Page 18 of Jeweler to the Blessed
The metal shield covered the guard’s eyes and nose, but his exposed chin dipped as he bowed slightly and left to fulfill the request.
“Do we have to assign one now?” I asked.
After the prince’s explanation, I had no objection to a guard, but I had another task to complete before submitting to one. Mother’s tonic hadn’t been completed. I’d need to attend to it today. Especially now that I knew where the youngleaf came from, it seemed like it would be much easier to investigate illegal goods from sellers I didn’t know without a guard in tow.
“Your safety is of the utmost importance,” Prince Elias said.
Vaddon rolled his eyes.
“It seems…” I hesitated, not sure how far I could push them.
The prince noticed my hesitation and gestured for me to continue.
“It seems only you and the guards know about Alaric’s disappearance. I should be safe until tonight’s festival. That’s when Alaric’s absence will be noticed, right?”
It wasn’t ideal, but at least this would give me the day to move freely through Kavios. After that, well, I’d plan for that later. Unlike Alaric’s, I knew my defense skills weren’t enough to dismiss a guard.
I had to take care of the family. Alaric may not have wanted me in this position, but he wasn’t here. This move protected Father from the royal family and ensured I had funds for Mother’s tonic. The royal family knowing I could source the gems was different from knowing I was immune to their magic. Alaric could source gems but had no such immunity. Knowing one wouldn’t necessarily lead to knowing the other.
This had been my best option in a bad situation.
Today, I’d investigate the youngleaf and ask around the tavern for Alaric. Maybe I could get an ongoing delivery set up, so I wouldn’t have to worry about trouble with my guard when Mother needed the next one.
The prince hesitated. “I’m not sure …”
Vaddon folded his arms over his chest. “That should give us time to choose the right person.”
The prince held Vaddon’s gaze, a silent conversation I wasn’t privy to. Finally, he nodded. “Alright. After the Selected are announced, come to the castle steps. Your guard will meet you there.”
I attempted another awkward curtsey, not wanting to risk my luck with any more words. This gave me time to sort things out with my parents. Mother needed her tonic.
Father’s instruction from last night repeated in my mind.If Alaric missed the pickup, I needed to retrieve the youngleaf from Forest’s Edge.All signs in the workshop indicated he hadn’t collected the herb. Maybe that was only my mind assuming the worst. I would go to Forest’s Edge and ask for myself.
I needed to be careful, even though Alaric had left me few options. While I didn’t begrudge Alaric for doing anything and everything for Mother’s tonic, the fact that it was an illegal good made my line of inquiry more … complicated. At least I had the name spoken between Alaric and the stranger yesterday: Ava.
I’d see if I could find Ava at Forest’s Edge and get some answers.
“You’re dismissed then,” Vaddon said.
The prince shot him a glare at his tone, but I didn’t care. On some level, I appreciated that Vaddon was transparent in what he thought of me.
“We’ll see you tonight,” the prince added. His gaze held mine a moment longer than necessary. “Vaddon will walk you back to Cross Street.”
Vaddon’s nostrils flared, but he didn’t object.
I left the room before anyone changed their mind. Vaddon followed, and though I knew he hated this, I was thankful for it. I wasn’t sure I could find my way out of the castle. And wandering through the halls filled with Blessed, while no one knew of my new position was unadvisable at best.
“Seems like you left some information out on our walk.” Vaddon gestured me down the hallway.
I didn’t respond. Had he thought I’d spill all my secrets to him as he dragged me to the castle?
Vaddon seemed like he would press the matter, but three men in guard uniforms strode toward us. The one in front nodded toward Vaddon.
“You and His Highness called for me?”
This must be Carver. That meant the two beside him were his best men. One of them could be my future guard. I let my gaze roam over them without being too obvious. The formal dress meant I couldn’t see beneath the metal visors anyway.
Vaddon waved his hand in my direction. “The prince waits in his study. I have less glorious tasks to attend to.”
