I ate most of my meals in the dining hall with the other Wielders, sitting by Wyn, Teagan, and sometimes Arwin. I usually ate my other meals alone in my room, poring over textbooks that Ridley and the quiet and grumpy Justise had given me. Everybody seemed to want me to learn how to Wield Earth and Air with the best of my abilities. They all had this idea that I had some higher purpose. And while the prophecy said I did, it was still hard to get really deep down into it.
But I knew the details would come.
First, I had to finish training.
So, while I generally ate my meals with people I knew, I was also surrounded by those I didn’t. Some came to introduce themselves to me but were pretty quiet about it. No one really sat long enough for me to get to know them, or for them to get to know me. I didn’t know if it was because I was intimidating or if I just looked scared.
Maybe it was because I was sitting with what I figured must be the most powerful Wielders in the room, and everybody just sat with their friends.
Or Easton had told everyone to leave me alone. That sounded more like it. Easton always had reasons for what he did, not that I actually understood any of them. Tonight, however, the fact that we were eating as a group in Easton’s personal quarters confused me.
I had never been to this section of the castle before. I hadn’t even known it existed. I wished Braelynn were with me, but she’d wanted to spend time in my room curled up at the end of my bed. She trained with me most days, but she didn’t like coming to dinner or other places with other Wielders. Maybe it reminded her that while she might still be my best friend, she wasn’t really here anymore. It made me remember.
And I didn’t know how to process any of that.
“So, are you ready to see where the illusive Easton eats and sleeps and does all his breathing?” Wyn asked, elbowing me in the side.
I looked at her, rolling my eyes. “Really? Really?”
“What? I can’t help it. I’m never really allowed in his rooms.” She stopped where she was, and I almost tripped over myself to look back at her. “That sounded really bad. Not that I want to get into his rooms. I just like to bother him, and in order to do that, I have to be near him.”
“You bother me just by existing,” Teagan said, deadpan.
“You know, I can curse you. I can use my Wielding and curse you.” She narrowed her eyes on him, and Teagan grinned before wrapping his hand around the back of her head and placing a really hard, loud, very wet kiss on her lips. I just stood there, blinking as I looked between the two of them.
“You know, I hate you,” she said as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She slung the moisture off exaggeratedly before she grinned.
“Hey, you used to like my kisses.”
“I used to like a lot of things. And those kisses…eh. I guess they were okay.”
“Okay? I thought I was the god of all kissing.”
“Son, you really don’t want her to keep wondering why you guys aren’t together anymore,” Justise said as he and Ridley strolled into the hallway. “The first rule of being broken up is to never ask why when it might have to do with kissing and other deeds.”
“Dear God, husband, was that a joke? Wow. Gasp,” Ridley said, clutching his hand over his heart and taking a couple of staggering steps back. “Quick, Lyric, protect us all. Surely the apocalypse has come.”
“Ha ha, dear husband. I can be funny. I am hilarious.”
Only Arwin laughed, but it was more like a nervous chuckle while the rest of us just stared at the men.
“What?” Arwin said quickly. “I was afraid he was going to like, throw his hammer at me or something.”
“I could still do it, boy,” Justise said, deepening his voice and lowering his brow.
Ridley patted Justise’s cheek and grinned. “Ignore him, Arwin. He’s just a big teddy bear. A big, grumpy, growly teddy bear.”
“You’re going to pay for that later, dear.”
Ridley rolled his eyes and took Arwin by the arm before walking down the hallway. “Promises, husband. Promises, promises, promises.”
And that was how I found myself laughing while leaning against Wyn as the rest of us headed into the small dining room that was part of Easton’s quarters.
According to Wyn while we had been dressing, these had always been Easton’s rooms. He hadn’t moved in to the king and queen’s section of the estate, and I wasn’t sure he would. While I didn’t know him as well as the others did, I had a feeling that he had made his home here. Having to assume the mantle of king was already a major piece. A big change. Having to move everything into the place where his mother had once lived? Yeah, I didn’t know if I could ever do that. And knowing what I did of Easton, I wasn’t sure he would be able to do it either.
Easton was near the window at the edge of the room when we entered, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared out at part of the kingdom.
He looked so alone there, dark and maybe brooding like Wyn had said.
It occurred to me that though he did have friends who tried to get to know him and joked with him, he was alone.
He was a king without a queen, without a real court. I didn’t know how he was dealing with the Earth or the Fire Estates or how they were reacting to their new king. I hadn’t asked because I was honestly a little scared.
Rhodes and I owed the Lord of Earth a favor. Not because he had saved our lives, but because he hadn’t killed us outright.
I had a feeling that the Lord of Dirt, as Rhodes called him, would one day call upon us to cash in that favor.
And that scared me. A favor to someone so high up for someone like me, one who might someday find connections that the lord might want to use for his own gain… I didn’t want to think about.
The Lord of Fire and his lady had been nicer, if a little scarier.
As far as I knew, they still had Emory trapped in their dungeons. I would’ve tried to get her out by now or found a way to help her, but I didn’t know how. And, apparently, she was a siphon, one that could take away Wielding from others.
I still didn’t know how that had happened or what it might mean for her in the future, but one day I would have to talk with the Lord and Lady of Fire and figure out what to do for my former friend.
Before all of that, though, I had to think about what to do with the king by the window, the one who still hadn’t spoken to us as everyone got their drinks off the sideboard and started to move around the table, taking their places.
Apparently, this was not unusual for Easton, standing there letting others talk while he brooded or had deep thoughts.
But I didn’t like him standing there alone, so I walked up to him, knowing it was probably a mistake.
“Thanks for having us over for dinner tonight,” I said, my voice a little soft. The others were still talking, but I was fully aware that they were trying to listen in on our conversation and wondering what I was doing.
“I figured it was about time.” Easton ran his hand through his hair and then frowned.
“It’s beautiful here, did I tell you that?” I asked, wondering what I was supposed to say. I was never really good at any of this. I had never been. Dinner parties weren’t my thing and hadn’t been even when I was still in the human realm. My parents had them occasionally when they had to deal with work associates, and I had always been quiet. The one that people asked simple questions to and then ignored. Sometimes, I had my friends over for dinner, but it was just a normal meal before we were on our way.
I really wasn’t good at small talk.
Easton looked at me for a moment before looking out at his kingdom again. His kingdom. “The place is beautiful. It used to be more. Not so barren.”
“I’ve seen some of the territory. It’s not barren. There’s so much growth and life in it.”
“I suppose.” He shook his head and then turned to face me.
His eyes were dark, reaching.
They searched my face as if he were trying to see something that he wasn’t sure was there. Or maybe I was the one reaching.
He had saved my life, even though he hadn’t been able to fully protect me. And now he had brought me here so I could train. I was grateful for that. Ridley was helping me stay calm, and the others were teaching me what they knew about Wielding. And while Alura had helped some, it was like I was back with Rhodes and Luken while they taught me Air Wielding.
They had helped me so much, and now this new group of people was helping me, as well.
But sometimes I couldn’t help but feel as though I were caught in the middle of one war and then another. Or as if I were caught in the middle of two separate people that I didn’t really understand.
“So, I hear you’re better at your Earth Wielding.”
“Really? They said that?” I was pleasantly surprised, and it knocked me out of whatever mood I was in.
“Well, Teagan, Wyn, and Arwin say you’re pretty good. Or at least, you could be if you weren’t so far in your head.”
“We did not say that,” Wyn corrected. “Lyric, we did not say that.”
I snorted, looking at Easton. “Oh, I assumed Easton was the one who thought it. Even though I’m pretty sure you’re the one who’s always in your head. Correct, oh, wise one?”
That made Justise laugh.
“Why are you laughing at her calling me wise?” Easton asked his uncle, shaking his head.
“Oh, pretty much the obvious reason. My king.”
Easton flipped him off, and I smiled. Apparently, no matter what realm you were in, that action seemed to be the same. Or, it was the fact that we were near the Americas and therefore it was something they’d learned from crisscrossing the realms. I still didn’t know if there were more access points to other realms in other parts of the world. While the book had alluded to them, I hadn’t outright asked yet. I was a little too worried about what would happen if I did. Because the world seemed too large as it was, finding out that there was even more out there than just what I was standing in?
Nope, not going to think about that.
“Okay, let’s eat,” Easton said, taking my hand and pulling me towards the table.
I stumbled slightly, looking down at his hand over mine.
Easton generally did his best to avoid touching me, something I was just now noticing. Was it because I was the reason his mother was dead? I wouldn’t blame him for that if it were.
I wouldn’t blame him for a lot of things.
He gave my hand a squeeze, flashed me a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, and then went to sit at the head of the table. Wyn had left me a seat on the other end, and that put me the farthest distance away from Easton as possible.
Since that was basically what he had been doing the entire time I had been there so far, keeping as much distance as possible between us, it didn’t bother me in the slightest.
The food was amazing: rich and tasty, with the sweets at the end perfection. Even though I was staying in a castle at the moment, we didn’t usually eat like this. Most of the time, it was good food but rations.
Teagan and Wyn had explained to me that a lot of the food that might usually come to the castle was now being sent back to the land and its people rather than being kept for the court itself. Lore had hurt the people more than by just making the Maisons Danes and stripping them of their powers. He’d also begun to take their land and food, as well as supplies and other things. Lore had done so much damage under his title of knight. I wasn’t sorry he was dead.
Even if it was by my hands.
I didn’t understand how the queen hadn’t seen everything her knight had been doing. But for all I knew, the knight had used magic to ensure that didn’t happen. Cameo hadn’t been my favorite person. She’d scared me. I’d thought she tried to take Rosamond and her Seer powers. I’d thought I had almost died multiple times for her. And though quietly, she had still been at war with the King of Lumiére because they couldn’t find common ground. But she had given her life for mine, so I was never going to talk bad about her. However, I had to wonder how the kingdom had come to this.
But, not right then. Now, I was going to eat some amazing food, laugh with my new friends, and hope that tomorrow I’d be able to train a little bit harder and learn more.
Because something was coming. Easton had said that before, and he was right. I could feel it. Something was orchestrating all of this. And there was a reason I was here. Therefore, I was going to fight. I was going to make sure I was the best I could possibly be for that reason.
Just as I set my water glass down, I gasped, the bracelet that Alura had given me burning my wrist. The glass I held fell to the table, spilling the rest of its contents on the tablecloth. Everyone froze before looking at me.
I looked down at my wrist. The water element charm glowed hot against my skin.
“Ow,” I whispered, shaking my hand as if trying to let the heat out. But it stung. Easton was on his feet and by my side before anyone else could even move. He held my wrist gently, bringing it to his face as he looked down at the charm.
“This is the bracelet from Alura?”
I nodded, grateful that the burning had stopped and the water element symbol was no longer heating against my skin.
“That’s Seer magic there,” Ridley said, his voice soft. “Powerful Seer magic.”
“Very much so,” Justise said as he stood up and looked over Easton’s shoulder. “And whatever blacksmith made this knew what he was doing. I’d say someone in the Water territory needs you.”
I looked up at Justise for a moment before glancing at Easton.
“What?”
He ran his thumb along the inner skin of my wrist, and we both sucked in a breath before he let go of me.
He cleared his throat. “If that is what Alura gave you, and if my uncle’s right—and since he’s the best blacksmith in the entire Maison realm, I would assume he’s right—that means that you need to head to the Lumiére Kingdom.” He met my gaze again. “Soon.”
I let out a breath, trying to collect my thoughts. “Okay. That’s…I guess there’s no, like, phone calls here to tell me that they need me?”
“No, you’re not in the human realm anymore,” Easton said sharply.
“I know that. I’ve known that for a long time. I just don’t understand how you guys communicate.” I was shouting now and had pushed back in my seat so I could go at Easton face-to-face. The others stood as well as if waiting for the fight, not knowing exactly what they were going to do.
“We communicate through magic, and through other means. All I know is that’s Seer magic. So, it might not be someone communicating directly with you.” He paused. “Or, it could be Rosamond saying she needs you. Who knows? But if Alura gave that to you, then you need to head to the Lumiére Kingdom.”
“Why do you keep saying if Alura gave it to me? What makes Alura giving it to me so special?” I paused, something clicking. “Is she a Seer?”
Easton shook his head. “No. But her secret’s not mine to tell.” I hated when they said things like that. Over and over again I heard the riddles. “All that matters now is that you need to go to the Lumiére Kingdom, and you can’t go alone.” Teagan cleared his throat.
“I’ll go. I’ll make sure she’s safe.”
Warmth filled me at the thought of Teagan—or anyone—wanting to help me. But I didn’t want him to get hurt.
“I’m going, too,” Wyn added before she looked over at Teagan and they nodded at each other.
“I’ll go, as well,” Arwin said, shrugging. “I want to go. I want to help you, Lyric. I just hope you want me to go with you.”
I cleared my throat, a little nervous. “You’ll all be going into an enemy kingdom. Are you sure I shouldn’t just go by myself? Rhodes and Rosamond know me. I should be safe. I don’t know if I should bring Braelynn, but still…”
“Braelynn can stay here,” Easton growled. “As for you? Who knows if you’ll be safe? You know, some people don’t want the Spirit Priestess to win. You saw that yourself with Lore.” Easton spat out the man’s name, and I refused to take a step back even though parts of me wanted to. “The three of them will go with you, and they’ll protect you. And they’ll keep up with your training.”
Ridley sighed before looking at his nephew. “You can’t go.” He paused, and I froze. Easton? Going? There was no way Easton could go. He had responsibilities here. And while it might make me feel safer—something I was not going to think about just then—he couldn’t come with us. It wouldn’t be safe…for him.
“Yeah, I know,” Easton said softly.
Ridley spoke again. “But you know you need to.”
Easton nodded. And I blinked. “I know that, too,” he said softly.
“I…I’ll be fine. I’m not their enemy. If this is all Seer magic, and I’m supposed to be in the Lumiére Kingdom, I will be okay. There’s a reason I need to be there.”
“That’s fine. But you’re not going alone. Not now. I’m going with you. That’s final.”
Then he turned on his heel and stormed past me. I wondered what was going on.
The others looked just as confused as I felt, but then we were moving, everyone going to pack and do whatever they needed to prepare for the long journey. I just stood there, looking at the uncles and wondering how all of this had happened.
The water charm on my bracelet burned again, and I looked down at it, knowing it was calling me to the Water territory. I’d never been there before, but now I was going to see it.
I was going to see the Lumiére.
I was going to see Rhodes.