Page 131 of Jeweler to the Blessed
He was draining her.
Her knees buckled before anyone else realized what she’d done.
“Stop him,” Vaddon said, but I knew it was too late.
Deidre entirely collapsed, rolling to the foot of the dais. The man stood, focused on King Rodric, and the gem’s flashing blue turned to an aquamarine glow.
The king’s eyes went glassy as the man stormed up the dais, escaping the guards at the base. He wouldn’t be able to control them all like Rodric. He focused his energy on the king, his mouth moving, but I couldn’t hear the words. I was sure he tried to calm the king into stopping the ceremony. He didn’t stand a chance.
As the Feared scaled the steps, one of the guards threw a dagger, its blade pierced the man’s back. He fell forward against the stairs without so much as lifting his hands toprotect his face. The point must have pierced his heart. The guard collected the body, dragging it back toward the rest.
“What a waste,” Rodric said as he freed himself from the tentative hold of the gem’s magic. He looked at the Feared and Deidre with distaste.
The crowd didn’t seem to know what to think. They were restless and unsure. Deidre was meant to be the celebration of the magicless citizens. The story of hope that kept them happy and complacent until the next Selection—the story that anyone could be Blessed.
Instead, she lay at the foot of the dais, cold and forgotten by the king.
“We have one more surprise. You’ve been so patient.” Rodric spoke to the crowd. “One who has distinguished herself with service to the crown. She has stepped into a critical position to keep our celebration on track. Emberline Arkova, Jeweler to the Blessed, and the final Selected.”
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She may be his curse, but she will have his heart.
— FROM CHAMPIONS OF KAVIOS
Ifailed to steady my hands as I stepped into place on the dais. My gaze roamed the crowd, taking a moment to linger on the line of guards. There was a tension in Hart’s shoulders that made me want to speed things up. He looked like a taut bowstring prepared to let an arrow fly. An anger radiated from him that reminded me of that first meeting with the Feared at the Selection Festival.
Then, he’d brought the brawl to a standstill with only his glare. I didn’t think he’d be able to accomplish the same here. If he interrupted, Alaric’s life would be forfeit. I took another step, pulling the final ring from my bag and sliding it onto my finger.
Hart’s helmet still masked the green of his irises. I was confident they’d attempt to persuade me not to do this, to let him save me instead. But I couldn’t, not with Alaric’s life on the line.
A low growl emanated from his general direction. No one else seemed to notice. Where he previously stood erect, arms behind his back, like any of the other guards at the ceremony, now his hand twitched, and his foot slid forward. Every part of him seemed at war with himself, determining what to do.
I needed to see this through. He’d have more time to think of a plan the longer I hesitated.
Of course Macen was the remaining rebel. I’d known in the pit of my stomach he would be. This wouldn’t just be murder. It would be the murder of someone I knew—even if they had recently tried to kill me themselves.
“Just so that we don’t have any further surprises.” Vaddon’s voice was low, likely only for me to hear. He must have slipped out while the other Selected took. He returned now with Alaric in tow, meeting me at the foot of the dais.
Alaric looked like death. The beatings must have continued wherever they held him. His face was covered in bruises. They’d given him a clean tunic and trousers, but even from here, I could see the stains on them—like he had wounds beneath the fabric that weren’t adequately bandaged.
I wanted to run to him but held my ground. This was how I would help him. I might have questioned that when his look froze me in place. Disappointment creased his brow, and devastation turned his lips. I knew he wouldn’t be happy with my choice to accept Rodric’s Blessing, but this was worse.
It was one thing to convince myself Alaric needed this. It was another to watch his heart break while I did the unspeakable.
“Ember, don’t?—”
Alaric fell forward before he finished, as if Vaddon had elbowed him in the back while they walked.
Catching himself on his hands and knees, his gaze met mine. “Don’t do this.”
My face must have held a resolve I wasn’t sure I had. It sent Alaric on a frantic search of the room like a mouse realizing he was trapped with snakes. I didn’t know what or who he sought.
None of the Blessed would help him.
“Nah-ah-ah.” Vaddon roughly lifted Alaric and pushed him forward. “We’re here to watch, not to speak. We just wanted Emberline to remember the cost of her actions.”
“Bring Alaric here,” the king said. “Proceed, Emberline. We don’t have all day.”
