Page 31 of Jeweler to the Blessed (Champions of Chaos #1)

He promised to take care of your tonic. I trust him with that.

— ALARIC SARE’S LETTERS TO ISABELLE ARKOVA

H art’s question stuck with me. I certainly didn’t have an answer.

What did we know of the origin of adamas?

It ruled my life as a citizen of Kavios.

I could identify it when others could not, but it was an innate knowing—unexplainable—maybe like how the gem held magic.

The discussion with Hart made me miss Alaric.

I could see so clearly in my mind Hart and Alaric arguing over the information Hart shared.

Maybe this was what I’d been looking for. Maybe Hart was like Alaric. Maybe he truly worshiped Eris in a kingdom where it was treason to do so. He could have learned about it after the Blessing. It would explain why he helped the Feared but didn’t want me dead.

With Hart’s help, I finished cutting and shaping the stones over the course of the afternoon.

We had three stones from our first trip to the mines.

As I finished each one, I felt a more concentrated warmth within.

I was confident these gems would hold magic, but that only brought forth my other dilemma: whether to give the finished gems to the Glanmores.

My back ached from leaning over the blade for hours.

Hart, for his part, did whatever I asked.

His presence was as overpowering as it was steady and familiar.

I wasn’t sure what to make of it. It wasn’t as if I grew …

used … to his presence. I was always painfully aware of it.

But I could admit I trusted him in my space.

I stopped flinching every time he moved closer. To his credit, he did it as infrequently as he could. I turned my thoughts to the Cornucopia tonight, another celebration on the path to the Blessing Ceremony.

Prince Elias would name the Selected since he had been interrupted at the festival.

But traditionally, the Cornucopia represented the royal family’s generosity to the city.

Tables were set through the center of Cross Street, and chairs were pulled from taverns, homes, and shops.

It was a special event, bringing everyone together for a feast.

The foods served were similar to those at the Selection. Vendors from the festival were awarded contracts for both nights, but at the Cornucopia, the royal family paid the bill.

“Do you think the Feared will make another display tonight?” I asked.

Hart indicated they weren’t on great terms, but maybe he knew their plans. I may believe he would keep me safe, but that didn’t mean I wanted to walk carelessly into another event like the festival .

I wasn’t sure Kavios could handle another nightmare like that.

Although, the city did what it did best: forgot anything terrible had happened and moved on. The magicless citizens did this daily when we witnessed the accidental takings by the Blessed. We were used to it, but the Blessed had no such familiarity with trauma.

The Feared appeared to be on a mission to provide that education, no matter who else it impacted. It seemed unlikely the Cursed King would make a statement like he had at the festival and disappear.

Hart parted the curtain that led to the storefront and ushered me through. “It’s impossible to know.”

I didn’t like the answer but understood the truth in it.

“I’ll protect you either way.”

This morning had proved that—again. Hart’s story during our work today further proved his friendship with Alaric.

It had to be one rooted in lore, history, and the divine.

Hart claimed to be Alaric’s banned book supplier.

I didn’t see a reason why he’d lie about that.

My hesitations from this morning fell away, and finally, I decided to open Alaric’s storage closet with him present.

In all likelihood, he already knew it was there.

“I have to do something before we go.”

Before the Selected had arrived, I’d found a note from Alaric, but I’d stuffed it back into the book in my haste. I needed to read it, and I didn’t want to wait until I could devise another way to be here alone to do so.

Hart shrugged as I padded to the bookshelf. His lip curved into a surprised smile when I reached for the hidden latch. Warmth bloomed in my chest as he held my gaze. There was no doubt in my mind he knew it was there. His surprise was … for me .

Was he surprised that I’d shown it to him? Maybe I was a little surprised at myself. I hadn’t wanted to open it with him earlier, but talking to him this afternoon had felt as familiar as my debates with Alaric.

The book was where I’d left it, the paper stuffed inside. I knew it was from Alaric—knew it was for me. Hart didn’t follow me in. He couldn’t see me from where he stood. I skimmed the note. Water rimmed my eyes and a tear fell on the paper before I finished. I hadn’t even realized I was crying.

Alaric had planned to go.

The paper had been rolled, like maybe it was the next riddle he intended to hand me. No. I shook my head. He’d meant for me to find it—because he intended not to be here.

I hope your trip brings you the answers you seek.

Your mother is taken care of. If I’m not here, don’t stay.

No matter what you choose, I love you, Ember.

He was gone. What was worse: He had planned to leave. Father’s words rang in my head. I was just a project. When I planned to leave, Alaric left to find a new one.

And he hadn’t told me. He hadn’t wanted to say goodbye.

I let the anger seep in at the second sentence.

If I’m not here, don’t stay.

I hadn’t even considered continuing with my trip when he was missing. Not that I’d had an option with Vaddon’s arrival. Would things have been different if I’d found this note instead of Vaddon finding me in his shop that morning?

Your mother is taken care of.

Fire curled in my chest. That is not the story I’d received from his seller, and it was also one of the reasons I didn’t think leaving was an option. I should not be surprised that Hart would lie to me about this, but it felt like another kick in the ribs.

Hart had extracted a promise from me for the youngleaf delivery. He’d exerted power over me, knowing what it was for. Was this all a game to him? This note said he’d already made a deal with Alaric to care for Mother.

My fist closed around the paper, crumbling it.

I needed someone I could trust. Nothing Hart could say would make me believe him. Not when he’d leveraged his position.

Ava would have answers. The bartender at Forest’s Edge was one of only a few who’d been straight with me since Alaric went missing. I could tell she cared about Alaric. If I couldn’t trust Hart, I wanted to hear about the delivery from her. I believed she would be honest with me.

“Alright, Chaos?” Hart called.

Swiping the tears from my eyes, I pushed my shoulders back. Maybe Ava would be at the Cornucopia tonight. I could speak to her then. I walked out of the storage room and secured it.

“Not bringing anything with you?”

“Just checking something.”

His lip twitched like he might smile again, but it fell before it fully curled. His gaze searched mine. I was afraid of what he found there. He said nothing as he parted the curtain again, holding it open for me to leave.

His silence behind me was unnerving. Pretending it didn’t bother me, I walked toward the window to tend to the plants.

Outside the shop’s front window, the tables were set in the middle of the street.

I didn’t hate the sentiment this event represented.

The idea of the city coming together to celebrate its citizens.

A feast in honor of those who made the city better by living, contributing, and enjoying their lives here.

It wasn’t about the Glanmores, and it wasn’t actually about the Blessed.

It was one time the entire city came together.

The problem was that the sentiment was just that—a feeling, not reality. I pressed my fingers into the dirt of the plant I tended. It was like my false sense of control over the Oldwood—a feeling only, not my reality. Tomorrow, I’d have to face the Oldwood again.

It was a presence impossible to deny.

Just like, during the Cornucopia, it was impossible not to notice that the Blessed ate on the western side of the street and the rest ate on the eastern. The groups only mingled after dinner when residents proceeded to establishments like Forest’s Edge.

Finished with the plants, I turned to Hart, meeting his gaze. He’d been waiting for me to do so. It was only then, with eyes locked, that he spoke.

“I’ll keep you safe. You have nothing to fear.”

Nothing to fear. I highly doubted that.

Alaric wasn’t coming back. He’d left of his own volition, thinking I’d also be gone. Clearly, he hadn’t intended for me to take his position, but there was nothing he could do about that now. As much as his actions stung, I had to believe he was doing what was right for him.

I’d ignored the thoughts earlier today but knew I had to confront them eventually.

It was time to decide what to do about my role and what I could live with.

Now that the royal family knew of my skills, they might not accept my disappearance as easily as they’d accepted Alaric’s.

But if Alaric didn’t want to be found and Mother didn’t need me to make the tonic, what were my options?

Maybe it was time to find out.

With the setting sun, Cross Street filled. Hart was never more than a few steps behind me, though he let me roam freely. I kept my eyes peeled for Ava but hadn’t seen her yet. A smile bloomed when I heard Jasmine’s voice across the street.

She dragged Matthew by the hand through a break in the uneven table. “Happy Cornucopia.”

“Happy Cornucopia,” Serena added, sauntering after them.

Her voice was deeper than I was used to, sultrier. I turned to wish her the same and realized she wasn’t looking at me. Her gaze was fixed on Hart. I glanced at Jasmine, whose hand had gone to her mouth to cover a laugh.