Page 24 of Jeweler to the Blessed (Champions of Chaos #1)

“I guess this is why Alaric thought you required an escort.” Hart stood on the forest path. His fingers twitched around the handle of his sword—more than ready to pull the blade from its sheath once he identified the danger. “Everything alright?”

The danger might be only in my head.

That day, I remembered, was the last time Mother had brought me into the Oldwood.

When Alaric found me that day, he said I’d been hiding in the woods for hours.

Mother had been frantic. Father had been called.

No one could find me. They almost went to the guards.

That told you how desperate they were—asking the Blessed for help.

As I prepared for my trip, I tried to surround myself with dirt and plants from the forest, working to desensitize myself to the strength of its call.

The Oldwood didn’t seem to affect anyone else this way.

I glanced at my position, leaning against the tree off the path.

It seemed that part of my plan was a failure.

I wiped my hand on my skirt and slipped it back into my glove. “I’m fine.”

Hart appeared unconvinced.

That made two of us.

Wandering back to the trail, I needed to focus.

While I doubted Hart would let me out of his sight long enough for me to disappear for hours, I didn’t honestly know what these woods held.

Or why I reacted so strongly to them. Wild animals roamed, and it wasn’t unheard of for workers to disappear on the walk to and from the mines.

Dangerous predators and fabled creatures crept from the mine tunnels in search of easier prey.

I glanced up, attempting to peer through the thick tree cover. The forest was so dense, I could hardly tell the time. “We should keep moving.”

Hart, for his part, didn’t press. “It’s best to stay on the path.”

Like I was unaware. It had never been my intention to leave the path in the first place.

I didn’t even know what had drawn me into the trees.

Still, I couldn’t believe he didn’t question my behavior.

He simply gestured for me to lead, following to the right so he had a clear view of any incoming threats.

“It’s a bit of a hike to the Oldwood Mine. Have you been?” he asked.

I was sure he knew the answer, but I played along. “I haven’t.”

“We’ll follow this trail until the fork. Then, we’ll head left, where the path curves into the Pinnacle Mountains. The mine entrance is at the base.”

How many occasions had he had to trek to the Oldwood Mine? Guards weren’t usually required out here. The only Blessed was the mine foreman. None of the other workers had magic.

“Keep the trip short,” he continued. “We can’t be in the mines for more than an hour or risk returning in the dark.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. “Should we come tomorrow morning when we have more time?”

He shook his head. “I don’t suggest ignoring a direct … request from Elias.”

The pause told me all I needed to know. Hart didn’t believe the charming front the prince put on for the masses, although his perspective may be biased, since I was confident he sold illegal goods.

“We should talk about your trip to Forest’s Edge.” His voice was louder than I’d grown used to. He was closer than I expected, his mouth beside my ear.

I turned, striking out in surprise.

He caught my gloved wrist before I made contact.

“Chaos, I’m not trying to touch you. I want to talk.”

I pushed hard against his grip, and he let me go.

Inadvertently, I took a step back. All the fears I thought I’d quelled in Alaric’s workshop came rushing back. We were alone in the Oldwood. I’d already proved I needed him to pull me back from whatever hold the Oldwood had.

“Ava said you tried to set up a regular pickup for the youngleaf.”

Gooseflesh pebbled my skin. I tried to relax. This was the conversation I needed to have. My trip to Forest’s Edge had left me a little scarred, especially knowing that I’d interacted so casually with the Feared, and that their plans for me were … unacceptable.

I took another step back and felt the knife at my hip. No matter how much I reminded myself that Alaric trusted Hart. I couldn’t get past Hart’s familiarity with the Feared.

Hadn’t Alaric been familiar with the Feared as well?

Hart held his hands up in a gesture of peace. “You heard me speak to your uncle.” His teeth gritted as he referenced Alaric. He sounded … annoyed about something.

My breathing steadied. Alaric had known Soren too. Hart and Alaric had spoken of him in the conversation I’d overheard. Knowing a person wasn’t an indication of sharing their beliefs.

“What are you getting at?”

He pointed a finger at me. “You came looking for me, Chaos.”

He might have a point.

“Don’t call me that,” I replied. I chanced a glance around. We were in the middle of the gnarled wood, and no one was around for miles.

“Why not?” His lip curled. “You certainly inspire it.”

Eris was mentioned little in Champions of Kavios , but Alaric loved the words about her. Uninvited, they ran through my mind: She didn’t cause chaos; she inspired it.

I shook my head, unwilling to engage with such a dangerous comment. “What arrangement did you and Alaric have for the youngleaf?”

His gaze turned to the thick trees as if to confirm he only shared his secrets with them.

“I’m sure you’ve realized it’s not an herb readily available in Kavios.

I helped him get the youngleaf. And I don’t think I have to tell you that Alaric is one of the foremost experts on the Sibling Goddesses.

He used his knowledge to help me search for something in return. ”

“What do you search for?”

Maybe this was what Alaric went after. Maybe it was Hart’s fault that Alaric was missing.

When his gaze returned to mine, it hardened, and the thoughts left my mind as quickly as they’d entered. “Something, I learned, he had no intention of helping me find.”

That wasn’t an answer. But that rage from yesterday was back in his features—a barely leashed wrath fighting for control.

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.” Then his half-smile was back. “You still need the youngleaf, I take it?”

“Yes.”

It was a terrible bargaining strategy, but Hart already knew about my mother. He had to know I had no other options.

“But if you don’t tell me what he helped you search for, I can’t continue his bargain,” I said.

He laughed. It was mirthless. “I have a different need of you.”

Absolutely not , I thought. Even as my stomach fluttered in anticipation. He would never take from me.

“I see that intrigues you more than you’d like.”

He couldn’t possibly know that. The half-smile widening on his face said he was awfully sure of himself. No matter his appearance or what Jasmine and Serena swore by, I couldn’t let a Blessed touch me.

It was my one rule to hold on to.

The one secret I had left.

Alaric may be gone, but me and my parents were still in danger if anyone found out.

“Calm down, Chaos. I’m not going to … touch you.” He spoke with his usual confidence, but I didn’t miss the hint of hesitation as he said it.

“I need you to trust me. ”

“What?” I couldn’t help my surprise. “That’s not exactly a demand you can make.”

He was grinning now. “You’re the one who needs something from me. Youngleaf is the main ingredient in a tonic for your Mother, is it not?”

What a bastard. “This isn’t a great first step to gaining my trust.”

Heat danced in his eyes again. It was tough to say whether it was anger or amusement.

“You need to trust that I won’t take your life. You can’t flinch every time I approach.”

I clenched my fist at my side. “That’s impossible. My physical reaction is out of your control.”

“Is it out of yours?”

I folded my arms over my chest.

He looked pensive. “Alright, then. We’re going to build trust. You’re going to owe me a favor.”

That was too broad. I knew it. He knew it—but he didn’t seem to care.

Damn Alaric. Hart knew I wouldn’t let Mother’s condition worsen just because I couldn’t stomach how he leveraged his position. Whatever he asked, I had to agree.

When I replied, he was already striding past me, sure of my acceptance. “Fine.”

He called over his shoulder. “Knew I could count on you, Chaos.”