That stone monstrosity my father built for me glares down on me like a curse. The sky that is forced to reflect my mood turns a nasty shade of soot with traces of blood intermingled because I’m fit to kill—I’m just not sure who quite yet.
No sooner do I enter those hallowed marble halls than Sage runs out.
“Father!” The look of panic in her young eyes is startling, and this feels like another fissure in the infrastructure of my heart today.
“What’s the matter, Sage?” I scoop her up into my arms and spin her, but she kicks her way back down. Sage is never up for being treated like a child.
“They’re all gone.” There’s a notable lilt in her wail. “All of the king’s men have been taken. And along with them some of the most powerful weaponry was removed from the war room. They took it with them when they left. I watched the ambush take place on that rubbish beach Mother lured you to. While you cavorted with her and she whisked you into the sky, Uncle Logan and Uncle Wesley and the rest of their weasel friends attacked them. But don’t worry. You still have the Valkyrie—a small handful, but they’re dedicated.”
“Sage”—I stoop down a notch—“I appreciate you looking after me.”
“And our people,” she adds quickly. “I fight for them, too. Mother is trying to choke the life out of us, but we won’t let her. Not even in death can she stop us.”
“Yes.” I sigh. “About that. I think I need to head to Ahava for answers.”
Her face grows dark.
“Answers for what?” There’s a sharp edge to her tone, and I won’t lie, I’m not looking forward to what comes next. “She’s filled you with doubt.” A tiny laugh puffs up her chest, but the anger in her eyes has grown far more acute like a lethal sharpened blade. “Come then.” She holds her hand out, and I take it. “We shall find out the answers together.” Her brilliant blue eyes bear hard into mine, and it feels as if I’m looking at twin globes, the exact representation of the Earth. “Did you know that it is impossible to lie in paradise?”
“Yes.” I give a slow nod her way. “But did you know there are clever ways to spin words that can make you wonder what in the heck was just said?”
“Oh yes, Her Grace is an expert at it. I’ve no doubt she will do just that, Father. Don’t let your heart be heavy. Soon your anxious heart will be filled with relief, and then a righteous anger for what the enemy has done to our most prized fighters. But don’t worry, Father. We still hold the high ground and we always will.” She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. “Away,” she riots, and soon the gray stones of Eversor are traded for the pristine glow of Ahava. It’s nothing but baby blue skies, a matching lake, the vibrant Elysian Field in the distance. Paradise is truly just that—paradise.
A smattering of souls drifts about. I spot Candace out on the water with her two cohorts that look just like Dudley.
Candace looks our way, and my heart thumps because, holy heck, she is Skyla in every way but where it counts—the heart. Candace Messenger doesn’t have a beating heart because if she did she would have told me the truth from the get-go. But like I said, some people know how to beat the truth into submission so much so that it sounds like a lie. I’m wondering if that’s what she’s done. The question is, when did she do it? The first time I came around sniffing for answers or in that mind warp of a dream that Skyla induced. I have no doubt we were here.
“Your Grace, Candace,” Sage says it in a menacing shout. “Please entertain us. We have come in need of your assistance.”
I give a quick blink at Sage’s word choice. I’m not quite sure I want Candace to entertain me, ever.
But Candace gets right back to the conversation she’s having with the two men by her side.
“She’s not coming?” Sage sounds a touch amused. “Surely, you’ve angered her.” She nods my way. “What shall we do now?”
“I’ve a thought,” a deep voice strums from behind, and we turn to find Dudley striding over in a light gray suit as if he were about to head up a celestial board meeting.
Sage groans, “We’re not interested in your thoughts. Father, don’t even look at him. He’s been lewd in every capacity with Mother. I’ve seen the way he ogles her. He hates you. He’s glad you’re dead and out of the way. He wants Uncle Logan dead, too.”
“Now now.” Dudley gives a little wink her way. “Hate is a very strong word, young lady. And what’s wrong with dead? Certainly your father enjoys the fruit of both worlds.” He takes a moment to glare my way. “State your purpose.”
“I’m here for answers, but you know that, don’t you?”
A sly smile flickers on his lips. “I know everything, Jock Strap. Now think hard. Who could tell you the truth?”
“Candace but she’s refusing to acknowledge me. Hell, I don’t know. Any of my dead relatives around? My grandmother, maybe?”
He lifts his chin. “And why should she be apprised of the things that concern the battle to end all battles?”
“You’re not calling it a war.” I tip my head to the side, trying to decipher what he’s saying. “I think I get it. If I stay, it’s a war. If I walk, it’s nothing more than a battle with the Fems. They need me as their leader.”
He tips his head my way. “Evidence that you are bright when you wish to be.”
I glance down at Sage. “So if my grandmother isn’t privy to this information because she’s not privy to battle plans, we’ll have to find someone who—” My gaze shifts back to Dudley. “Nathan Messenger.”
“Grandfather?” Sage says his name like a protest. “No. Grandfather is devoted to that spoiled little daughter of his. He’ll bend the words like you said, Father. He’s for Celestra. HeisCelestra, for goodness’ sake. You mustn’t listen to a thing he says.”
“Someone call my name?” An all too familiar voice calls out from behind, and I turn to see Nathan Messenger’s loving eyes, that smile riding on his lips that looks so damn genuine.
