Page 27 of Unseen Eye
The conversation with Garet flashes back to me, but this feels more intense, less friendly questioning.
I hesitate, the memory of the light erupting from my hands during the attack still vivid. My thoughts flicker back to the gate, to that mysterious man, to the first time it happened. A confession teeters on the edge of my tongue, but I clamp my jaw shut. Telling the truth would mean giving up what little leverage I feel I have in a situation where I’m already at the mercy of too many unknowns. “No,” I lie smoothly. “It was the first time.”
King Baron’s eyes narrow slightly, suspicion threading through his expression. “Are you certain, Evangeline? No unusual occurrences in your past, no other signs of this power?”
My stomach tightens at his scrutiny, but before I can stop myself, the old instinct to deflect kicks in. I’ve always had abad habit of hiding behind sarcasm when I’m cornered—a shaky shield at best, but one I can’t seem to let go of. “Oh yes, Your Majesty, my life has been a magical wonderland filled with glowing lights and mysterious powers,” I say dryly, unable to resist the biting edge in my tone. “Clearly, I’ve just been waiting for the right moment to reveal my secret talents.”
“Eva…” Garet whispers, his tone a low warning.
King Baron studies me for a moment longer, his gaze piercing through me as if peeling back layers to expose something hidden beneath. It’s the kind of scrutiny that makes my skin crawl, like I’m being held up to the light, every flaw and secret laid bare. He glances over at one of his advisers, who gives a subtle shake of his head, for a moment the faintest glow flickering in his eyes. I make a mental note to ask Leigh about their affinity later.
“I understand that you might be feeling overwhelmed and unsure,” Baron says, his voice carrying a tone that’s almost clinically detached, as if he’s dissecting a puzzle rather than addressing a person. “However, it is crucial that we know the extent of your abilities. Is there anything at all, even the smallest detail, that you might have overlooked?”
He leans back in his chair, his expression unreadable but his voice colder now, clinical, as though he’s weighing me on a scale. “You must understand the importance of honesty here, Evangeline. If there is anything—even the slightest detail—you’ve neglected to share, now is the time to speak. What happened at the cottage is no small matter. Power like that doesn’t simply appear out of nowhere.”
The measured calmness of his tone makes my nerves coil tighter. There’s no warmth, no room for reassurance, just the heavy implication that my next words will define me in his eyes. This doesn’t feel like an explanation or an appeal to help—it feels like a test, one I didn’t agree to take.
“I really don’t know, Your Majesty,” I say, my voice thinnerthan I’d like. “It’s all so new to me.”
Baron’s lips curl into a thin smile. “Pity,” he says, his tone almost wistful. “I was very much looking forward to a show.” He looks around the room, as if hoping the space might spontaneously reveal some grand spectacle. Taking a deep breath, he continues, “Evangeline, as I am sure Garet told you last night,” he glances pointedly at Garet, “Eldorin was my grandfather. However, I was very young when everything happened, and my memories are rather hazy.”
He pauses, his gaze growing distant as he seems to plumb the depths of his memories. “My father became king after Eldorin. He ruled with a firm but fair hand until his tragic death in a war against rebels. They sought power, chaos, and darkness instead of the peace and prosperity Eldorin had established and died for.”
Baron sighs, the weight of history evident in his eyes. “When I became king, I made a promise—to myself and to the people of Astermiri. A promise of peace. I vowed to protect this kingdom at all costs, to prevent history from repeating itself. I want to ensure Astermiri remains a haven of knowledge and safety, free from the shadows that once threatened it.”
He looks at me, his expression earnest. “Your appearance here, your abilities—they could be a sign. A sign that the hope Eldorin once brought to our kingdom still lives on. But we need to understand it, to harness it for the good of Astermiri.”
With a graceful gesture, King Baron signals the servants to bring out refreshments. A tray is promptly set before us, laden with fruits, pastries, and a steaming pot of tea. The king pours a cup and hands it to me, his demeanor growing more relaxed. “Let’s make this a more casual conversation, Eva. We’re all just getting to know each other, after all.”
I take the cup with a grateful nod. Casual, sure. Because nothing says “casual” like a throne room and a king, and anentire room staring at you emotionless. I suppress the urge to roll my eyes, still feeling like I’m balancing on a tightrope despite this new friendly approach.
Baron takes a sip of his tea before continuing. “Tell me, Eva, who raised you? Who were your parents?”
I hesitate, a moment of sadness surfacing as I think about my childhood. Although I suspect he already knows the basics—Garet would have surely briefed him—I decide to answer honestly. “I was raised by a man named Kendry. He was a close friend of my parents and took me in after they died when I was young.”
King Baron leans forward slightly, showing interest. “What happened to them?”
“Kendry said they were caught in a raid,” I begin, my voice steady despite the painful memories. “Our village was attacked by bandits. My parents tried to fight them off to protect the other villagers, but they didn’t make it.”
Baron nods thoughtfully, glancing at the adviser again, who notes something down on a scroll. “It sounds like Kendry was a brave and honorable man,” he says, his tone almost as if he’s evaluating a historical figure.
I suppose that’s why they keep scribbling down every detail. “Must be exhausting to capture all this on parchment,” I retort, unable to help myself.
Garet glares at me as I shrug.
Taking a deep breath, he says, “he taught me everything I know and kept me safe all these years.”
The king’s eyes soften with empathy. “It’s clear that you have been through a lot. Your strength is admirable. Kendry must have been very proud of you.”
I manage a small smile, appreciating his kind words. “Thank you, Your Majesty. He was everything to me.”
Baron’s gaze shifts downward, focusing on the necklacearound my neck. “A gift from Kendry?” he asks, his tone curious. Meanwhile, his advisers are scribbling something down again, as if documenting the exact moment the king showed interest in my jewelry.
Baron leans back in his chair, his gaze still fixed on the necklace. “It’s quite unique. May I see it up close?”
I hesitate for a moment before nodding, unclasping the necklace and handing it to him. He examines it carefully, turning it over in his hands. The pendant catches the light, its intricate design glinting in the room’s illumination.
“It’s extraordinary,” Baron murmurs, his eyes narrowing slightly as he traces the patterns with his finger. “It reminds me of something from a long time ago… Did Kendry ever mention its meaning?”
