Page 40 of Jeweler to the Blessed (Champions of Chaos #1)

He might not right his wrongs if she leaves, but maybe he’ll avoid new ones.

— FROM CHAMPIONS OF KAVIOS

H art took the lead when we turned east at the Oldwood Trail fork. The path was there, but it was overgrown and wild, making it appear rarely used.

I blamed King Rodric. While traders still brought goods in and took ours out, few, if any, other visitors came to our city.

Kavios was nestled near the mountains. It wasn’t an easy trip from the continent’s other kingdoms, but it must be even less appealing with the influence of Rodric’s magic.

Did the other kingdoms know of his influence?

It always came back to adamas. What was Hart’s question? What did we know of its origins? Not much, but we knew the Oldwood Mine was the only source. The other kingdoms may have champions, but what was one or two magic wielders versus hundreds of Blessed?

“Where are we going?” I asked as Hart led us from the path.

“Don’t get scared now, Chaos. We’re just getting to the good part.”

I could do without his taunt, although the low tug in my belly at his voice said otherwise.

Fear of where Hart would lead hadn’t crossed my mind.

Maybe fear of the Oldwood, but I was managing its pull.

Last night, I’d told Hart the secret that defined my life.

After I had trusted him with that, there wasn’t much more to give.

“The settlement is only a few more miles this way.”

He was lucky I was a fast walker. Trekking from Woodside to Lower Hill regularly was no small feat.

I’d learned to do so quickly to avoid notice.

In his uniform, Hart looked like he exercised every hour of the day.

Realistically, I knew it was from magic.

Stolen joy honed the Blessed’s bodies into the standard of beauty.

Yet, a niggling reminder in the back of my mind told me I’d still never seen Hart take.

Even Serena said he ignored all willing partners, not just her. I wasn’t sure why that made me smile.

A raven cawed overhead. It landed on a low branch and screeched again. It was directed at Hart if I didn’t know better.

“We’re coming,” Hart said.

“Are you talking to that bird?”

“Would you believe me if I said yes?”

I would, but I questioned my sanity.

“We’re almost there.” He picked up the pace, and the bird flapped its wings, taking flight. We had veered slightly north in the off-path trek, and now boulders, twice my height, came into view. These must be fallen pieces of the Pinnacle Range. Our journey had taken us into the foothills.

Hart led me through a maze of massive stones. I hoped no one had been around when they’d fallen. Finally, we turned again, revealing a settlement of tents I hadn’t seen until staring at them straight on.

A woman stood before us. “About time you showed up.”

Her dark brown hair was almost black and braided down her back.

She stood with her hands on her hips, and a sword was strapped to her back.

The raven in question landed on her shoulder.

This woman had the beauty of a Blessed. Her white skin was flawless from my vantage point, even as her clothing told another story.

The trousers and tunic she wore looked like they’d seen better days.

A tear in her cloak snagged my attention—probably from the bird’s talons.

She was a contrast in every way, and nothing showed it more clearly than when a man walked up beside her and handed her an adamas pendant.

“You might need this,” he whispered.

Hart leveled a glare at him. “We’re invited guests, Reid.”

The man—Reid—was dressed similarly to the woman. He shrugged at Hart. “Can never be too careful.”

His arm draped protectively around the woman’s shoulders as he slid the pendant over her head. The bird flapped at the disturbance, and the woman laughed, meeting my gaze.

“Overprotective men, am I right?”

I laughed as she brushed off both Reid and the bird.

She gestured toward the tents. “I’m Alysa. Welcome to The Storm.”

“The Storm?” I asked.

“That’s what we call our settlement. Let me show you around.”

The Storm was small, but I was surprised by how many people it contained—at least fifty, by my count. There were men, women, and even children. Alysa knew everyone. I couldn’t explain it, but it was clear she held some position of power with them.

She waved to a family amid morning chores. “The Trellis family joined us a few months ago. They feared their daughter would be Selected and didn’t want to be separated. Most families here had some reason to leave. They felt they had no options.”

At the tent next to the Trellis family, a man slowly pushed back his tent flap, also starting his day. He moved like he was eighty—he looked it too.

“A Blessed over-took from Patrick,” Alysa said. “I wasn’t sure he’d survive. They just left him there, in the alley.” She gestured at Hart. “Lucky that one found him, got him some of your uncle’s tonic, and got him to us.”

Is this what Hart wanted me to see? A community outside the walls of Kavios, not subject to Rodric’s influence? That thought gave me pause.

“The Storm,” I said aloud. “As in the opposite of King Rodric’s calm?”

Alysa nodded. “We’re not rebels like the Feared. We’ve chosen to live outside the system, but we’d rather face the storms of life outside Kavios than exist within it in such a state.”

It was almost fantastical to think about. Immediately, I knew it could solve so many of my problems. Mother and Father could live here. The community knew Alaric’s remedy and had access to the necessary herb.

As much as it had the potential to help, it also hurt. I shouldn’t be surprised by now, but this was another secret Alaric had kept. He hadn’t told me about a community outside the city walls. He hadn’t shared that he helped get those who wanted to leave out of Kavios.

I couldn’t believe I’d thought I was the first one planning to leave. Alysa was already moving on, talking about another family or resident.

Hart met and held my gaze before I followed. His face was impassive, and I had no idea what he read from mine. This place seemed unreal. As disappointed as I was that Alaric didn’t tell me about it, I was just as astounded that Hart had.

Did he know I contemplated leaving? Did he think I should? I guessed he knew my mother’s condition, meaning it wasn’t a big leap to recognize that she would need a place like this.

Although he’d brought me here and must see it as a solution to some of my problems, he was still on edge. His fingers twitched near his sword, though he didn’t draw it. How many times must he have been through this encampment, yet he was still on guard?

Maybe that was just his way. Not trusting anyone seemed lonely, but I couldn’t exactly cast stones. I was much the same. Perhaps Hart and I were more alike than I had considered.

“Come on, you two. Keep up!” Alysa called.

I hurried to catch her, falling into step at her side. “So, the bird is your … pet?”

She laughed. “I guess that’s the best way to explain it.”

“And Reid …” I was prying now.

“Not my pet. He’s my husband.”

I looked at the gem hanging from her neck. “Are you Blessed?”

She gestured to the tent before us, pulling back the flap. “You should come in. We can talk.” Hart moved to follow. She held up a hand to stop him. “Ladies only.”

“Abso—” Hart started.

“That’s it. We do this privately or not at all. I don’t know what you’re up to, but I know it’s part of why you brought her here.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Take it or leave it.”

A string of curses left Hart’s mouth. He glanced at me. “I’ll be right outside.”

Alysa giggled, another contradiction to the fierce woman who had just put Hart in his place. I wondered what I’d gotten myself into.

The tent felt more at home than anywhere I could remember—except maybe Alaric’s workshop. Although, that hadn’t felt the same without him in it.

Alysa fit here. The inside of the tent had the same contrasts as her person.

Two bedrolls were pushed together, with a large heaping of heavy blankets atop.

The scene looked like a cozy cottage. A makeshift bedside table was erected, holding a book and a mug with something that smelled like mint.

The other side of the tent looked like a blacksmith’s workshop.

Blades, bows, and axes were laid out on a trunk acting as a display table.

I didn’t know Alysa, but I thought I liked her.

Alysa turned. She leaned against the trunk and gestured for me to sit on the bed. “So … am I Blessed?” She tapped her chin. “The short answer is no.”

“And the long answer?” I asked.

“Well, it’s a different story.”

“I’d like to hear it if you’re willing to share it.”

She considered me. “Before I do, can I ask you something?”

I nodded. It seemed only fair.

“What’s Hart to you?”

My answer was mechanical. I didn’t allow myself to think. “He’s my guard. ”

“But why? You’re the Jeweler to the Blessed. The key to breaking the Blessed’s hold on Kavios, if rumors are correct. No jeweler, no adamas. No adamas, no Blessed.” She shrugged, like discussing my death was nothing more than an inconvenience.

My gaze darted toward the tent entrance. I wondered if Hart should have fought harder to be allowed entry.

“You misunderstand,” she said, sensing my rising panic. “I don’t want to hurt you. My path is set. I don’t fight Rodric’s system. I live outside of it.”

That, I understood. It was a path I’d considered myself. One I would consider again if I could ensure my parents’ safety.

Alysa continued, “I don’t care what the Feared do, but don’t you find it odd that Hart guards you? Defends you from them? He’s worked with them for years.”

I couldn’t fault her question. I struggled with it too. Ultimately, I’d accepted that he would defend me—he’d proved it time and time again. This question didn’t feel like mine to answer. It felt like something she should ask Hart.

“I don’t think he had a choice,” I said. “He was assigned.”