“Look,” I point down to the parchment.
‘The Birth of the Mirrored Princesses.’The title is followed by a detailed recollection of my mother’s labor and the birth of Nova and me.
“It’s the last page. There isn’t anything about the prophecy but whoever wrote this had to have known about it.” I tapmy finger on the two signatures at the bottom of the passage, indicating the scribes who documented the events.
“Do you recognize the names?” I ask.
“Only the bottom one. He is the Royal Scriptor but I don’t know the second.” We both stare down at the second name. ‘Celyste,’scribbled messily in tiny script.
“Could you ask him about her? Find out who she is?” I ask, studying the words before us.
I look up at a nodding Cillian. For the first time, I realize how close he is. He looks down at me over my shoulder and gives my mouth a quick glance.
Our gazes collide. My tongue slips out of my mouth to wet my lips.
“Yes,” he says, his voice deeper than before sending my magic into a frenzy. He leans in slightly, and I tilt my head back further. He runs the pad of his thumb over my jaw, and I shudder.
“I don’t have much time.” My voice comes out breathy, and his eyes snap back to mine. “To find her. It’s only a week from the coronation,” I try to clarify. It just sounds more incriminating.
I curse internally. There’s no reason why I would need these answers before the coronation. In fact, it would probably be easier to get answers as the queen.
“Then we need to be quick. Lila…” His name for me sounds like a prayer. Concern and resignation fill his face. He closes his mouth, like saying more will make me disappear right then, or maybe make the Goddess appear.
Does he know?
Releasing his hold on my arms, he moves back to his table. He runs his hands through his hair. I try to ignore the flexing muscles in his arm. When I look up at him, he doesn’t look suspicious. For some reason, he looks relieved.
“I’ll reach out to the Scriptor today.”
I study his face. He would stop me if he suspected my plan to leave.
Wouldn’t he?
Chapter
Twenty-Four
NISSA
After our discovery in the ancient archives, the next two days are filled with preparations for the coronation and mating ceremony. Isolde insists on including me in all the event plans for the reception, forcing me to look over different types of food and experiences and decor that will emphasize the fire and earth elements coming together. I spend hours at dress fittings and hair and makeup trials, waking up every morning in full dread that I won’t have answers before our birthdate.
Caspien has been noticeably absent during the planning. Which is a relief.
Cillian and I haven’t given up on answers though. We’ve split up, dividing the research while we wait to hear from the Scriptor. He’s continuing in the ancient archives, while I’m with Cyndr, sneaking away whenever I can to look through the ordinary histories.
Each hour that passes increases the pressure in my chest until I can barely breathe. I drag myself out of my bed and stare into the mirror at the dark circles under my eyes.
I’ve failed Nova. Even if we find Celyste before the coronation, that doesn’t tell me who killed Nova.There are just too many questions unanswered.
And on top of that,I’m about to abandon the Fae and this world. I can only hope that I’m right, and they don’t need me. Either way, by running, I’m ignoring an all-powerful goddess’s will. The storms and destruction are proof of Gaia’s power. And soon, that destructive power might be directed at punishing me.
A servant throws the bedroom door open and scurries inside with a tray. It’s the human girl from Nova’s study. “Happy day, your Highness. I have some fruit and tea to start off the morning.”
“I don’t believe I’ll be able to eat anything today, Dahlia.”
“At least have some tea.” She sits the tray on a table and begins pouring a cup despite my protest.
“I really don’t?—”
