Page 100 of Jeweler to the Blessed
I couldn’t do it. I’d have to leave. My parents could leave with me—go to Alysa’s settlement. I wasn’t sure that was even good enough.
Lost in thought for too long,Hart pressed again.
He looked like he wanted to step toward me, his body lurching, but remained in place. “Are you alright?”
There was something … different about me. Something different about the way I connected with the adamas. Not only could I find and shape it, but I was also immune to its power. And whatever made this so, it was dangerous for others to know—especially the royal family. They already knew too much. Because here the king was, with what little he did know, asking me to make an eight-pointed adamas crown for him.
My stomach churned as I considered that kind of power sitting atop the king’s head.
“What happened in the throne room, Ember?” Hart’s voice had softened again. And something warm encircled me at the use of my name.
“He wants me to enhance his crown,” I said.
Hart waited patiently for me to continue.
“He wants each of the eight points on the circlet to house an adamas gem.”
With that news, he froze. His nostrils flared before he took a slow step forward. “You can’t. We’ll get you and your family out of the city. It can be The Storm, or it can be another kingdom. I don’t care. I’ll get you where you need to go.”
Something inside me warmed, and I wanted to stretch toward him like a plant for the sun. He was still halfway across the room.
Slow, careful steps brought him closer. “Do you hear me, Ember?”
He wasn’t calling me Chaos. This had to be serious. He invaded my space, and I let him. His broad shoulders overtook my view. I tilted my head back to see the harsh lines of his face softening, signaling I’d be safe, even with his proximity. Little did he know, this wasn’t something he needed to show me—it was something I already knew instinctively.
“I know you’ll keep me safe, Hart.”
He held my gaze.
I was still unsure of my decision regarding the city. Rodric couldn’t be allowed that much magic, but that didn’t mean I had to leave. I searched for the third option, not Hart’s or Alysa’s paths, but one uniquely mine. I didn’t know what it would look like, but even without the additions to the crown, King Rodric’s power over Kavios made me sick.
At least I knew one thing: “We have to free the captive first. He is the source of the adamas. I’m sure of it.”
Hart had nodded, accepting my decision.
The Oldwood didn’t scare me anymore.
I couldn’t say the same for the rest of those who made the hike to the mines alongside us. The Blessed who did so looked … nervous. The insistent press of something against my senses was still present as we walked, but I knew what I had to do. Hart and I had a plan. The night of the Masquerade, I wouldn’t be needed. Hart had said he could open the door to the adamas cavern with magic. We’d trek to the old mine entrance Alysa mentioned and free the captive.
Having a goal calmed me. It was something I’d been sorely lacking lately. Never was it more apparent than in my discussion with Hart last night.
I glanced at him over my shoulder as we walked the Oldwood Trail. I couldn’t believe he’d simply … accepted it. He was letting me lead whatever this was.
The cut and polished stones bounced against my thigh in my cross-body bag. They would be shown to the Selected before the mine entrance today, then returned safely to me. Istill had time to determine what to do with them. Maybe I’d give them to Alysa and her people.
Our pace slowed as we arrived at the mine entrance. The Oldwood seemed to thicken here as if hiding entry to a long-protected secret. Hart slipped on a helmet I assumed was actually his own, and we cut through the amassed crowd toward the staircase.
Prince Elias looked in better spirits today. He smiled and waved to those who made the trip into the Oldwood. His presence was once again reassuring, starkly contrasting with how he hid his fear behind formalities with his father. He nodded at my approach, and I climbed the remainder of the steps toward him. Hart followed without invitation.
The prince chuckled. “I see you take your duty as a guard very seriously. I think she’s safe here.”
“All the same, I’d prefer to be within arm’s reach.”
Beneath his mask, I could tell Hart searched the crowd. The energy was anxious. Like with the Cornucopia, those attending must be wary of actions from the Feared.
The prince followed Hart’s gaze, though he directed his question at me. “Good turnout, don’t you think?”
He deigned to allow Hart his imposition, but that didn’t require further discussion.
