Crystal Storm (Falling Kingdoms #5)(29)
“What I need more than that, Mother, is your magic to help us find Lucia. She’s gone missing just when I need her the most.”
“So the prophecy was true,” Selia whispered. “And you didn’t tell me until now? I could have helped her as I did Sabina.”
“I chose to use tutors who didn’t know of the prophecy.”
She said nothing for a moment, then nodded sharply. “You were right to be careful with her. However, finding her current location will be a challenge. After all these years in hiding my magic has faded to a point that it’s useless to me. The answer for this too lies in Basilia. We will go there and get what we need for the next steps in our plan.” She took the king’s hands in hers, smiling. “At long last, everything is coming together. But I need you well.”
“I never knew you were a witch,” Magnus said, choosing to remain mostly silent until now, watching and listening.
Selia glanced at him. “I told very few this secret.”
“And you feel that you can restore your elementia?”
She nodded. “I haven’t had a need to do so for years, but to find my granddaughter, to acquire the magic necessary to heal my son . . . it will be worth it.”
“My father recently told me about a curse . . .” He glanced at Cleo, whose expression was bleak.
Selia’s eyes widened. “Yes, of course. The tragic curse on Elena Bellos. I’m so sorry, Cleiona, for your loss.”
Cleo nodded. “I am too. I wish I could have known my mother.”
“Of course you do. Even though my magic is weak, I can still sense this powerful curse all around you when I concentrate. I won’t say that it will be easy, but I promise to do everything in my power to break it when my magic is strengthened.”
The tight knot in Magnus’s chest finally loosened just a little. “Good.”
He saw relief in Cleo’s eyes as she nodded. “Thank you,” She said.
“What is this magic in Basilia that could help me?” Gaius asked as Selia grabbed a canvas bag and started shoving some of her belongings into it.
“Magic that once belonged to the immortals themselves,” she told him. “An object of great power that very few know exists.”
“And what object is that?” Magnus asked.
“It’s called the bloodstone. We will find it together, and when we do I am certain it will fully restore your father to his former greatness.”
“That sounds like a valuable treasure,” the king said. “One you’ve never mentioned to me before today.”
“I didn’t tell you everything I know, Gaius.”
“No. I’m quite sure you didn’t.”
Their voices became distant echoes as Magnus considered the existence of this bloodstone . . . another rock imbued with great power and magic that could allegedly heal even someone who already looked as if they had been dead and buried.
Forget his father, Magnus thought. That was magic he wanted for himself.
CHAPTER 9
AMARA
LIMEROS
Since childhood, Amara had enjoyed taking long walks in the tropical splendor of the Jewel of the Empire, relishing in its vibrant colors and warm weather, often with Ashur by her side. The kiss of sunlight gave her renewed hope when her father had been particularly cruel or her brothers Dastan and Elan ignored her very existence. In Kraeshia, no one had to wear heavy fur-lined cloaks or huddle close to fires to keep from freezing.
Yes, she missed her home desperately and longed to return there when she finally had what she’d come here for. Then she would say farewell to this frozen and unforgiving kingdom once and for all.
She turned from the main hall’s large windowpane, framed with ice crystals, which looked out at the villa’s snow-covered grounds, to regard Kurtis. He’d entered the hall to bring the daily news, and he currently kneeled before her, his arms full of papers.
“Rise and speak, Lord Kurtis,” she commanded as she moved toward her small throne.
“Preparations are under way for you to move to the Limerian palace tomorrow, your grace,” he said.
“Excellent.” Gaius had suggested the move three days earlier, before his departure, and she’d rather not stay at the villa any longer than absolutely necessary.
She strived for patience as Kurtis struggled, one-handed, to sort through his armful of papers.
“Have my men reported anything on my husband’s current whereabouts?” she asked.
He scanned a few more pieces of parchment before replying. “No, your grace. Not yet.”
“Really? Nothing at all?”
“No.” He gave her a thin smile. “But I’m sure he’d be pleased to know that his wife is so eager to have him return to her side.”
“Yes, of course.” Amara regarded him for a moment in silence, still trying to decide whether or not she’d come to value his presence over the last few days. According to Gaius—and Kurtis himself—this young man had been a worthy grand kingsliege, one who’d held command of Limeros for months before Magnus arrived and tore his power away.
Amara’s gaze drifted to the stump of Kurtis’s right arm. Despite the dressing of fresh white bandages, a blotch of blood had begun to seep through.