“I thought you were falling for him.”
She looked incredulous. “I never felt about Andronicus the way that I feel about Thrax. It’s like comparing a single drop of rain to the entire ocean.”
I nodded. “I know I shouldn’t feel this way because all Thrax has done is love you and take care of you, but there is a part of me that feels like he’s taking you away. Like I’m losing you.”
Now she took both of my hands in hers. “Lia, I promise you that you are never going to lose me. You’re just going to get more people to love.”
At that I let out a short bark of laughter. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to love Thrax.”
“Give him time,” she said with a knowing smile. “He will win you over like he did with me.”
“Maybe.” I wasn’t sure I believed it, but I would say it for her benefit. Even if she thought I couldn’t say or do anything that would make her turn away from me, I was fairly certain that I could.
“This was always going to be our fate,” she said softly. “I was not going to live with our family forever, and neither were you. We were meant to grow up and move away to start families of our own.”
I wouldn’t. That wasn’t my destiny. “You know the prophecy about me being the savior. I’m supposed to die.”
She shook her head. “I don’t care what some prophecy says. If there’s anyone who can circumvent a goddess, it’s you. I believe in you.”
“Even if I did, war is still coming. People are going to die.”
“I know. Thrax is so worried. He’s talked multiple times about putting me on a boat back to Locris or letting Basileia take me to Thrace.”
“On this topic he and I agree completely.” I would be much happier knowing that Quynh was far away from here and not in the path of danger.
My sister got that determined look in her eyes that I knew all too well. “I’m not leaving. I’m going to stay right here. Whatever your fate is, Thrax’s fate, mine will be the same.”
Perhaps Thrax would be able to find a way to convince her. I just nodded and smiled as if I agreed, but I made a mental note to find him later to privately discuss a possible plan for getting Quynh to safety. Maybe we could give her one of Io’s sleeping potions, and by the time she woke up, she’d already be in the middle of the ocean headed for Locris.
This was so strange, me wanting to scheme with Thrax. The world had certainly turned upside down.
“If you are planning on staying here,” I said, “then I’m glad you’re out of the palace. I will miss you being close by but I will sleep better knowing you’re safe and hidden.”
The grimace on her face made me think she didn’t share in my sentiment.
“Are you enjoying being here?” I asked, wanting to look for good things about her current arrangement in hopes that she wouldn’t get upset about it.
“I’m so used to working that it’s been strange to not be busy all day. I have plenty of books and I’ve been cooking and cleaning, which has been strangely comforting. I have a loom to weave on. Basileia is a fun companion and we’re enjoying each other’s company. I’m not certain how long Thrax wants me to stay here. I’m guessing until Xander is made king and everything’s settled.”
Not if I had anything to do with it. I wanted her here where she was safe. I did have to make one last attempt to get her to see reason before I possibly stooped to subterfuge. “I actually agree with Thrax and Basileia and think you should go somewhere else. Because it’s not just Xander being made king now—it’s the battle that’s coming.”
“I told you, my place is here. With you, my sister ...” Her voice trailed off as she took her right hand away and placed it over her stomach. “And with Thrax, the father of my baby.”
Chapter Ten
For a few moments I did not understand the words in the way that Quynh had used them. “What?”
“I think I’m pregnant.” She said it tentatively, like I might be upset.
“You think or you know?”
“It’s too early to be certain, but I have missed my monthly courses and I never miss that.” It was true. Quynh’s cycle happened on an exact schedule, while my own was chaotic and unpredictable.
And it only now occurred to me how much that matched our personalities. “Io has a pregnancy test. I could bring it here and use it on you.”
She put both of her hands over her stomach. “I don’t think I need it.”
I was in complete and utter shock. I didn’t know what to say, and so without thinking I said, “Our mother is going to kill you. And then Father will kill Thrax.”
