the throne room leaving the two of us alone in the vast, golden space. Alaric puts down the chest with The Heart in it and comes towards me.

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