Chapter 9

I crouchbehind a hedge in the Bakva garden as I process what I've just overheard. The way Annora's mother spoke to her makes my blood boil.

How can a mother treat her daughter with such callousness?

Even Lady Dinah, my stepmother, doesn't treat me with such disdain.

Annora's voice echoes in my mind, the way she tentatively asked about her silver magic. And her mother's response? It was evasive at best, cruel at worst. She dangled scraps of information and hinted at the destructive power of Annora's magic, but she offered no real insight or support.

What were the words she used? Aigis Siphoning?

When I return home, I will go to Rowena, our Muchrah, and I'll ask questions about silver magic. If anyone knows about Aigis Siphoning, it will be her.

Annora deserves someone who will stand by her side, who will help her unravel the mysteries of her magic. I want to be that person for her, to offer the support and understanding that her mother denies her.

I move away from the garden, keeping to the shadows as I navigate the familiar path I've taken before to reach the Bakva fortress and see Annora.

I arrive at the secret part of the wall, a hidden passageway one of my spies discovered. With a quick glance over my shoulder to ensure I haven't been followed, I slip inside.

The air is damp and musty, the narrow passage suffocating, but I press on, guided by the faint light of the crystal I hold in my hand.

A few minutes later, I emerge into a alley and slip the crystal back into my cloak.

Annora drifts through my thoughts as I keep to the shadows and return to the stables. It would have been nice to see her tonight, but something told me to give her space.

As I step into the stables, I find Jude sitting on a bale of hay with a piece of straw dangling from his mouth.

"How is my little brother, the stable boy, doing?" I ask as I sit opposite him.

Amusement twinkles in his eyes. "Stable boy? That's ironic coming from the man who spends more time sneaking around Bakva than in his own kingdom."

"Sneaking?" I shrug. "I prefer to think of it as strategic reconnaissance."

"Is that what we're calling it?" Jude raises an eyebrow. "I thought it was more like lovesick pining."

I toss straw at him, but he ducks. "Watch it. I'm still your chieftain."

"Apologies, oh great and powerful leader." Jude bows his head in an exaggerated gesture of respect.

"If you keep mocking me," I say, my tone full of humor, "I'll bring Aleksander with me next time."

Jude rolls his eyes. "Empty threats, brother. You and I both know he wouldn't have helped you visit a woman from House of Silver."

Very true.

I settle back against the straw and try to not think about Aleksander's reaction when I return to Sharhavva with Annora. He won't be happy.

In truth, most people in Sharhavva will not be happy, but they will have to learn to accept her.

"So, how is the strategic reconnaissance going?" Jude asks, his tone turning more serious. "Any progress with Annora?"

"Yes," I say, but I don't divulge further, and Jude doesn't ask.

He knows me well enough to know when to pry and when not to pry.

We fall into comfortable silence, and it gives me time to ponder everything I heard earlier about Annora's magic.

I reach for my hematite ring on my right index finger, touching the smooth stone. Without it, I wouldn't be able to conjure any magic. The same goes for everyone from House of Silver. Without hematite, they cannot summon their gifts.

Our forefathers were carved from the same barbarian tribe of Tarrobane. We were all Hematite then, all brought together by the same purpose, to carve out our own destiny.

Ever since I met Annora, I have thought about being Hematite more and more, and I have pictured unity between our houses.

It will take time to build, but I am ready for the challenge. Ready to be different from Jerrod.