Eldaren steps nearer, and with a shiver, I realize he’s only a couple of feet away from me. He’s way taller than me. Stars, he positively looms.
“If the ancient historical texts I’ve read have any truth to them, you wield far more power than you know.” He holds a hand out. “Will you trust me, Sophia?”
Sophia. He remembers my name. Bren only mentioned it once in the elf’s presence.
Before I can think good and hard about it, I find my hand is already in his. My skin prickles when his fingers close around mine. “Yes,” I say.
20
Sophia
Be careful. Eema’s voice rumbles through the earth beneath my feet, into my mind. The prince will use you. He wants to help, but he holds his ambitions above all else. After a moment, she speaks again, her tone musing. Almost above all else. He loves my little spark.
What little spark? I ask, but then she’s gone again. Stars, if she were a human mother, the Watcher would have given her a harsh talking-to. Eema comes and goes as she pleases and isn’t the best conversationalist. I can’t exactly blame her, though. Eema isn’t human, after all.
Eldaren smiles, and I forget everything else. For the love of the sky, he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. “Let us return to my fortress,” he says. “We can come up with a plan there.”
“What? No!” I yank my hand free. Or I try to, and almost dislocate my arm in the process.
Eldaren must have realized what I was trying to do, and after a moment, releases my hand. “You must,” he says calmly. “I can better protect you there. You may very well be the only gaia who is currently living. And so, you must be kept safe.”
“I’m already protected,” I say. “And there’s no way I’m leaving without telling Mother. She’ll have a fit if I just up and leave. Plus, my connection with Eema is here. The island. I can’t just leave.”
Eldaren studies me, his face expressionless. “I see,” he says at last. “It’s not just Stella who is sentimental. Very well, take me to your mother.”
My stomach drops. “Who’s Stella?”
Eldaren blushes and coughs into his fist. “Oh, just an acquaintance of mine. Forget it. It doesn’t matter.”
And just like that, stupid hope rises like a blazing phoenix. I don’t even know the man, and I’m already half in love with him. Isn’t this how it works in fairy tales, though? Love at first—or rather, second—sight?
I gesture over his shoulder. “My home is that way. My current home, anyway.”
“You’re a Drifter?” he says, with just the faintest hint of surprise in his voice.
I wrinkle my nose. “Ew, no. I sometimes alternate between different Keeps, depending on where I’m needed, but I’m not homeless.”
“Ah.” Eldaren nods. “Very well. Lead the way.”
I walk past him, and he follows. I regret that I pulled my hand out of his. He’s made no move to take it again, which is incredibly disappointing.
“You need to meet my mother,” I say. “She is the Watcher and spiritual leader of our clan. She will want to speak with you.”
“A woman rules your people?”
I eye him over my shoulder. His face is impassive. “Yes,” I say. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“No,” Eldaren says, “it’s just very uncommon for humans to be ruled by a female. You’re a very male-dominated species.”
“Oh. Well. The Shore Watch isn’t stupid like that.” I scowl as we walk toward home. If Mother had taught me anything, it’s that as a woman, I was every bit as strong as a man, spiritually.
I shiver, remembering the feel of his hand. He was definitely stronger, and I don’t mind that one bit.
“The Central Clan House is just up ahead,” I say, pointing. “If we go down this path, we’ll—”
“Stop.” Eldaren’s voice halts me as if with invisible threads. “We can’t leave without Stella.”
I pause.
“Stella,” Eldaren says again, but he’s raised his voice as if calling someone. “I am here. All is well.”
I wait and soon hear the rustle of vegetation as a young woman steps into view.
My eyes narrow.
She’s short but still taller than me—it feels like everyone is taller than me—with long dark blonde hair and blue eyes. She’s looking at me with open curiosity.
“We are going to meet the leader of the clan,” Eldaren says to her. He points at me. “I found the gaia.”
“Really? I couldn’t tell,” Stella says, batting her eyelashes.
Eldaren’s brow furrows. “But, I . . . just told you.”
“I was being sarcastic,” Stella says, smiling ruefully.
“Oh.” Eldaren nods. “Well then, let us go.” He turns onto the main path, apparently already knowing the way to the Keep. Stella and I fall into step behind him.
Stella eyes me. “Hi,” she says, holding out her hand. “My name is Stella. I’m from Liberty.”
“Hey.” I ignore her hand, and she lets it fall. “Are you one of the magic users, then?”
Stella shakes her head. “No,” she says, and I don’t miss the wistful regret. “I’m just a regular person.”
“That sucks for you,” I say.
“Uh . . . yeah,” she says. “Magic is kind of a nice thing to have these days, it seems.”
“Sure is,” I say. “So why are you here if you don’t have magic?”
“Oh.” Stella bites her lower lip. “It’s kinda a long story.”
I bet it is. I don’t know this woman, but I can’t help but feel that there’s some kind of connection between her and Eldaren and I don’t like that one bit.
I eye the elf walking ahead of us. He’s clearly not listening, his head swiveling as he takes in our surroundings. When he halts, we do too.
“There are two guards up ahead,” he says. “I don’t want to frighten them.”
I eye the trail. I
