Page 59 of Legacy of the Heirs (The Lost Kingdom Saga #2)

Elisara

T he gods knew. Elisara sensed it as she crossed through the Vala gate to the Neutral City, the talisman tucked into the pouch at her side.

Its power hummed, beckoning for Elisara to touch it, but she dared not risk it again.

The gods knew they would be called upon today.

She felt it in the deep chill that settled over the city, one which should have vanished the moment she stepped out of her realm and into the sanctuary of the city.

Elisara glanced back at Vala to see if it was changed in any way with the talisman removed.

It was not. She frowned . Growing up, history lessons taught the talismans maintained the distinct ecosystems of the four realms, but perhaps the transition took time.

Kazaar brushed his shoulder against hers.

Citizens closed their doors and tucked their shawls tight against their bodies, frowning at the sky.

Elisara was reminded of how different things were now.

Elisara looked at Kazaar. During their last visit here, she was forced to leave with him for the Unsanctioned Isle, and on the visit before that, she could not imagine even sharing a room with him.

He smiled, brushing his finger against the back of her hand. She nodded. They could do this.

During their short journey from the Vellius Sea, the realisation dawned on them: They might soon face their gods.

It was difficult to comprehend and was a particularly uncomfortable thought for Elisara and Kazaar, who hid the powers beneath their skin—powers belonging to neither Vala nor Keres.

For now, they ignored the power sparking between them as they marched into the soft fog drifting through the city along the cobbles .

Elisara tested her powers to confirm the revelation on their last visit remained true, that the rulers could access their abilities within the city.

She twisted her fingers and her test proved successful as the fog at her feet twisted around her shins at her command.

Warmth brushed her hand, and she glanced at the flames licking her palm. Kazaar could use his, too.

“Will you reveal that to the others?” Elisara asked.

Vlad was close behind and did not know the extent of Kazaar’s hidden truths, but based on his constant jests with her commander, she did not think Vlad suspected anything, and if he did, it did not appear to bother him.

In fact, Vlad and Kazaar appeared to be on a path to becoming friends.

“Do you think I should tell them?” Kazaar asked. The twists of fog at their feet slowly changed, forming a thick blanket that blurred the streets as they navigated towards the ruined temple.

“Only if you feel comfortable.”

“I am not sure my feelings are relevant given the state of things.” Elisara did not respond but felt his probing gaze. “You do not agree?” Elisara glanced down the cobbled street.

“Would you say my feelings were irrelevant if we discussed how much of our connection to share with the others?” she challenged.

“Point taken.”

“What if the gods reveal our connection to them before we can? How does that make us look when we all agreed to work together without secrets?”

“It would be too sudden to tell them before completing such a momentous task.”

“After then?” she asked, and Kazaar nodded.

Vlad tapped Elisara’s shoulder from behind, and she slowed to walk by him.

“Do you think the others were successful?” he asked.

The three of them entered the city square, and memories of her family flooded back.

She blinked them away, not wishing to relive the grief she kept so well at bay.

The fog was thinning now and twisted around the temple in a swirl resembling smoke until only a thin layer remained at their feet.

In doing so, it allowed a clear view of the area. Nyzaia leaned against the temple, with Farid and Jabir standing stiff on either side of her. She pushed off it when she locked eyes with her friend.

Elisara’s steps faltered when two others exited the street directly from Nyzaia’s right.

Elisara’s eyes noted their intertwined hands before they separated.

Caellum touched the small of Sadira’s back, guiding her to the others.

They wore emerald green, the velvet of her fitted bodice mirroring his jacket, while the white flowers on Caellum’s cuffs matched the bottom of Sadira’s skirts.

There appeared to be something different about the pair as they approached.

The crowns atop their heads caught beneath a stream of sunlight before hiding behind the clouds.

They looked regal, like king and queen. Like husband and wife.

“I guess that answers my question, given they are here,” Vlad said beside her.

She had almost forgotten his question, distracted by Caellum and Sadira, who portrayed an image of a life once destined for her.

She tilted her head, waiting for the stab of pain in her chest, but she felt nothing but indifference.

Sadira’s demeanour changed, and she covered her mouth, running past Caellum and Nyzaia with wide eyes.

Elisara turned to see the cause of the sudden shift in her behaviour.

“Larelle!” Sadira sobbed as the queen of Nerida approached from the street, connecting to Nerida’s gateway.

Elisara released a sigh of relief as the two embraced.

It reminded her of her friendship with Nyzaia.

Caellum grasped Alvan’s hand, and the two shared a grin before patting each other on the back.

“When did they all become so friendly?” Nyzaia crossed her arms, and Elisara shrugged.

“They are neighbouring realms; perhaps that is why.”

“I also neighbour Garridon, and I can confidently tell you I will never embrace Caellum like that.”

Kazaar scoffed behind Nyzaia in agreement, and Elisara slapped his arm. He grinned at her, and she smiled back, forgetting for a moment that they were not alone.

“Pay up,” said Jabir. Elisara turned to a member of Nyzaia’s syndicate as Farid solemnly handed him coins.

“What was that about?” Elisara asked a grinning Nyzaia, who shrugged.

“Just a bet.”

Kazaar frowned. “On what?”

“On the two of you.” Nyzaia smiled but said no more, stepping forward to clasp Larelle’s arm awkwardly, a subtle confirmation she was glad of her return.

Elisara mirrored the action yet noticed the darkened circles beneath Larelle’s eyes.

Elisara tilted her head, opening her mouth to ask what happened.

“Are we doing this? Or do you all need another moment to fawn over one another?” Sadira tensed as they turned to find Soren.

The fallen queen spun on her heel and entered the temple, swinging her blonde braids behind her.

Elisara felt some pain for Sadira; she also knew how it felt to have a tense relationship with a sister.

“Does she have to be here?” Nyzaia mumbled, gesturing to Soren as the group walked to the temple.

“If I am, then yes,” Sadira said elegantly, before adding, “Unfortunately.”

Nyzaia lit candles around the open room as the rulers and their entourage filtered in, each taking their spot at the chairs beneath their realm’s banner.

The large, cracked stone table felt smaller with added bodies.

Any additional guards—Vlad included—waited outside, but even the added presence of Alvan, Farid, Sadira, and Soren made it feel crowded.

What would the Historian say if he were here to see this?

His absence felt strange, given he had supported them through so much and always took charge when they were at the temple.

She hoped he led his mission to find aid just as well, but who would guide them in his absence

The group stared at one another, waiting to see who would be the first to confirm their success.

Elisara pulled the pouch from her side and tipped the talisman onto the table; it clinked as it landed.

She was careful not to touch it as the fog from outside seeped into the room, encircling her legs.

Nyzaia mimicked her and avoided the falling metal, too, while Caellum pulled the talisman from his pouch and rested it on the stone. Elisara frowned. How could he touch it?

Larelle went next, a soft glow in her eyes as she, too, pulled the talisman from her side and placed it on the table before her. Elisara shared a glance with Nyzaia.

“How can you hold it?” Nyzaia asked, addressing only Larelle. Larelle frowned and tilted her head.

“What do you mean?”

“Your talisman,” Elisara said. “How can you touch it?”

Larelle picked the piece back up, her eyes glowing again when she did. Amber returned to Nyzaia’s gaze when she reached for her talisman, prompting Elisara to reach for her own. She prepared to flinch and drop it, but the stone felt cool as she held it in her palm.

“What is the confusion?” Caellum asked.

“I could not pull my talisman from its place. It burned me,” Nyzaia answered.

“Mine tried to strike me with lightning,” Elisara confirmed.

Larelle rotated her talisman with her fingers, contemplating.

“I did not take mine initially,” she said eventually. “I picked it up, but I was not the one who pulled it from its place.” Elisara leaned back, sensing the tingle in her fingertips.

“It is a defence.” Kazaar gripped Elisara’s chair, his knuckles grazing her back.

“A ruler cannot take it from its spot. There must be another there—a balance,” Farid added, nodding to Kazaar.

“It would make sense,” Nyzaia confirmed. “They were hidden to share power among the land but also to prevent a ruler from becoming too powerful.”

Larelle nodded eagerly as they deduced the reasoning.

“Another must take it for the ruler to show there is trust and knowledge of the power being handled,” Larelle agreed, and Elisara noticed Sadira and Caellum exchange a glance. Soren stood over them, smirking.

“Now what?” asked Sadira, eager to change the subject. She glanced at Caellum again. They were hiding something. Elisara did not know whether to feel hurt at how quickly they had come to trust one another.

“You cannot judge, given who you spent a night with.” Kazaar’s voice sounded in her mind before an image of Elisara materialised, reliving that night from his point of view.

A thread of Kazaar’s jealousy twisted through her, and she shifted in her seat, hoping to hide the blush across her face when she reached to tap his leg for reassurance. Elisara peered around the group.

“Alvan,” Larelle called, and he stepped forward, presenting a roll of scrolls. “Now we meet our makers.”