Page 129 of Jeweler to the Blessed
“Alright. Well, let’s finish my ring and get back to the castle.”
Hart looked like he’d say more. His mouth opened and closed around words that wouldn’t seem to slip out. “I’m with you, Ember.”
And that was good enough for me.
38
I may not have protected her from much, but at least I saved her from Rodric.
— ALARIC SARE’S LETTERS TO ISABELLE ARKOVA
The dress Prince Elias had made was even more beautiful than the last. It was white, as was traditional for those to be Blessed. Penelope helped me into the gown. This one was much more conservative, and I couldn’t help but be thankful for the coverage. The flowing silk was artfully decorated with lace. It had a high neckline and long sleeves. It was beautiful, but I wished it was for literally any other event.
I knew this Blessing was in name only. It was a performance for the Glanmores. I didn’t have to take, I didn’t have to act like any other Blessed once it was done,but I had to let Rodric think he’d won.
I could do this.
Hart was in a formal uniform, with a helmet covering his features as he guided me to the ceremony. The throne room looked even more beautiful than it had for the Masquerade. Stained glass windows framed the throne on the dais, the sun’s setting rays lighting up their colors. The white marble floor was set with chairs. They were grouped into two sets on the left and right, creating an aisle in the center.
Before we separated, I sought Hart’s gaze, but his helmet deprived me. My jaw clenched in frustration. My fingers stretched to reach for him. I shook my head. This was how it had to be right now. He was my guard, and I was Jeweler to the Blessed, about to join him as one of them.
He went to the right side of the aisle where he would have the best view of any approaching the dais. I took my position on the stage.
The other Selected were already there. Their finery was pristine. Like mine, the jackets and dresses were even more extravagant than what they had worn to the ball. I watched Deidre fidget, last in line in the row of Selected. I hadn’t spoken to her since the Presentation, but she looked like she might be having second thoughts.
Elias greeted me with a familiarity I despised. He took my gloved hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. Vaddon hovered just beyond his shoulder, looking disappointed by my every breath. Soren’s words last night returned to my mind.I did. Until that advisor came in with a better proposition.Given that, I guessed he probably was.
I needed to find out why he wanted me dead so badly.
Then, King Rodric entered, and all rose. My worries about Vaddon could wait. The gem around Rodric’s neck was glowing blue before he even started speaking. I wondered whyhe bothered. Were people still scared of the Cursed King? They hadn’t seen his power since the Selection.
Hart and I still needed to finish our conversation about him. It, too, had fallen aside in the wake of his injuries and my decisions.
Mostly, the Cursed King confused me. What had Hart said? He needed Chaos to use his magic? I don’t think he’d finished explaining the curse before Soren attacked. If he were a Glanmore, did he need magic to take the throne? Even if he were upset about his summoning, it had been hundreds of years. Why not claim the city for Themis and render me, Chaos’s Champion, useless?
“Blessed, Selected.” King Rodric’s booming voice pulled my attention. “Welcome to this year’s Blessing ceremony. I need not impress on you the importance of today or others like it. This Selection cycle has been trying on all of us. There are those within the city who would push for chaos within its walls.”
Hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Goosebumps pebbled my flesh. He was coming dangerously close to referencing the goddesshehad banned.
“But we stand firm—we stand for Order.”
My glance slid to Elias, who stood with shoulders back and arms folded behind his back like nothing could bother him. What worried me the most was the curve of Vaddon’s lip—a cat with a canary already in its mouth.
“I don’t think I have to tell you my Blessing isn’t just a boon. It’s a necessity. The people of Kavios need us. They need our magic to keep the city running smoothly. Some would see that interrupted, as we saw at the Selection Festival.”
Someone in the crowd gasped. I expected the king’s calming at the Cornucopia had worked too well—the Blessed had forgotten the prince’s remarks about the Cursed King.They treated today as if a dirty little secret were being dragged forth in polite company.
“Today, we celebrate another jab at the so-called Feared. We celebrate elevating more of our own. Those to whom we give the sacred responsibility of keeping order in Kavios.”
The crowd, once riled to the point of snapping, now seemed serene. It didn’t take long to realize that the king pressed harder with his magic. The blue glow on the amulet shone brighter as his calming power filled the room.
It took every ounce of control not to look at Hart. What was Rodric saying? Why mention the Feared?
“We thank you for what you do for us, and today is about you—your reward for caring for the city we so love.”
The blue of his adamas faltered, fading to the clear stone I was so familiar with. Was he actually … out of stored sadness? Given the amount of calm he wielded, I assumed he had dozens of citizens to take from. I didn’t want to dwell on what he did to draw out the sadness.
Rodric gestured to someone at the back door. “We will begin the ceremony with the Selected showing their dedication to Kavios.”
