Even the ancient symbols etched into the wall beside them, detailing the age-old Charmers’ prophecy, seemed to throb with power.
Yazmin sat in her throne, thick platinum hair tied in a fishtail braid with wisps framing her face. She wore a flowy chiffon gown the color of eggshells, with soft-pink flowers stitched into the fabric. Face dipped toward a handful of parchment, she didn’t notice my entrance.
I cleared my throat. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
She looked up, startled, then smiled. “Leena. Gaige said you were here.” Her hand fell back to the pile of parchment in her lap. Inked handwriting filled the pages from top to bottom, and her fingers lightly danced across the lines.
“I can come back later if you’re busy.”
“What, this?” She held up the pages before smiling and rolling them into a tight cylinder. “Just Gaige’s report from his recent trip to Wilheim. Our relations with the king are still new, only about a decade old. While I have no desire to mingle with them, it never hurts to know about what’s happening outside our sanctuary. But enough about politics.” Standing, she secured the roll by slipping it between her hip and loose rose-gold belt. “We must discuss Noc’s predicament.”
A trill of excitement sped through me. “You found the culprit?”
She grimaced. “Unfortunately, no. Walk with me.” Taking the few steps down from the dais, she veered toward the open courtyard. “Gaige told me he’s getting worse.”
“He is.” I fell in line beside her, and we came upon an outdoor staircase that spiraled up a monstrous oak and connected to the side of the castle. The steps were wide enough for several people to stand comfortably, and we began to ascend together.
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” She reached over and placed a soft hand against my back. “We’re searching night and day for the Charmer responsible.”
Her expression was tight as she studied each step before her, chin tucked to her chest. I was sure it pained her to know that one of her own was out there, deliberately defying the Crown’s pardon on my life. Her hand fell from my back, and she let it drop to her side.
And yet, years of distrust, of not knowing whether or not I’d ever be able to call Hireath home again, kept me from immediately grabbing her hand and offering comfort. She hadn’t been involved in the trial that led to my exile, but at least for now, we were working toward the same goal—my bounty absolved so Noc could be free of the oath. “I know you’re trying, and I want to help.”
Yazmin tilted her head to the side, brows inching together. “How?”
A young boy rushed passed us with a Groober tucked beneath his arm. He giggled, and a hint of valerian and lavender perfumed the air from the tight squeeze he gave his beast. That scent, the boy and his beast, the Charmers going about their day throughout the city—they gave me hope. Perhaps not everyone here was bad. There was the culprit, sure, but that was just one person.
It wasn’t always just one. I fought back a shiver as the memory of Wynn drew to the forefront of my mind. But he was gone. Dead. He’d never hurt me again. And right now, the only thing that mattered was protecting the man I loved. If I had a way to help Noc through this, then I’d do it. No matter the cost.
“I’d like to formally accept your offer to join the Council.”
She came to a full stop on one of the stairs, forcing a few disgruntled Charmers to part around us. “Really? We’d of course be honored to have you. But I know Cruor is your home now.”
Home. My home was with Noc, with my family. If that happened to be in Cruor, then that’s where I belonged. But that didn’t mean I had to give up the part of me that loved Hireath. I would do anything to keep this city, and its people, from harm.
We started up the stairs again as I found my words. “I want to do this. If I can help you find the Charmer responsible for my bounty, if I can save Noc, then I’m protecting my home—both this one and the one at Cruor.”
“Of course. We wouldn’t force you to choose between Hireath and Cruor, though you would need to spend some time here to give the public a chance to become acquainted with you as a member of the Council.”