When we’ve had enough sparring, Cass sends Daje on his way. We move on to our daily run and then training with the bow. I manage to land a single arrow on the target at the very bottom, earning a delighted cheer from Cass.
I’m dripping with sweat when we finally make our way back to the palace, the silence apparently giving way to my wary thoughts.
“You’re upset about what happened,” Cass guesses as we walk.
“I hate that we have to lie. That it’s because of me. That Nox can’t help but be so protective because he’s trying to make sure I stay safe. At what point does it become not worth it?”
“I imagine, for Nox, that day will never come. To him, you’ll always be worth it.”
Sighing, I take in the palace at a distance, its three stories still not towering over the four massive trees anchoring it on each corner. Green vines and blooming flowers wrap around posts and grow over the verandas. It is so stunningly beautiful. This entire kingdom is, and my presence here threatens that beauty. The truth about my past, my identity, my magic… was that really what my life would always consist of? Yes, I am out of the tower and living with the man I love, but I am still shrouded in words that have to remain unspoken. I ache—my heartaches—with the weight of these secrets. How am I ever expected to fully and trulyliveif I constantly have to hide parts of who I am?
Cass and I climb the steps to the palace, the guards at the top opening the doors with a dip of their chins as we pass.
“Will you be heading to Nox?” I ask, gazing up at him.
“Yes, I—”
“Lady Rhea!” Barron comes barreling into the foyer, his boots squeaking on the glittering black stone floors. “I’ve just been sent to get you.”
“On whose orders?” Cass asks, taking a subtle step between Barron and me.
Barron’s deep gray eyes hold mine, something akin to panic swimming in their depths. “The crown prince’s,” he responds, taking a half-step back. “Please, we must go.”
Cass and I follow Barron’s quick strides, drawing a few puzzled looks from the people that pass.
“Do you think the council has summoned me early?” I whisper to Cass.
“Nox wouldn’t let them. I don’t think that’s what this is,” he responds firmly and is proven correct when Barron leads us not to the council rooms but to a door farther along. He knocks threetimes, pausing for a few seconds before adding an additional knock.
Sadryn opens the door, his features strained as his eyes move to Cass and then me. “Thank you, Barron,” he says, dismissing the guard.
Barron sends me a weak smile before leaving as Sadryn beckons Cass and I inside, firmly shutting the door and locking it behind us. The room appears to be an office, but the details of it get lost when I see Nox standing with his back to us, a hand running through his hair. His magic is thick in the air, making my own perk up within me.
I look at Sadryn who gestures for me to move forward but places his hand on Cass’s shoulder to hold him back. My steps are tentative, the pounding of my heart making it hard to breathe as I come to Nox’s side. “Are you alright?” I ask him, leaning my head farther forward to make out his expression. He finally looks down at me, and I nearly gasp from the look of pure devastation that flattens his lips and draws his brows down. “What is it?” Scanning his body, I find him to be whole and uninjured, the only sign of his discomfort is what is so clearly painted on his face.
He drops his hand from his hair and, with a slight tremble to his fingers, hands me a folded-up paper, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand. “Before you read that,” he states, his voice hoarse, “I need you to know that not one ounce of this is your burden to carry. Not oneounce.”
My gaze moves from him to the paper, the room deathly silent as I begin to unfold it. My hands still when I see the sigil at the top—a golden roaring lion. “What is this?” I whisper as I scan the elegant handwriting.
“The workings of a madman,” Nox responds just as quietly.
Holding my breath, I begin to read.
My Darling Rhea,
Do you remember our last chat over tea? The one where I told you the story of how your mother came to the castle? I’m glad that I could share that tale with you, if only to have it fresh on my mind when I sent my guards into Celatum. I’m sure you and your lying prince felt safe residing there; perhaps he even told you that they kept his secrets over the years. However, a lesson I had to learn in my past—and one that you are going to learn now—is that you can get someone to tell you everything you want to know with the right motivation. All you need is the patience to figure out what it is that you can use against them.
And, my darling, I have patience to spare.
As it turns out, there is a man by the name of Edward who resides in Celatum. His family used to own the only inn there and did quite well for themselves. That is, until a woman showed up about twenty-two years ago and opened her own inn just down the road. It’s interesting how grudges can fester over time. How they don’t fade away but instead burn deeply until they’re an inferno waiting to be unleashed. Edward is a patient man. Even as business began dwindling, once loyal patrons now giving their coin to his competitor, he persevered. He let his growing anger become fuel. Anger and regret do make for powerful motivation. One that spurred Edward into telling my guards that a beautiful blonde woman and a large white fox were spotted together entering a certain inn.
I was surprised to see such a familiar face hiding in plain sight. I think she was even more surprised tosee me when I had her dragged back to the castle. I’m afraid it wasn’t a reunion either of us wanted.
I hope you recognize this gift I’ve sent you for what it is—your first sacrifice. Do you feel the blood on your hands? Can you taste the bitterness of the death you’ve caused? Will you keep playing pretend and hope no one else dies because of it?
Come home to me, Rhea. For this is your only true home.
I’ll be waiting for you,
