Page 26 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“I had a feeling the Myriad wouldn’t appreciate that vision.” An artificial smile rested on his face, and I saw the pain in his eyes. I wouldn’t ask, but he must have seen something bleak.

“I had to bring him an heirloom from my family. A weapon to give him to protect me with because I’m a helpless woman.” Lavenia’s voice was bright as she interrupted, annoyance and amusement mixing to drown out the unpleasantness. “So, I skipped down into the crypt and grabbed one of our grandfather’s swords.” She shrugged, and I chuckled at the thought of her grave robbing her own grandfather.

“How was the ceremony?” I jumped on the change of subject, wanting to relieve Dewalt of the grim look in his eyes.

“LONG!” “BORING!” It worked, as they both shouted at the same exact time and laughed.

“Mind and Body was the night before. Then Soul the next morning after the Myriad confirmed our divinity.”

“Confirmed it?” I didn’t know what she was talking about, and Dewalt began to explain.

“Well, the Mind ceremony is what we did in front of everyone, the part where we made all those obnoxious promises.” Dewalt laughed when Lavenia glared at him before she continued.

“Then the Body ceremony was later that night. A Myriad novice waited for us to demonstrate our shared abilities. Dewalt had to wake the novice up—they’d fallen asleep in an alcove in the hall. Thank the gods they can’t talk. It would make it so much worse.” Lavenia was cringing telling the story.

“They just waited there all night?” I was shocked and mildly disgusted. Dewalt chuckled before he answered.

“You’re not supposed to leave the room until you’ve—well, until your divinity is fully shared and you can demonstrate it. Lavenia was lucky mine wasso weakwe had no problem.” Dewalt shot a glare at Rainier, who grinned.

“Anyway, the novice escorts you to the temple the next morning. Drank from the font, all that nonsense.” I was curious about what “all that nonsense” was. I’d never met a conduit who had done the ritual, other than the king and queen, and didn’t think it was prudent to ask questions.

“Lucia used to joke that the font had to be full of the finest Nythyrian wine since the Myriad is so stingy with it.” Dewalt’s voice softened as he spoke. Rainier shot him a look, maybe of warning, but Dewalt continued. “She used to say it was why the Myriad didn’t talk, because they couldn’t string together words since they were drunk all the time.” He smiled at me, albeit sadly.

I felt a pang in my chest. Faxon never spoke of Lucia. Elora only did in passing; it was hard for her to think of a dead aunt she’d never met. But hearing our friends speak of her? It hurt, but in a freeing sort of way, like pulling out a splinter. She had been an important part of all of our lives—the most important part of mine. And she’d been ripped away so abruptly.

“Well, was she right?” A sad smile formed on my lips.

“No, it tasted like shit.” Dewalt laughed, the smile lighting up his face.

“I miss her,” Lavenia’s voice was quiet, barely more than a whisper. Rainier nodded in agreement.

“We missed you too.” Dewalt reached out and lightly smacked my leg. And I felt lighter.

Chapter 10

Weatetherestof our meal in companionable silence. I wondered if they would come with me to Darkhold or if I would be on my own. Rainier had said he’d help me find Elora and then kill Faxon, but there was no way he’d actually be able to. The Crown Prince of Vesta couldn’t drop what he was doing for me and my daughter. It was probably something he said in the heat of the moment when I was clearly on the verge of breaking. I knew it was something I’d have to deal with alone.

A rather loud part of me didn’t want to do it alone. I’d been doing everything alone for years, and that hadn’t gotten me anywhere, and this was possibly the most important thing I’d ever done. I planned to get some rest and arrange passage in the morning. I hoped Rainier would be able to help me with payment. He could ask my father for it. I assumed he’d be heading back to Ardian to finish whatever business he had with the Myriad there, and he could ask him then. I felt bad for assuming my father would cover it, but promptly decided not to care. Maybe Lavenia or Dewalt would accompany me. I wouldn’t ask them, but I wasn’t sure I could do this myself. Could I be trusted to make the decisions necessary to get her back?

“I plan to book passage to Mindengar in the morning. Thank you for everything you three have done for me.”

“What?” Dewalt dropped his fork onto his plate with a clatter.

“I don’t expect, nor will I ask any of you to come with me,” I clarified.

“No.” Rainier’s voice was low, his eyes narrowed on me.

“No, what?” I retorted. His plate and bowl were on the ground next to him. One leg resting on top of the other, he still leaned against the closet door behind him, his arms crossed. He didn’t look anything like a prince, leaning there so casually, but his tone and demeanor left no doubt.

“You’re not going to Mindengar by yourself. Shit, Em, you’re not going to Mindengar at all.” His eyes flashed as he stared me down, recognizing my posture as combative. He still knew me well.

“She’s my daughter, Rainier. I’d like to see you stop me.” My chin lifted as I stared at him in defiance. As if sensing Rainier and I would enter yet another battle of wills, Lavenia gently put her hand on my arm.

“Emmeline, once they get her to Darkhold, she will be so heavily guarded, none of us would stand a chance at getting to her.”

“What’s your plan, Emma? Even if you can find her, how will you both get out? Alive, I might add.” Dewalt’s voice was kind, if patronizing.

“So, you would have me do nothing?” I didn’t care if they were right. Rainier leaned forward, emerald eyes meeting mine, a glint of ferocity sparking in them.

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