Elien;

"For me?" I repeat, slower—wondering how she knows this, and she nods once.

"I can feel it. Whatever this is—it’s focused. And after tonight..." Her lips press together briefly before she speaks the next words.

"I realise that it’s closing in faster than I thought." She concludes.

My mind drifts over everything that’s happened so far. The visions... the unease... The voice...

She’s right. He is closing in,

I don’t like how easily that fact settles. But it’s true. And even Asa can sense it.

"Asa," I say, more carefully now, "you’re sure about this?"

"Yes." She answers without a doubt, and that’s what makes it worse.

We both stare at each other in shaken silence for a few seconds, and then she huffs a breath before reaching into her apron’s pocket and pulling something out.

My eyes narrow as I try to make out what it is.

It’s... medium-sized... and purple in colour.

She holds it out to me like a toddler about to proudly show something off, and my brow arches when I realise that it’s an earring.

I look back up at her and find a blank expression on her dark, flawless face.

"...You dragged me into a corner for jewellery?" I ask in amusement, but her expression doesn’t shift.

"This is not jewellery." She says, and I pause.

Did I see wrong? I look at it again, and my lip thins as I look back up at her.

"...It’s still an earring." I point out, and she sighs.

"It’s a charm." She corrects, and this time, my brows knot.

"...A charm??" I question, and she lifts her hand, brushing her hair aside to reveal her ear.

She’s wearing the other earring.

"My father made these," she says, and I notice how her tone changes when she says that.

"He was stronger than I am," she continues. "Much stronger... He wove his magic into these. They aren’t ordinary earrings. They are protective charms." She says, and I straighten slightly.

I stare back down at the eraing still in her outstretched arm, and blink as my fingers involuntarily move to the pendant Queen Selthia gave me.

"These earrings were designed to ward off targeted magic," Asa continues, and I look back up at her.

"Anything aimed directly at the wearer of these earrings... Any native thing that tries to reach them specifically... will be warded off." She explains, and my fingers twitch faintly at my sides.

That... sounds very powerful.

"You need to wear it," she suddenly adds, and my eyes widen.

She takes a step toward me, and I instantly press myself against the wall behind me.

There’s no way I’m taking it!! I shake my head, and she pauses.

"No," I say, and her brows draw together slightly.

"No?" she repeats.

"No," I echo, and her mouth falls open.

"You said your father made them. He gave them to you. That means they matter. I’m not taking something like that from you." I retort, and she rolls her eyes.

"I still have one," she replies, and I cut in immediately.

"That’s not the point—"

"It is the point!" She whispers harshly, and I fall silent.

"Look. I still have the other ear. One works just fine. But I need you to take this, Elian. It’s the only way I can know you’re safe. It’s stronger than anything I could conjure." She says, and I go still.

She sees the reluctance still on my face, and she lets out a breath as she steps closer and takes my hands in hers.

"Look here, Elian. You made me your baby’s godmother. Allow me to fulfil my duty. If anything happens to you, or the baby... I won’t forgive myself for not being there. Don’t... don’t let me lose another child. Please, Elian..." She whispers, and that stops me.

Completely.

The heaviness of the words settles between us, and I realise it was a lot for her to say. I can’t drag this out any longer.

I narrow my eyes slightly at her and pout.

"That was low," I jab.

"That was necessary," she replies calmly, and I let out a slow breath, dragging a hand over my face.

"You don’t fight fair." I point out, and she gives me a small smile.

"Life didn’t teach me to." She replies, and we both fall silent.

She watches me for a moment, then softens just slightly... not in her stance, not in her voice, but in the way she looks at me.

"This is how I protect the baby... And you." She adds, and every bit of reluctance leaves me.

"...Fine. But if something happens to you because of this—"

"It won’t." She cuts me off, and I give her a look.

"You don’t know that."

"I do." She retorts, and I pause.

Her certainty is irritating... but somewhat reassuring.

"Okay. Fine. Do your thing." I finally give in, and she steps closer immediately.

"Hold still." She orders, and my brows shoot up.

"I feel like I should be concerned about that instruction."

"You should just follow it."

"That’s not reassuring."

She ignores me as she reaches for my ear and tucks my hair behind it.

"You need a haircut..." She mutters, but I ignore her.

There’s a faint flicker of magic—quick, precise—and then a sharp sting hits my ear.

I flinch slightly, and I swear I hear her snicker.

"Seriously? No warning?" I complain, and she sighs.

"I told you to hold still."

"That wasn’t a warning." I point out, and she laughs softly.

"My bad." She replies.

I huff under my breath. Then she slides the earring into place.

The moment it settles... I feel it.

Not heavy... Not obvious... But there.

Like something settling just beneath the surface of my skin.

She steps back, studying me, and I stare back.

"Good." She mutters, and I sigh.

Her expression shifts again. Turning serious, and mine follows suit.

"Listen to me," she says, and I straighten slightly.

"Moving forward, if you feel watched... or if anything feels off—anything at all—you come to me. Immediately." She orders with no hesitation or room for argument in her voice.

I also notice that there’s something else beneath it.

Fear.

Not loud, or panicked. But real enough to shake me.

I nod once, though.

"I will," I reply, and she nods in approval.

She watches me for a moment longer, like she’s making sure I mean it.

She sighs and turns to leave. I do not stop her as she leaves.

The corridor stretches out ahead of me— quiet and normal in a way that feels almost insulting now.

I lift my hand slowly, brushing my fingers against the earring. Then lower it, pressing lightly against the necklace beneath my robe.

Two charms.

Two protections.

Given to me within the same night.

I let out a slow breath, and Elián stirs faintly behind me, quieter now, but not distant.

"They’re both scared."

"Yeah," I murmur.

Selthía didn’t show it the same way.

She never does.

But it was there.

In the way her voice tightened just slightly. In the way her eyes darkened when I said his name.

Asa, however, didn’t hide it at all.

And both of them... Both of them told me the same thing.

Protect yourself.

Be careful.

Keep the charm close.

I tilt my head slightly, staring ahead as the weight of it settles properly this time.

"...This isn’t going to be an easy battle, is it?"