A Baron of Bonds (Conduit of Light #2)

73. Karus

Chapter 73

Karus

THE AGRICOLA TRIAL

I was more careful this time, catching myself and staying upright out of the portal.

I stood in a room of dark stone, a single ball of yellow light hovering at the ceiling. In the middle of the small room stood a short table. On the short table lay a small, square porcelain pot, its feet carved into a sprawl of flourishes.

I stepped closer, inspecting the contents. A single seed lay atop three inches of soil.

I picked it up, eyeing it closely.

“A cherry tree,” I realized.

This was Revich’s faith in me. It was a cherry tree I grew the first time I showed Heimlen what I could really do with my power.

Now, it seemed Rev wanted me to grow another, but a much smaller version.

“He didn’t give you much to work with.” I heard the Blightress somewhere behind me.

Tuning her out, I pressed the seed down into the fresh soil, sending tendrils of my magic up to the light to make it grow.

The room filled in brilliant sunlight, the Simulair Solum spell held somewhere by Revich, not by me.

I closed my eyes and wrapped my hands around the small pot, pouring growth, and beauty, and new life into my power.

A stem shot from the soil, soon forming wiry branches that grew into a trunk, withered as if it was a hundred years old and flaked in a curved shape. Next were the blooms, revealing themselves as tiny, pink blossoms.

I had to watch carefully and pull my power back as it grew, adjusting the strength I gave the tree, knowing if it grew too large, the pot would shatter.

This was a trial of precision. I needed to grow this cherry tree to just the right size for the porcelain pot given to me.

The blossoms opened wide in brilliant white and pink, scenting the air, and I pulled all of my power back, just as the tiny tree, a miniature version of the one I had grown in Felgren, unfurled its last bud and the last green portal opened in front of me.

That was the easiest trial yet.

I’d passed them all.

I’d done it, proving I was a conduit for the Baron of Felgren.

I gently touched the petals, wishing I could take the tree home with me when the Blightress moved in front of the portal, inspecting the flickering green light.

“I’m leaving now. You need to move.” I stood in front of her as she faced me.

“Where do you think this leads?” she asked.

“Home. I’m going home. Now, move.” I swiped at her arm, finding only air.

So she really wasn’t there, somehow projecting herself instead.

“He lies,” she declared, refusing to move out of my way.

“I’m leaving.”

“This portal does not lead to Felgren, Karus.”

I tilted my head back and groaned. “Why are you like this? You want to see me thrive? Then leave me alone with the man I love.” I shook my head, my anger rising to the surface quickly. “You only want to tell me this, tell me that. What about what I want? You see me as yours? As a daughter? Fuck. You. I owe you nothing, and you owe me nothing. You will not take Revich’s power, you will not take over Felgren, you will not take back what you gave to me. Go sit in your white palace with your creatures and leave me alone. Leave the isle alone. Your time is finished.”

I stepped forward, ready to go through her if I had to.

Her hand shot out and grabbed my arm.

I looked down, confused. “How did you?—”

“Do. Not. Go.” Her eyes flashed in iridescence, anger pooling from her in black tendrils.

Her grip tightened, and I grabbed her hand, pulling at her fingers. “Let me go! I thought you weren’t really here!”

Her face flickered for a moment like a flame about to extinguish. “That portal leads to the B?—”

But I didn’t stick around to listen. I was done listening to her. I rushed through the portal, yanking my arm from her grip, finding my way back to my love.