“Druidry, mana, witchcraft, and siphoning are various types of magic existing throughout the Nine Realms. Of those, druids, mana users, and witches are the ones who can construct a dreamscape. Hecate merely altered the history to make others think only witchcraft remained inside of the realms. I constructed what I did by using mana. Mana comes from the land and nature. It is weaker than what Hecate uses, as it can only be comparable to white magic. But what I showed you, that was my home before Hecate invaded, leaving a once beautiful, fiery realm nothing more than a cemetery.”
“I wish I could’ve seen it before she’d left it in ruins,” I muttered, shame heating my cheeks. The very fact that I had her blood in my veins used to be something I was proud of, but not anymore.
“If I could make your wish a reality, I’d do so. Our kingdom’s the oldest of all the realms.” The wonderment in his tone forced a twist of jealousy. I’d have given anything to see it in all its fiery beauty.
“I want to understand how you crafted a dreamscape. They taught me that only witches wielded enough power to create one and bring another’s slumbering mind and awareness into it.”
“Magic doesn’t solely belong to witches, daughter. You know that already. But then, you are living proof of that, aren’t you? Hecate uses reserves of power, but you use the magic fed to you by the realms.”
I contemplated his words, nodding slowly. What he said made sense. Even if I didn’t know precisely how I was connected to the Nine Realms or why it gave me its power, I knew it did.
“Why is it the realm fuels the magic or mana inside of me?” I asked, to see if he’d give me the answer without seeking shackles to hold me here. Turbulent, blue eyes clashed with mine before his lip twitched. A vice clenched around my heart as my hope of Griffon wanting me for me, diminished. I’d always wanted to know how I’d been able to yank magic to me from the realms. I hadn’t cast like the other girls.
“Mana, daughter. The land chooses those worthy of wielding its mana. As it has chosen to give you an endless supply to wield against your enemies. Those shields you raise? They’re something only a few witches can actually craft, but something you do effortlessly. You also use alchemy, sorcery, enchantments and incantations, along with witchcraft. A balance of power is inside every universe, and it is that balance that strictly forbids the ability of one entity from wielding both mana and witchcraft. No one else has ever held the ability to house two sources of magic.” A frown tugged at my lips and pinched the skin between my eyes until it creased. “At least, until you were born. Eva disclosed that she felt you wielding both a few times.” His explanation cleared the confusion.
“And if I were to tell you that, I’ve witnessed the use of a magic-wielder also channeling mana?” Because Knox had siphoned mine. He’d carried it out without effort, which had been terrifying the first few times he’d done so.
“First, I’d say it’s a new world, with new creatures appearing.” Griffin hesitated, then exhaled slowly before asking the next question he’d struggled with. “Aden tells me you’ve mated your dragon king?” Unhappiness seeped into Griffon’s tone. When I failed to respond one way or the other, he continued. “Second, I’d tell you that mates sometimes are able to access the mana stored in the well existing in their significant other, but mostly through the connection shared. Though, none had ever held their own magic before they’d accomplished such a feat.”
“You’re saying that since I mated Knox, the land now sees him as a part of me?”
Griffon’s eyes sparkled with pride at my deduction. “Indeed. Tirsynth, my father, was not blessed with magic, but he was able to draw mana, which was stored inside his mate. It’s likely why King Karnavious forced you to the altar, ensuring it trapped you in marriage.” My lips parted to argue his statement, but he held up his palms in mock surrender. “Those were his objectives, Aria. Regardless of how they may have changed, King Karnavious bound you to his side for the power you house.”
I couldn’t argue it, not when what Griffon had stated was fact. Facts didn’t care about feelings, and if I were going to keep an open mind about his role in my life, I needed to leave my feelings out of it for now.
“How is it he allowed the council that he, himself, had elected to annul your marriage vows?” He was fishing for information, but why? I made them promise that we would not be coerced into anything without our consent. Knox had warned me of how na?ve it sounded, but I’d be damned if anyone forced me to do anything.
“If you want to know something, Griffon, ask the question. My time is entirely too short to spend it skirting around what you’d like to know about me.” The truth was harsh but undeniable. I didn’t have time to waste on dancing around indirectly asked questions.
“Eva and Aden both warned me of your bluntness. I must admit, it’s rather refreshing. Not only do you look like my mother, but you also have her curt response to bullshit.” I hadn’t expected his reply, which left me wondering what she had looked like and what her true nature was. “Do you love your dragon?”
‘Unequivocally’ was what my response should’ve been. It wasn’t a straightforward answer, though. Knox and I had made strides in our relationship, but I didn’t know if he loved me. Love wasn’t something he’d readily relinquish of himself, not after what he’d been through, but maybe he’d get there one day. As for me, that information was exactly none of Griffon’s business.
“Love can be fleeting and often gets destroyed or becomes a casualty during war. Considering we’re preparing to engage in a war, Griffon, I didn’t demand a vow of undying love from him. If what you really wish to know is if I’d consider mating another, the answer is no. I don’t want, nor do I need another mate. Love is also an emotion, which is conflicting and draining most days.” The crooked smile that sliced across his lips told me he knew I was full of shit. “Why would it matter?”
“Because one day you will be a queen, Aria. You need no throne nor crown to be one. The moment you drew air into your lungs and the land fed you its power, was the moment it chose you to lead its revolution as one. The land chose my mother, Scylla Prometheus, to rule the Nine Realms. Like she once did, you’ll control the power of the land.”
“What if I’m already a queen?” I asked, wondering if he’d allow me to hold the title still. Obviously I could take it, but that would be another battle, which I didn’t want.
“Of Norvalla?” His eyes slid to mine, even as we continued forward. An uneasy tension clung heavily in the surrounding air, as if it were loaded with upheaval at my words.
“Maybe, I’ve not decided if I intend to fully forgive him yet, or not. It depends on why he’d want the marriage. If it were merely for political gain, or to otherwise use me, then I wouldn’t. Knox needs to ask me, and he’d have to want me and nothing else.”
“King Karnavious forced you to wed him, he knew what you’d become. He’d seen you using your magic against a keep, which foretold just how powerful you’d eventually become. He may not have known you held the same power as my mother held, but he had to have suspected it was close to what she wielded. Did he not? Maybe not in its entirety, but he had to have known whose blood ran through your veins. He married you, then allowed his private council, hand-selected by none other than himself, to be guided by your mother. A woman who had no right to you, or the throne she seeks to implant her tiresome ass into.”