Page 48 of Jeweler to the Blessed
I stepped away under the guise of picking up another stone. It was the warmth I was familiar with. “I’m bothered that anyone could be killed for their beliefs.”
“Even a Blessed?” He picked up another stone and tossed it into the air. Catching it, he threw it again. His action relayed a casual air, as if it was an offhanded question and my answer was unimportant, but there was a tension in his stance that had been missing only moments ago.
I hadn’t realized what I’d implied. The fact that, for even one moment, I hadn’t thought of him first and foremost as a Blessed was concerning. Then, I considered his question. Every Blessed accepted power in exchange for King Rodric’s rules. They knew what they were signing up for, and they did so willingly.
My mind strayed to the story of the Blessed child fleeing the city before accepting her Selection. I liked to think it was true—that there were means for escape, even for those who grew up only knowing the trappings of the Blessed. I didn’t know Hart’s history. Maybe his entire family was Blessed, and he didn’t know how to leave. Perhaps he liked the power. Maybe he had no one and was simply looking out for himself. The real question was whether any of that mattered. Should Icondemn him for that one decision? Were the Blessed capable of change?
I liked to think change was possible.
Images of Blessed stealing citizens from the streets, taking, filled my mind.
Hart grunted. “I’ll take that to mean you’ve reconsidered. And I’m allowed to curse using whichever goddesses I please.”
I didn’t respond as I bent to sort another gem. I hated that he had me considering my position. It was something usually only Alaric invited. Sorting another stone—quartz—my stomach bottomed out at the thought of how much I wished Alaric were here.
I’d be moving into his room tonight. It was more overwhelming than I’d taken time to consider. I felt so lost without him. In the mine. In this role. With the Blessed. At every turn, I was presented with a new … choice … but none of them felt like choices at all.
Alaric always seemed to know precisely what to do.
We continued silently until I dropped the last stone into the quartz cart. I only had a handful of adamas pieces, as Tamara had indicated.
Gregory returned and led us back to the surface. The worksites we passed were now inactive, but every one of them had carts filled with quartz. These were the production levels I was familiar with. This mine was responsible for quartz distributed across the other two kingdoms on the continent. It was in high demand in both Linia and Aven. I’d read Linia’s throne was made entirely of quartz. I swallowed as we neared the entrance. Would I ever see Linia as I’d originally planned?
The shift must have finished. Miners trudged up the paths ahead of us.
“Is that enough for your commissions?” Gregory nodded toward my bag, now filled withadamas.
“I can get started with it. I’ll need more to finish.”
“Good. We’ll expect you back after the Cornucopia.”
I guess I’d passed this test.
My nerves grated to hear Macen’s voice in the group before us. We’d joined the miners leaving for the day on the return walk through the Oldwood. There was safety in numbers.
I tucked my chin, making myself small, like I would in any group. Instead of avoiding the Blessed, I was avoiding Macen’s notice. I didn’t know what I’d say to him.
Why had he set me up? Did he want me dead? We may not be anything to each other anymore, but I’d never considered murdering him—unless we were counting now.
“Is that the little prick you knew from the side street?” Hart asked under his breath.
He hadn’t said much to me since we’d left the mines. I didn’t know if he was upset with my response to his question about the Blessed. It was best if I didn’t know—didn’t care.
Hart had made his choice the minute he accepted the adamas.
“Emberline!” Macen waved.
He waved?
My eyes must have doubled in size. Was he saying hello like he didn’t try to have me killed last night? I couldn’t find an appropriate response as he slowed his steps, walking beside me.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
Hart and I were already trailing the others. We were far enough behind the group of miners that I didn’t contain my response. “Are you serious right now?”
I rarely let my emotions flare inpublic like this. I was reasonably confident in Hart’s declaration that he wouldn’t take from me. There was no question in my mind that he would stop anyone else who tried. Not that there was anyone around besides my idiotic, magic-less ex.
Hart’s hand twitched like he would take action.
