Page 182 of Carving Shadows into Gold
I put a hand over my chest, because there’s a note in his voice that reminds me of everything he said. It reminds me of that moment in the hallway.
Callyn. Are you well?
It chases back my tears, just a little. I hate how desperately I want to hear that note in his voice again. To know he cares.
I look over my shoulder. “Alek?” I whisper.
“It was real,” he says softly, and for a flicker of time, I see betrayal in his eyes. I see regret. Then it’s smoothed over, and his expression is as cold as ever. “But I know what you did. I know what you are.” His eyes bore into mine. “I know the secrets you’ve kept. As I said, I am merciful and fair, and I don’t want any harm to come to you or your sister. But if magic remains in the palace, it will.”
I swallow. This is worse than a slap. It’s a punch to the gut.
“You don’t know anything,” I snap.
“I do.” He draws close, his blue eyes piercing. “So find a way to leave Syhl Shallow, or I will tell the queen.”
I raise my chin. “What if I tell her myself?”
“She will drive you out the way she drove her husband out.”
“No. She won’t.”
His eyebrows go up. “Are you implying the queen is still harboring magic in the palace, Callyn? That she is lying to her people?”
“No!”
“Don’t you realize that if magic remains,” he says, “those scravers will return?”
My heartbeat stutters in my chest. “The scravers are gone,” I say. “The king’s magic chased them away.”
Alek’s gaze narrows. “I think we both know it was more than the king’s magic that chased them away. Just as it was more than the king’s magic that drew them here.”
“The king is gone,” I say. “The queen is safe.”
“Shewill besafe,” he says. “You know my loyalty is to the queen. Again, I would not have harm come to you or your sister . . . ?but if you force my hand, I will.”
“What are you telling me, Alek?”
“I am telling you to leave Syhl Shallow.” Again, just for a moment, that flicker of regret and betrayal flashes through his eyes. He blinks and it’s gone. “Leave, or I will rally my supporters, and we will get rid of the magic ourselves.”
With that, he turns his back, and I’m alone.
