Page 101 of Jeweler to the Blessed
I glanced around. “Yes.”
There were more in the crowd than I expected. How many had Prince Elias used his persuasion magic on to influence their arrival? With the threat of the Cursed King looming and the gruesome display at the Eastern Gate only days ago—it didn’t feel like a celebration.
“I’m glad you accepted Father’s commission,” the prince said quietly.
I hadn’t realized I had a choice. I gave him a practiced smile, unsure how to respond.
He leaned in—closer than I expected. “I think you’ll enjoy your reward.”
The hair at the back of my neck stood on end. I didn’t have to look at Hart to know he stiffened at the prince’s proximity. I did not think I’d enjoy my reward, but that was a problem I didn’t have time to worry about yet.
Prince Elias held out his hand. “The gems?”
I opened my bag to show him. Each was wrapped in a black cloth and tied with a tag that named the Selected. I handed him the first one. “Where do you want them?”
The prince was determined to let no detail go unchecked. He pulled the tie, keeping the cloth in place, letting it fall to the sides, exposing the gem. Even though King Rodric had checked them only yesterday, Elias still wanted eyes on the gems before the ceremony started.
Did he know something about the Feared’s plans that we didn’t?
He lifted the stone, squinting at it. “Very good.”
I must have imagined the slight shake of the prince’s hand as he held the gem. He dropped it back into the bag before I could confirm. His lips pressed into a firm line as he glanced at the others.
I was starting to think the prince was … scared.
Suddenly, I was grateful for the broad-shouldered guard at my back. As Vaddon approached, Hart’s hand was on the handle of his sword, fingers twitching as he surveyed the crowd.
“Are we ready, Your Highness?” Vaddon asked.
His smile was unsettling, showing all his teeth and arms spread wide as if this were the most joyous occasion of the year. Maybe to him, it was.
I lifted the strap over my head to hand the satchel to Vaddon. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“No, Emberline, why don’t you stand here and hand me the gems.” Elias pointed to a position just behind him before the mine entrance.
Vaddon’s smile quickly turned into a frown, though the prince didn’t notice. This must have been Vaddon’s responsibility, and though the prince had phrased it as a question—it was anything but.
I shrugged at the advisor, and his returning glare was filled with daggers. He couldn’t hate me more than he already did. I took his position behind the prince, and Hart flanked me.
“Welcome!” Elias’s voice raised well above the muffled din of the crowd.
They silenced immediately as the show they’d gathered for began.
“Thank you for joining us for the Presentation!”
My gaze wandered as the prince spoke. The other guards had spread out at the foot of the steps. Any attackers would have to break their line before reaching me and the prince.
Unfortunately, I found Macen in the gathered group. He must have been required to attend as part of his shift at the mines. He spoke to someone beside him, his mouth moving rapidly and his chin tucked.
I sidestepped slightly to see if I could glimpse the person next to him from a different angle. I couldn’t, but that didn’t matter when Macen’s finger raised, pointing at me on the platform. My heartbeat raced.
“We gather in this location to acknowledge the natural beauty representing the King’s Blessing,” Elias said.
The Selected, just below him on the steps, stared up at him with wide-eyed wonder. For most, I was sure it was the first time they’d seen the majesty of the mine entrance.
“The King’s Blessing grants you power, but the adamas gem is the physical reminder of that Blessing. These mines,”—he gestured behind himself to the towering stone entrance—“are a critical resource for our city. We wouldn’t be who we are without them.”
The words struck a nerve. What would this city be like if adamas didn’t exist? I hoped to find out if my suspicions about the captive were true.
