Page 113 of Jeweler to the Blessed
“You can’t be serious.” It was Vaddon’s turn to be surprised. “Rodric. She’s as much a traitor as Alaric.”
Rodric waved a hand dismissively.
The prince came to my other side, and gooseflesh covered every inch of my skin. He glanced at the king as if to ensure his mind was unchanged by Vaddon’s outburst. Whatever he was about to say, I was positive I wouldn’t like it.
“I told you I had a surprise for you,” Elias said. “Father has decided to include a fifth Blessed with this year’s celebration. Someone who has served Kavios and this family beyond the call of duty.”
No. My body tensed as if I’d been slapped. I had seenfivechairs at the foot of the dais in the ballroom. There were only four Selected. I hadn’t even considered what the extra one was for.
Alaric’s words echoed my internal thoughts. “No, Ember. You can’t.”
His words were like a knife in my gut. Like a wound I knew was there but couldn’t yet identify.
Elias rested a hand on my shoulder, drawing my attention from Alaric. “You, Emberline. You are to be Blessed.”
My vision tunneled. Elias kept speaking flowery words, but they sounded like a soft hum in my head. This couldn’t be right. I couldn’t be Blessed. My gaze met Uncle’s. The horror in his eyes reflected my inner thoughts. I only hoped I wasn’t as transparent.
Elias took my hand, lifting me from the floor. “I knew you’d be excited. I’ll announce it now. We should return.”
“I’m so sorry, Ember.” Alaric’s words pulled me back. “I never meant for any of this …”
Vaddon seemed unable to take more. In two quick strides, he crossed the room and kicked Alaric to the floor.
Alaric’s gasp as the breath left him had me ready to vomit. Saliva coated my tongue. None of this could be real.
I looked to the king. It was his Blessing, after all. “What will happen to him?”
“That’s entirely up to you, Emberline. My son is convinced your value outweighs your uncle’s crimes.”
“Highn—” Vaddon started to protest.
The king held up his hand. “If the scales are balanced, Order is preserved.”
Prince Elias pressed his hand to my lower back. “He would remain a prisoner, Emberline. He couldn’t return to life in the city, but you could see him.”
I hated the entitlement of his touch as much as I needed it—needed him to value me the way he did to save Alaric.
Much like when I’d decided to become Jeweler to the Blessed, my choice was no choice at all. I would do anything to keep Alaric safe.
“It would be an honor,” I said.
A moan slipped from Alaric’s lips. “No.”
Vaddon kicked him again, and I winced, feeling the pain as if it were my own.
Alaric’s blood splattered my dress. Prince Elias looked me up and down as I stood. “Maybe we shouldn’t announce it tonight. It will be all the more of a surprise when you arrive tomorrow with the gems, and the audience realizes there is one for you as well.”
He didn’t even acknowledge that he’d given me less than aday to make another ring. It wasn’t the kind of detail the prince would care about.
I nodded, unable to find words.
The prince guided me from the room. “Let’s go find that guard of yours.”
In a daze, I followed. My heart broke as the door shut with Alaric behind it. I told myself he’d be alright. So long as I became Blessed and did what they asked, Alaric would live.
Fury built within me. I’d been so close to doing something for myself—making a decision I could live with for how my future played out. That went out the window now that the Glanmores had Alaric. I wouldn’t even consider what they’d do to him if I ran. It was no longer an option.
Even as the fight left me, rebellion raged inside me. At least I would accomplish what Alaric could not. I’d remain with the Glanmores. Stay Jeweler to the Blessed. Become Blessed myself. But they couldn’t blame me if the source of adamas disappeared.
