“Nissa, you’re still here,” she says, breezing into the doorway. “Haven’t you finished your dinner?”
“Just tell me what you know about the prophecy, and I’ll leave.”
Her back straightens slightly while she digs through her bag, looking for something. “As I said before, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her voice is quieter but still holds firm.
“You aren’t a very good liar,” I mumble.
With a shake of her head, she huffs out a laugh. “There are a lot of prophecies out there, darling. Don’t waste your time digging into things that don’t matter anymore. You have more important things happening in your life.”
Anymore. That confirms it—she knows what I’m asking about.
“Would it matter if I told you it’s connected to whatever happened to Nova?” Nova is the only thing that has ever mattered to her. It’s my last card to get her to talk.
Instead of the anger I expect, her eyes go soft. She lifts them to the ceiling and blinks away the sudden shine.
When she refocuses on me, her gaze is hard. “All I know about Nova’s death is what I was told, and it had nothing to do with a prophecy. However,ifit did”—she emphasizes theif, “then I would think it wise to stay as far as possible away from whatever this prophecy is.” The familiar venom coats her words.
I don’t know why I ever thought she would help me. I stride past her for the door, surprised when she grips my elbow.
“Nissa, leave this alone,” she says in a low whisper, like she’s worried someone might hear. “It isn’t worthbothof your lives.”
“So, you don’t believe that report either.” I let out a dry laugh. She didn’t outright say it, but she’s implying enough. “With how much you loved Nova, the fact that you don’t care about finding out what really happened to her is…” I look for the word, coming up short. “Goddess, I can only imagine how quickly you would have moved on if it were me.”
I jerk my arm out of her grip and throw the door open. There’s a muffled cry as I leave my mother in the room behind me.
My chest feels just like it did when I was sent away all those years ago. When she showed me that she would never fight for me.That she didn’t love me.
I’m going to have to figure this out myself. I’m alone, like always.
So, why is my heart pulling me towards Cillian?
Chapter
Twenty-Two
NISSA
The dress I selected for tonight is beautiful and perfectly suited for me. Sage green, with a romantic, flowing silhouette, it sweeps to the floor in a way that’s formal enough for the occasion but still comfortable. The floral embroidery around the neckline and lace bodice is whimsical and adds just enough detail to make it stand out.
I’ve pinned my curled hair to the side and let it fall over the front of one shoulder, exposing the delicate leaf-shaped earring, dangling from the tip of one pointed ear.
I summon a smile at my reflection, feeling confident, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. I’ve been eyeing this dress since they put it in my closet, and I love how I look in it. That doesn’t mean I want to go through with tonight’s dinner. I can’t shake the feeling that Caspien is just using me. A stepping stone he’s dusted off to get what he wants. I know the witch said to trust him, but it still feels wrong.
Nova and he had time to form a relationship, no matter how distorted it may have been. They knew each other, maybe even loved each other on some level. It’s conceivable that they would want to bond their lives together. But Caspien just needs me—the other twin born on the same day as him—so he can becrowned and replace his father as king. Otherwise, I suspect I would already be back at the Homestead with Ophe.
Taking a deep breath, I steel myself to meet him in the private dining room. But when I get to the break in the hallway, I hesitate and turn towards the studies instead. It’s one hundred percent because I’m a few minutes early and have decided to kill time, I assure myself. It’s not because I’m hoping to run into Cillian.
What reason would I have to want that?
I flex my hands and rub them over the skirt of my dress. Cillian’s study door is cracked open with light streaming into the hallway. The click of my heels slows as I remember Isolde’s warning.
If Cillian really does have feelings for me, they’re pointless. I shouldn’t encourage him. I take a step backwards. I need to turn back the way I came.
Just as I do, he slowly pushes the door open, expression on alert. His features soften when he sees me. “You look beautiful.” His blue eyes darken as his gaze rakes over me. He takes a slow step in my direction.
“Thank you,” I almost whisper. I try to sound a little more confident. “I’m on my way to dinner with—” I choke back Caspien’s name.
Cillian’s jaw tick as he realizes why I’m dressed up. I didn’t bring up the dinner to hurt him, but we both need to be realistic. No, I don’t plan to go through with the coronation, but he doesn’t know that. And I’ll be gone either way. There is nousin the end.
