When Es had left, one of the council mbers picked up the discarded letter from the ground. His eyes scanned the contents quickly before he passed it to the man beside him. He then turned to Emily, who was just beginning to regain her composure, his gaze stern.
"If the king finds out–"
"Should he find out that I switched the letters," Emily interrupted sharply, facing the council mbers after sending her guards away, "then prepare to share in the consequences. It would be in all of our best interest if the king never discovers the truth. Besides, everything is unfolding exactly as I intended."
She averted her gaze, her lips curling in amusent. While Esray’s public outburst hadn’t been part of her plan, the division Emily had hoped to spark had still taken root. Es had made her stance clear, and that was the fact that unity was impossible for both sides. That was all the leverage Emily needed to make her next move. The mont Lennox returned, the next phase of her plan would begin.
With composed resolve, she stepped back into the palace, retreating deeper into the palace walls. Es’s little performance might have embarrassed her in front of the court today, but she would make her pay dearly for it, along with every filthy cursed shifter she has chosen to side with. Es was certainly going to regret picking a fight with her in her own kingdom.
anwhile, back inside the carriage, Esray gently examined Revana’s injuries once more. Though her fingers were masterfully careful, her mind was elsewhere. "Orion and Atticus said they found a safe place for us to rest until nightfall. There’s clearly nothing left for us here, so we have no reason to remain in a land that wants nothing to do with us. If you’re not feeling stable enough for the journey, let know."
"Es," Revana murmured softly, interrupting her thoughts. The sound of her na was enough to still her trembling voice.
"You did the right thing back there," Revana continued, her tone steady despite the pain. "We can’t force peace on people who’ve already chosen war. What would have been a serious letdown was if you had given in to them, but you didn’t. They need to start taking you seriously. I’m a bit surprised we got away with our lives, but that has to count for sothing."
Es didn’t respond imdiately. Her gaze lingered on the dark stain spreading through the bandage, and she let out a quiet breath, nodding once. Deep down, all she could feel was failure. The lives of those people, they died for nothing, and not even the goal they ca here to achieve was t.
"I don’t know what to do anymore," Esray whispered, almost too softly to be heard. "You saw it yourself– what the true bearer is capable of. That wasn’t even him at full strength. If he returns... I’m afraid we won’t stand a chance. We don’t even know what we’re truly up against, not really."
Revana leaned her back and closed her eyes. The corners of her mouth twitched in defiance before she opened her eyes. "Don’t say that. Don’t give him that power over you. I don’t care if he’s a goddamn demon straight out of a myth. We’ll bring him down, sohow. That’s all I choose to believe. And you should too. I’m still going to get my revenge for this wound, and I’m not gonna die till I do."
Es snuck a glance at Revana, and although her expression remained unreadable, sothing about her presence gave Es a sliver of calm— just enough to anchor herself in the mont.
Her gaze drifted toward the window, and her breath hitched. Walking along the side path was Lady Clandestine, her posture unusually weary. Her expression was hollow in a way that made Es’s heart ache, and she looked like soone returning ho, but carrying the weight of a thousand unsaid things.
"Stop the carriage," Es said, maintaining a low but urgent tone. Orion obeyed without question, and he pulled the horses to a halt. Without waiting, Es climbed down and hurried toward the familiar figure.
"Aunt Clandestine," she called.
The woman simply turned, startled by the voice calling out to her. Her eyes flashed with a subtle hint of montary alarm before softening with recognition.
"Es?" She stepped closer, taking aback by her unexpected presence.
Es offered a respectful nod when she stood before her, a warm smile curling her lips. "Yes, it’s ."
Clandestine blinked at her, visibly collecting herself. "I thought you were busy up North," she said with a small, bewildered smile. "How is everyone doing? It’s been so long. Did Leo co with you?"
Es shook her head, her voice dropping slightly. "No... he didn’t. Sothing else brought here you see. Actually I saw you walking and couldn’t just pass by. I wanted to know how you’ve been doing? How is uncle Irwin doing?"
Clandestine smiled faintly. "If I said all is absolutely fine, it would be a lie. But...where are you headed? You could have co to visit first."
"I had that in mind," Es quickly explained. "I’d like to speak with uncle Irwin about soone, if it’s possible."
Upon hearing her request, a shadow passed over Clandestine’s features. Though she managed a small smile, it was tight and tinged with sorrow. Es recognized it for what it was, a smile ant to shield her grief, not hide it.
"He’s weaker than I expected," Clandestine admitted, her hand resting softly on Es’s shoulder. "His strength fades by the day. But if you still wish to see him, I’ll take you to him."
Clandestine hadn’t bothered to use a carriage today since she felt like taking a stroll and gathering herbs as usual. But after running into Es, she could not refuse the lady’s kind gesture. Nodding her head, she followed Es back to the carriage. Es introduced her to everyone else as Leonardo’s mother, and they all welcod her with respect.
When they made it to her ho, Clandestine imdiately made everyone feel welcod by drawing a bath for them. She gave them clothes to wear, seeing that they hadn’t brought any. It wasn’t that they didn’t, but most of their properties had been destroyed or either left behind when the true bearer cornered them back at the inn. While the warriors and Revana took the opportunity to rest, Esray joined Clandestine in the kitchen.
"Co with ." uttered Clandestine when she was done preparing a small bowl of dicine for her husband. She led Es down the quiet hall to a separate room. Opening the door, Es followed her inside, and her heart sank.
Irwin was resting on the bed, looking thinner than she rembered. His face was hollow and drawn, and his eyes were closed shut. He looked as though sleep barely touched him, and Es quietly approached the edge of his bed.
"He doesn’t have much ti left," Clandestine murmured, placing the tray on the nightstand. Her voice was steady, but Es noticed the slight trembling of her hands when she uttered those words. "He’ll have difficulty speaking, but I will be here to help you understand him better."
Es didn’t know what to say. She lowered herself onto the bed, her gaze falling to Irwin’s wrist. She noticed how dark his veins were, almost black, threading like poison beneath his pale skin. The sight made her shiver, and it looked eerily familiar.
Now that she thought about it, it reminded her of the dark threads the true bearer had conjured back at the inn, and of Donovan’s powers.
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