Page 14 of Savage Crown
Kaelric stared up at me with something like awe.
“I love your loyalty.”
The words hit me like a blow. I sat again, heart twisting. “Then help me get your aunt back.”
His expression hardened. “Tell my mother the king has Mind Render.”
I frowned.Mind Render?What was that?
‘Oh no,’Val whispered.‘How did he get it?’
‘What is Mind Render?’I asked.
‘It’s a weapon from the Arcane Trials a couple of hundred years ago. It’s second in power to the power I hold. But its power is not of the Creator, it’s of the darkness.’
Fantastic.
“How did he get it?” I repeated aloud.
“Likely killed its wielder and proved himself enough to bond with it. I don’t know.”
Second only to Valkaryn. That was something.
“Alright. Not great news, but Val says Mind Render is second to her. So I can defeat him.” I nodded confidently.
Kaelric peered at the blade in my hand. “My grandfather called her Val.” There was a softness in his tone, like with all the stress of war that he had going on right now, he really just wanted his mother.
“I heard from Godric.” My tone softened, too.
‘I love your confidence, Brynn. It’s a strong quality, but unfortunately, your human vessel weakens my power against someone like Harrow. Especially if he’s wielding Mind Render.’
My face fell.
“What did she say?” Kaelric asked. He could read me too well.
“My being human seems to be a problem for everyone. You, her.”
His face looked haunted, and suddenly he stood so that we were only inches apart. “Brynn, I…” Pain crossed his face so sharply that I scanned his body to look for an open wound. “Your humanness isn’t a problem for me.”
“You said it was. You said we could never be fully together because of the curse.”
He nodded, slowly. “That’s true. We can’t be. But I’d have still worshipped the ground you walked on, made sure your bellywas full every night before you went to bed.” He stepped closer so that my stomach was touching his. “I’d have lived my whole life in love with you, without ever really being fully intimate, if you hadn’t betrayed me so deeply.”
His face contorted in pain. I sucked in a breath, feeling a physical blow in my chest.
‘Tell him it was me. Blame me!’ Val said.
He already knew. He knew it had been her plan. But I had agreed. I had risked everything.
“I told you she was the one thing I needed,” he said. “I knew your human body would not carry her full strength. I knew you would not survive a fight against Harrow. And still you betrayed me.” He stepped back, shaking his head.
The words struck hard.
I gripped Valkaryn’s hilt and shoved her back into the scabbard, lifting my chin, blinking away the sting in my eyes.
“I am sorry your fragile male pride cannot handle the truth, that you were not worthy to wield her. I am sorry your mother chose me and not you. I am sorry I risked everything for you and your people.” My voice rose. “I gave up the chance to give my entire family magic. For you. A mistake I regret.”
He flinched.
