Page 49

Chapter

Forty-Eight

As the ceremony drew to a close, the room seemed to settle into a tense, uneasy quiet.

Forty inductees remained unselected, their dreams dangled before them to be snatched away at the last moment—like a cat playing with a helpless toy.

The weight of disappointment hung heavy in the air, stifling and undeniable.

Kadian, ever the reassuring presence, gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze before stepping away to join his parents.

My heart lifted watching him reunite with his family.

His mother’s arms wrapped tightly around him, her fingers threading through his newly auburn hair, a mark of his place in the Court of Shadows.

“Guess I need to go sort this,” Tamra muttered beside me, her usual bold demeanor dimmed.

She moved to greet her family, though Oz, still crestfallen from the events, remained lingering on the edges.

His disappointment mirrored the lingering tension in the room.

I ran my hand through my hair, my gaze lowering to my fingers.

I hadn’t felt any change within myself, nor had I noticed any physical alteration.

Perhaps it was because my hair and eyes were already aligned with the Court of Shadows’ aesthetics.

I pushed the thought aside, reminding myself I had someone important to see.

When I found Alvar and my father at the back of the room, they were laughing—full, deep laughter, as if the world beyond this moment didn’t exist. Alvar was doubled over, his shoulders shaking, while my father slapped his knee in pure amusement.

I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips, a deep warmth filling me.

How could he look this well?

“Hey, Dad,” I said softly as I approached.

My father’s pale eyes welled with emotion the instant he saw me.

He turned to Alvar, who gave him a silent nod of reassurance, before rising to his feet.

I didn’t hesitate; I rushed forward and threw myself into his arms. The feel of him, solid and warm, the familiar scent of home wrapping around me, was almost too much to bear.

His embrace tightened, securing me in a way that made the months of worry and fear melt away in an instant.

“Hello, my beautiful girl,” his rich voice whispered.

I pulled back just enough to cup his face in my hands, searching his features.

The gauntness, the weariness that had plagued him was gone.

He looked like the man I remembered, not the frail figure I had feared losing.

I couldn’t make sense of it.

“How...?” I barely managed to get the word out, my voice thick with disbelief.

His hands covered mine, pulling them gently down from his face as he smiled at me, his eyes filled with nothing but love and admiration.

“Dad, the herbs I sent—they helped, but not this much. Tell me what happened,” I pressed, desperate for an explanation.

Before he could answer, Alvar chimed in, his voice drawing my attention.

“Apologies for being late to the ceremony. I hope you didn’t think we’d abandoned you,” he said, stepping forward with that familiar calmness though his smile was warm and genuine.

My father nodded toward him, his expression softening.

“I owe this man my life, Brida. More than I can ever repay.”

I blinked, looking between the two of them.

It was clear there was more to the story, something unsaid lingering between them.

Alvar cleared his throat, motioning for me to step aside with him.

“Brida, may we speak for a moment?” He helped my father settle back into his chair before guiding me a few steps away.

“What’s going on, Alvar?” I whispered, my nerves on edge.

The strange feeling that all of this could slip away, like a dream fading upon waking, terrified me.

Alvar gave me a reassuring smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“We couldn’t very well have your father miss the ceremony, could we?” There was a warmth in his tone that made my heart ache, and I couldn’t help but smile back, despite my growing questions.

“How did you bring him here?” I asked, swiping at the tears that had begun to gather again.

“You can’t shadow-step.”

“Ah, no, I cannot.” He leaned in, his voice dropping.

“But I happen to know two people who can.”

My heart stuttered in my chest, my breath catching.

“Dainan and Asana?” I asked, the disbelief creeping into my voice.

He nodded. “They wanted to help.”

I wanted to thank him, to express the overwhelming gratitude swelling within me, but the words tangled on my tongue.

Alvar seemed to sense it, his expression softening as he spoke again.

“There are a few things we need to discuss, Brida. First, families must leave this afternoon. The Wind Walkers will handle their transport back home, so use your time wisely.”

I nodded, the weight of the day pressing in on me.

I didn’t want to waste a single moment with my father.

“And secondly,” Alvar hesitated, his voice dropping to a quieter tone.

“The weddings…”

“The weddings?” I echoed, my stomach twisting.

“They’ll be held in the Center Court throne room. It’s…for appearances. A show that everyone is equal,” he continued, though I could hear the disdain in his voice.

“I’d suggest spending the morning in the House of Shadows or the library. You’ll find peace there.”

“I’ll do as you ask, Alvar,” I said, though the words felt like a betrayal of myself.

Inside, the fiery sensation grew as if my very soul was splintering under the weight of helplessness.

“He cares about you,” Alvar whispered, his voice softening.

“I’ve never seen him like this before.”

“Not even with Cyria?” I found myself asking before I could stop.

Alvar blinked, taken aback.

“No,” he replied, his voice barely audible.

We stood in silence, and then, with a gentle squeeze of my arm, he pulled me back to the present.

“Go enjoy the afternoon with your father, Brida. There will be work for you after tomorrow.”

I met his gaze, a deep sincerity mirrored in his dark eyes.

“Do you know what my official position will be? Will I stay in Azmeer or be sent to Mount Kaiver?” I asked though the thought of being separated from Kadian made my chest tighten.

“If I am to be king, I’ll need someone by my side to keep things in order.” He leaned in, lowering his voice.

“You didn’t think I’d let you work for anyone else, did you?”

Despite the tension in the room, I found myself embracing Alvar, the gratitude overwhelming me.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“You have nothing to thank me for, Brida,” he replied.

“I will see you after the weddings. Be sure to be on time.” With a wink, Alvar pulled away, making his way through the crowd to his brothers.

Turning, I made my way back to my father.

“Let me show you Azmeer.”