The hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stood on end.
Micah’s eyes narrowed out the window, submitting to the unnerving sensation and wondering at the cause. Just down the train’s corridor, Josiah interacted with a few military men. Though they were unnaturally smitten with the Igni king, Josiah wasn’t doing anything to warrant Micah’s current feelings of unease and disquiet.
Which was actually quite astounding in itself.
He rotated on the bench, throwing an arm across the back of the bench and facing Josiah. Alternating between admiring the passing scenery and watching Josiah, he pondered on the restlessness in the air.
It felt as if something shifted, as if things were revolving the wrong direction.
“I’ve been told you have trouble conjuring your Element.”
His unease certainly wasn’t attributed to Calder’s royal guard who decided to sidle next to Micah on the cushioned bench. He offe
“Sachiel.”“Seaton.”Thanking the server for the tumbler of whiskey, Sachiel closed in on the current head of the Edlen family. It was an unideal environment to face the man, for the eyes of several noblemen and noblewomen followed his movements with fine-tuned skepticism and prejudice.He hadn’t faced this level of ridicule since his late wife’s passing.Apparently, a decorated warrior no longer held significance in this society.Today, gaudy decorations adorned the Edlen mansion for a birthday celebration. Sachiel couldn’t quite remember which Edlen was turning another year older. A young one on the cusp of adulthood, he assumed, judging from the lack of children present and the addition of young adults—a bit younger than Kai’s age—that were present.He’d received the invitation with its engraved calligraphy and heavy stock paper. After Seaton’s continued
“You support his existence.”The young boy remained facing away from him.Innocent and juvenile hums escaped the young boy’s throat as he carefully arranged a basket of wildflowers. His dark, small fingers curled around the thin stems and entwined them elaborately around one another. Thick lashes pressed against his plump, healthy cheeks as he paid singular attention on his creation, not at all concerned with Dushyanta standing at his unprotected back.And why should he be concerned?The Earth Goddess would easily conquer Dushyanta.“I consider your failure to be an act of betrayal,” Dushyanta pressed heatedly. “Certainly you realize just what he is.”The hums gradually came to a stop. “As I told Agni and young Ezra,” the boy started softly, “I have my assumptions. Nothing is concrete, and nothing should be concrete for you and the others either.”“He raised a God
Breathing never seemed so complicated.Pressing his eyes closed, Micah attempted to concentrate only on inhaling and exhaling. Under his eyelids, he envisioned ice. He willed it. Wanted to force it. It shouldn’t be so challenging to conjureicewhen it washisElement!A finger pressed between his eyebrows. “You’re too angry to conjure.”Micah opened his eyes, spying Josiah sitting across from him. “I’m not angry.”It had been days. Days upon days of being train-bound. Unnerved by his interaction with Josiah and Prithvi at the Terra Kingdom, Micah kept to himself for the long trip to the Eurus Empire.Books preoccupied him most often. Meditating came second. He only escaped his personal quarters when it was time to eat. Usually, he got by without lunch. As such, he only encountered the royal guards and Josiah during breakfast and dinner before retreating to his compartm
“You are a naïve and ignorant fool.”Micah did not give Conway Edlen the satisfaction of turning around.Dinner had been a strained event. Josiah hadn’t said a word all evening and the royal guards were just as silent. They’d eaten alone at the dining hall, their clinking utensils the only sound that transpired between the group.Micah had sensed the air of frustration and disappointment. He recognized and acknowledged he’d overstepped by speaking about the Noir Users in such a reformist way, especially considering Calder had sent him on this tour to slap the wrists of the kingdoms who allowed such leeway with sorcery.He’d gone completely against Concordia’s principles.Another political misstep, yes, but he was not going to cower.His proposition was new. A budding, nearly intangible taste of an idea that could grow into something impressively beneficial for everyone involved. He just needed t
“The Eurus Empire proclaims the attack on Concordia’s royal prince was a result of a domestic extremist group,” Josiah spoke to Micah’s barely conscious form.“They apologized profusely. Healed you and replenished your lost blood, while simultaneously attempting their best with Captain Edlen’s several fractured bones. They then sent us on our way with armed guards and gifts for Calder. A flimsy and futile hope that the king will somehow overlook the attack on his heir. Calder will only use this as future leverage.”Micah’s unconsciousness slipped from his grasp at Agni’s words.His awareness thrummed and wavered, but eventually sharpened and persevered. Gifts for Calder, Micah mused in his mind.Perhaps they were similar to Calder’s gifts to the Eurus Empire.Packaged in coffins.Micah kept his eyes closed as he responded to the man sitting at his bedside. “The rulers of all t
Neutral tans and golds decorated the council chambers. Micah found little to appreciate in the neutral wash with the exception of the large table. Wide, rustic planks made up the table top, polished and gleaming with deep cherry undertones.It was handsome.It was also the focus of his attention during the tedious summit.On one side, six Unda councilmembers sat with the Igni members directly across from them. Naturally, Calder occupied the head of the table with Josiah sitting at the other end. Micah, on the other hand, sat on Josiah’s right. He assumed, once he had his coronation, he’d take Josiah’s place at the head.For now, he was content being invisible.Better to observe others this way.So far, he’d made eye contact with Sachiel long enough to know the man wanted to speak with him privately after the meeting. Hopefully, he had good news regarding Kai.Cain’s mother—Cordelia Abital—also nodded her greeting.Seeing her reminded Micah of his team and it made him yearn to see them
“I need to speak with him.”It was too early in the morning for an unfamiliar voice to resonate so loudly from the corridor. Dressed and groomed for the day, Micah exited his quarters quietly, assessing the situation through weary eyes.“You need to make an appointment like everyone else,” one of the guards exclaimed, blocking Micah’s line of sight. “Lingering outside His Royal Highness’ personal quarters is an extreme lapse in protocol. You should know this.”Micah gazed past the wall of royal guards, catching the eyes of a young Unda female.She perked up. “Your Highness, I need to speak with you!”“You can make an appointment,” he said unemotionally.He began walking down the corridor, surrounded once again by Josiah’s guards. After the conversation with Cordelia and Sachiel yesterday, Micah had little patience for further politics, especially so early in the morning.Especially with haughty, young aristocrats.“Kai would be disappointed if you put rigid protocols before his well b
In the end, Haken proved remarkably resourceful.Micah had grossly underestimated him—a mere Healer—who claimed himself capable of combat with an Element he’d never used to cause harm. The same young man desperate enough to appear confident for the sole purpose of impressing his reluctant Chosen.He had certainly delivered.As soon as the guards advanced outside Micah’s quarters, Haken adopted an air of cool professionalism despite Micah readying his stance for confrontation.The words that had spewed from the Healer’s mouth were both confident and authoritative as he explained a fabricated ailment that seemingly inflicted Micah. He had explained, being as they were Chosen, Micah and Josiah possessed an intuition when the other wasn’t feeling well. Considering Micah’s ailing state, he knew Josiah needed prompt attention.Prompt attention—immediately.It was in the guards’ best interest to allow them passageway to Josiah’s quarters. While the guards obliged, albeit in a state of confus