Tangled webs of political planning and intrigue were not for him. He’d trained to be a soldier, a fighter. He was at his most comfortable with a weapon in his hand and striding into battle. Even in the midst of all the chaos, he was calm and collected. Then he could see steps ahead and strategies.
Directing his gaze up at the stone, Eno let the silence of the room sink into him. The green of the Godstone was calm in a way, almost like the new spring leaves shivering in a breeze. Maybe that was why Caelan came to this room so frequently. Not to puzzle out the riddle of what the Godstone truly was and how it linked to his destiny, but just to find a kind of mental peace in his increasingly busy and complicated life.
Eno’s only focus needed to be on keeping Caelan safe. They would travel to Caspagir, speak with the queen and her advisors there, and safely return to Erya. The Empire would not stop them. And if Eno had his way, not even the gods would interfere with getting Caelan safely home again.
The soft swish of fabric drew Eno from his thoughts, and he turned around in time to see the lovely Queen Amara stride into the room. Her face was expressionless except for a slight lift to her right eyebrow as if she were questioning his appearance in this most private and sacred room.
Eno bowed low to the queen, his tongue temporarily tied at being caught in the Godstone room. “Forgive me, Your Majesty,” he choked out. With his eyes locked on the floor, he watched the hem of her long skirts sway past him as they slipped across the marble. It was interesting that he couldn’t hear her footsteps. Was she barefoot? Wearing only socks? Certainly she couldn’t move so silently in hard-soled shoes.
When she was completely past him and standing in front of the stone, Eno reluctantly straightened. He hesitated for a moment. She hadn’t spoken to him or even acknowledged him, really. It would be best if he just slipped quietly away.
“Did you come here seeking protection from the gods? Or to think about the road that lies ahead?” the queen inquired in a somewhat cold, emotionless voice as Eno tried to retreat.
“I…I don’t know what kind of protection or blessing the gods might be willing to offer us. I think I came here mostly to figure out what I needed to do to make this journey a success,” Eno replied, trying hard not to stammer. He’d never spoken to the queen before. He’d never even been alone with her. The few times he’d been in her presence, he’d been with Caelan.
“It’s been my experience that it’s best to plan with the idea that you’re on your own. If the gods decide to interfere, you simply pray they won’t hinder your plans.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Eno watched as she stood directly in front of the stone, far closer than Caelan had ever dared to get. She stared up at it, her brow furrowed as if she were trying to divine some glimpse of the future from the crystalline depths, but Eno wasn’t sure if she saw anything helpful.
Minutes ticked by, and she didn’t say another word to him. He wasn’t sure she was aware he was in the room with her. She was lost in thought, much like her son would become. Eno settled into a comfortable parade-rest stance with his hands behind his back and his legs slightly spread. If she wanted him to leave, she would tell him. For now, he would wait on the queen’s pleasure.
To his shock, Amara touched the stone. No, she didn’t simply touch it. She placed the flat of her palm against the smooth surface and stroked the stone. Eno blinked and blinked again. From within the darkest depths, he swore he saw movement. But that couldn’t be. The stone was solid. The stone…well, he didn’t know what the hell the stone was, but that couldn’t have been movement. Just a shadow. A trick of the light.
“My son is going to need you greatly on this journey,” Amara suddenly proclaimed, jerking Eno from his rambling thoughts about stone shadows.
“I will happily give my life to protect Prince Caelan,” Eno said with a deep bow of his head. When he lifted his eyes to her, he caught a slight shake of her head.
“It’s far more than protection. He needs guidance, from both you and Rayne.” With one last glance up at the stone, she turned partially to gaze over her shoulder at Eno. “Rayne has a brilliant mind and is a strong strategist. He will help Caelan understand all that is at stake and plan accordingly, but Caelan is impulsive. He is prone to letting his heart and anger lead him to rash and dangerous decisions. He will need you and Rayne to help him find a balance.”