“Ophe did some digging when she visited the human world. It seems there are a lot of legends there about twins who had heightened powers before and after the worlds separated.” I pop my shoulder. “Based on that I believe it has to do with the fact that we are twins. And well-” I gesture towards him, “this supports that.”
“But Nova didn’t have her powers. Caspien doesn’t.” A soft smile spreads across my face. Even through all the ash, smoke, and mud he is still so handsome.
“Nova did.” I say, sadness edging my voice. I look down at the water, staring at the previously clear spot.
“No, she didn’t.” He is so sure.
“No?” I ask with a smirk. He runs his hand back through his hair. “Nova and I got our powers the same day. Your mother knows but didn’t seem too happy about it. I left not long after that so I didn’t know for sure until recently but she was told not to use them. Or at least to not share that she had them.” I foundnotes in Nova’s journal about how hard it had become to contain her powers as she got closer to our birthdate.
We walk around Aquaria a little longer discussing what this could mean for the elemental lands but it is clear that right now the magic won’t maintain against the Goddess’ destruction. Whether it is because we aren’t strong enough yet or because Gaia’s powerisso strong, we don’t know.
When we rematerialize in the castle I immediately head back to my rooms to wash away the day that coats my skin. But as I come to the end of the hall voices float towards me.
Despite my desire to be clean, the magic in my veins alights, urging me in that direction. Tiptoeing, I approach Isolde’s study. Pressing myself to the wall. I refuse to look through the crack having learned that lesson last time when I got caught.
“Let me get to know her better.” Caspien’s words slip through the door jamb.
“Absolutely not.” Isolde snaps back.
Are they talking about me? My brows furrow. Why would she not want me to get to know the male I’m supposed to be bound to for the rest of our lives? Her own son at that.
“As I said, we need her,” Isolde adds.
Caspien snorts a laugh, confusing me even further.
“Keep yourself distracted with whomever you need to. And for Goddess sake stay away from her. She is already too skittish.”
Is Isolde encouraging him to cheat? On me? What messed-up dynamics are going on here? Was Nova running away from this?
“Dowe need her?” Kiel’s deep timber pulls me from the swirling thoughts.
The air is suddenly thick around me, my limbs heavier. I’ve asked the same question over and over:Am I important?
But the little girl inside of me—the one who has always felt disposable—recoils.
“Do not be foolish,” Isolde answers. “If it were up to me, I would send her away again myself. But we can’t risk her not being on that altar. I shudder to think of the risks.”
The ringing in my ears drowns out the conversation.
I should be relieved. They just confirmed that they want me for nothing more than my birthdate.Andthey don’t think they actually need me either. I’m just a safety net. I already suspected all of this. It should eliminate any guilt around me leaving.
I should be furious. So why does my heart feel like it was just ripped from my chest?
Chapter
Thirteen
NISSA
Three days after overhearing the Vaylor’s assessment of my worth to them, I am still livid. I’ve endured lessons with Isolde for two days and it has done nothing but fuel my rage. She is over my barely contained attitude and being in the same room with her just makes me more angry. And more motivated to get out of here.
I feel like a caged animal with the wolves trapped in here with me, circling. I only have a few weeks left to figure this out. If Nova was running from the Vaylors when she got herself killed, then I owe this to her. And the sooner I figure it out the better.
If anyone would have insight into Nova’s life it would be Caspien. While I can’t trust anything he says, Isolde seems determined to keep us apart and I think it is time I try to figure out why.
I work my way through the castle seeking out the heir apparent. I head for the studies first and find the hallway eerily quiet. Taking a few turns, I find myself standing outside of the thick wooden door to his room. I fill my lungs with courage and lightly knock, unconsciously hoping he isn’t there. Surely the next king would need to wake up early and be working already.
Unfortunately, the door swings open and a half naked Caspien greets me. My eyes drop down his bare chest to the rows of abs. He does nothing to hide the smirk creeping across his face as he takes me in.
