Page 28 of The Last Syphon

CHAPTER SIX

“Ineed a minute to say goodbye.”

The Crowned Prince considered it. After a few seconds, he simply inclined his head.

Ignoring the discomfort vibrating from Fraener’s soul, Inara climbed down, placing her feet back onto the ground.

“You do not have to do this, Inara,” Venerable Cias said. “I can still try to talk to the Prince. We have history. I can try to negotiate on your behalf⁠—”

“I think we both know that would be pointless.” His words gave her pause. “What kind of history do you guys have? You never speak about your life before arriving in Deadhaven.”

“And I never shall. Who I was before does not matter. That man is more dangerous than you know.”

Yeah. That just made her even more curious. Who the Fates was he before?

Venerable Cias looked towards the sky, eyes troubled. Sighing heavily, as if coming to some sort of decision he wasn’t all too happy with, he said, “I shall accompany you.”

“What?”

“Arelia is a dangerous place, filled with enemies who do not look like enemies. I cannot let you go alone.”

“She won’t be alone.” Felix stepped forward. “I’ll go with her.”

Inara shook her head. “No. No. Felix⁠—”

“Shut up, Inara. I’m coming.” She knew that voice. It was his I’m not fucking around voice—a voice he hardly ever used. So when he did use it, it held more power, more meaning. There would be no changing his mind.

Venerable Cias scrutinised the retreating army. The Crowned Prince, his dragon, and the woman on its back were the only ones to remain. His hand gilded over his dragon’s blue-black shimmering scales. Although his face remained hard and focused, there was a touch of affection shining through his eyes that he could not conceal.

The woman with the cape still sat comfortably on the dragon’s back. Inara had her suspicions about who she could be, but she would have to wait to confirm them.

“I should still accompany you.” Venerable Cias tried to argue. “Neither of you has been to the palace. You won’t know who to be wary of.”

Inara thought back on something he’d said the day before. “Everyone?”

His eyes narrowed. “Lucky guess.”

It wasn’t really a guess, since it was all the old man could say about the Arelian Kingdom. “You have to stay here. With Felix and me gone, it will be up to you to keep Deadhaven going.”

He scoffed. “They will not listen to me.”

“So you make them listen.” She gripped him, almost painfully, her nails digging into his skin. “You make them listen, you hear me? Without someone to follow, the village will fall back into chaos. Gideon is due in three days’ time to replenish the stream. We are short on payment. Everyone needs to contribute to cover the difference. If they fight you on it, simply remind them that if they do not pay up, there is no water. They will die. There’s enough food in storage to last a few weeks. That could possibly be stretched to a month if people ration. I’ll try to return before then with more gold⁠—”

“Inara.” His strong, calming tone cut her rambling off. “Be calm. I will handle it. I will handle everything. You must focus all of your energy on keeping a clear head, especially when travelling into the heart of Arelia. Do not worry about the village. I will keep everything in check.”

She truly hoped so. They might piss each other off all the time. Steal each other’s crap and pick fights over the smallest, most inconsequential things, but they were a community. A family.

When Inara had been sick one winter, every single resident in Deadhaven stopped by her home to deliver warm soup or more blankets, even if they needed it for themselves. When a group of men had passed through the village and harassed her, refusing to take no for a fucking answer, they rallied behind her to kick them out of Deadhaven. Every single person had a hand in raising her when her mother would travel. Took turns letting her and Felix stay in their homes for the night so they wouldn’t be alone. She cared for them. Loved them. Just wanted to protect them. And in their own messed-up sort of way, they felt the same about her.

Inara hugged Venerable Cias. “Thank you.”

He stiffened, freezing for a moment before patting her back awkwardly, returning her affections. “Watch yourself, girl. The palace is one of the most dangerous places in all the realm. Do not trust anyone.” His gaze sliced to the tall, brooding, cold-hearted man still patting his dragon. “Especially the Crowned Prince. Steer clear of him as much as you can.”

His warning was ominous and sent a cold chill running down her spine. “Trust me, I will avoid that asshole as much as I can.” She could count the number of people she trusted on one hand.

His voice lowered. “The palace librarium is located in the east wing. Go there. There is a section at the back on magical abilities. Specifically Shielders. You must learn everything you can. You are legions behind those in Arelia in terms of the fundamentals, but you’re a fast learner. You can catch up. There is much you do not know about the limitations of your power or where they come from.”

Limitations? She had yet to encounter any.