Page 140 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

I stiffen, and he senses my unease.

Alec squeezes me in his arms with reassurance, and whispers to me, “Take as long as you need. I will be here.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

ELLYA

Alec rifles through the icebox, pulling out several items and setting them on the marble counter, warm sunlight slanting through jewel toned windows. He pulls down two plates and begins adding an assortment of cold foods to each, not attempting to heat anything.

“I think it was you who taught me the word ‘fuck’ when you set this kitchen on fire,” I say with a smirk, basking in the full memory.

Alec looks back at me with a grin.

“Where are Kraeston and Nana? They’re always nearby, and I couldn’t find either of them to train with,” I ask curiously.

“I asked Mhay to be scarce for a few days. And you will not find Kraeston around the palace for some time.”

“Why?”

“I have sent him to find out what Ceivise has been up to since I saw her last.” Alec pauses, watching me with trepidation. “And Rahleigh.”

The rush of blood in my ears at the name alone is instant. Even with my full memories returned, it doesn’t lessen the jealous sting of knowing someone else had almost claimed what’s mine.

I scowl. “Is Ceivise another one of your old lovers?”

Alec laughs loud, his face twisting at the thought. “Gods, no. An old friend who grew up with us in the palace. Ceivise is the bastard daughter of one of my father’s advisors. Her mother was a whore in a poor coastal town of the Mother Continent whom he impregnated while on a tour of the southeastern Territories. When Ceivise was five, her powers manifested. Her mother brought her here, demanding he raise her and give her a better life. He did so, begrudgingly, as there was no denying Ceivise’s paternity with her displaying his exact powers.”

“What powers does she have?” I ask curiously, remembering how she licked Rahleigh’s hand and stated she could taste her rejection and disappointment.

“The power she displayed in your vision came from her mother, as an Empath. And Ceivise does not have to taste your skin to read your emotions, it only makes them more stout. Similar to how facets of my gift are more profound if I make physical contact.”

Alec pauses to take a drink, guzzling straight from a pitcher of chilled cucumber water before handing it to me.

“From her father, Ceivise can duplicate most objects. I have only met three people in my life who possess both a physical and mental gift: you, Kraeston, and Ceivise. She was not particularly upset when her father died during the Culling, freed of his expectations for her to marry a lord and live a life as a proper lady. She is now a feared pirate. An incredibly wealthy one, with the ability to double most loots.”

I smile wide, recalling the tenacity of the woman in my vision. “Sounds like I would like her.”

Alec nods in agreement, piling our plates with fruit. “You absolutely would. I have not seen her in many years.” He frowns as he slides my food in front of me. “Though fierce and deadly, I do notsee her choosing to follow the path of true darkness. But we must assume that she has, given what you have shown me.” Alec turns from his meal and pulls me close again. “At this point, I assume nearly everyone is our enemy.”

Worrying my lip between my teeth, I mull over everything I know. “What does it all mean? What’s the point?”

Alec sighs heavily, understanding the true nature of my question—what am I meant to do with the power of the gems? “I cannot say for certain. Yes, my father talked about the gems from my early childhood on. But I refused to listen to anything about them after a point. Not until you Saw Dhystros place the emerald. I was conflicted about going to retrieve it without you, given that it had called to you.”

Alec looks at me apologetically. He gently brushes his thumb over my shoulder, the warmth of it like a soft lick of flame feeding my hungry flesh.

“How did you know where to find it?” I ask, returning to my food and taking a small bite of brown bread.

“I had been to that cave before as a teenager with your father. And with Locane.” Alec’s eyes rove over my face, watching for my reaction, something about his expression guarded. I nod for him to continue.

“None of us knew what the strange green light was. Nor did we care to go back and find out at the time. When you had your vision, and I pieced together what it was—what it meant—I could not leave the emerald unguarded for my brother to find. He had already abandoned his Kingdom, family, and sanity in his quest. I did not know at the time if he had pieced together its placement, but I could not take the chance.”

He plants a soft kiss on my lips and returns to his food.

We eat in comfortable silence, Alec devouring three times as much as I am with alarming speed. “You’re going to choke,” I laugh as he shoves half of a cold chicken breast in his mouth, cheeks bulging. I laugh again at the ridiculous sight.

“Dying has made me hungry.” He eyes my plate before grabbing my untouched chicken and eats it in two large bites.

Alec scans me head to toe before smiling wide. “You are a mess.”