Page 69 of The Ever King

“And you were led to me,” I insisted. “If you’ve been given a different way to heal your land, then take it, Erik.”

He considered the words for a few breaths, then cupped a hand behind my head, both tender and as a threat. “Swear you will tell me what you know of my father’s mantle, and I will stay my hand. Swear it.”

I had no choice. He was vindictive, he’d been a fiend, but he was also fueled by more than revenge. He was a king leading a broken land and had acted in desperation. He deserved to know his mantle was never returning to the Ever.

With a slow nod, I whispered, “I swear.”

“Good.” Erik slipped his fingers into mine. “Then come with me.”

CHAPTER24

The Serpent

Livia hated me. I should hate her, but there was a weak, pathetic piece of me that could not turn away from the woman. I couldn’t rid my thoughts of her. To her, I might be hideous, but in spineless moments, I thought I might be content to kneel at her feet for the rest of my damn days if she healed the Ever.

When we returned to the Tower, I led her up the staircase to the highest rooms. My limp was more pronounced by making a second trip, and I caught Livia glance at it more than once.

“You’re to meet the Lady of the House of Mists,” I said once we were outside the door. “Some know her as the lady of witches and the sirens.”

Livia shuddered. “And sea singers?”

“Aye, love. The House Lady favors the spell casting side. She won’t be luring you away.”

“A true sea witch?” Her voice was strained. “They’ve always been more folklore than real.”

“They are real, I assure you. Narza is a master at spell casting,” I said, “and not even she has been able to clear the darkening as you did.”

“Erik.” Livia tugged on my hand. “You must know something about my fury—my magic.”

“I know what you call your power,” I said, quickening our step on the stairs. “Walk and tell me.”

“When . . . when I dig deep enough, the land—” She let out a huff when her toe caught the edge of the stair. I held onto her until she righted again. “The land reveals moments to me.”

“Moments?”

She nodded. Her hands trembled, each slender finger betraying the turmoil she tried to keep hidden. “Secrets are heard by the trees, the flowers, the earth. Blood and bone from death, be it battle or murder or the aged, it doesn’t matter, the earth knows.”

“You can see what has happened on the land?”

“Yes.” Livia shifted. “Normally, I only see what has happened in that place. But with this darkening, it’s different. Today I thought I saw someone in the shadows of my mind. I think they had some knowledge of the darkening, but I couldn’t make them out. There was pain and I think a death. Erik, I don’t know how it was caused, but I don’t believe it to be something natural. It is a curse.”

My body hummed in a sense of dread. I’d thought it was decay from the closed Chasm. What if it was darker? What if it had been caused with intention?

“Stay beside me,” I warned, and continued our ascent to the tower.

The high tower room kept a chill, and after stewing for a few nights, the space smelled of damp oak moss and sweet smoked herbs.

“I expect you have much to tell me.” Narza’s voice came from one corner.

We shared blood through my mother, but that was the only similarity other than our proclivity to be vicious. Narza abandoned me after my mother’s death. Perhaps she had every right, but I still burned in resentment for her disregard when I’d needed her most.

Livia stiffened at my side. I took her hand and said nothing. “As promised, Lady Narza, I brought you the earth fae.”

Narza narrowed her eyes. “I assume you still believe this girl has some power over what plagues us here.”

With a tug, I drew Livia closer. It didn’t take much prodding. She eyed Narza with a bit of wariness and pressed her soft curves against my side. “She chases away the darkening; I want to know why.”

Narza circled Livia and me, a huntress to her prey. “Show me the mark.”