Two things become painstakingly clear…
Celestatook, without a doubt, something Netharisgave.
Butwhat…
Could it have been the innate Netharis bestowed? The magic would have vanished the instant my contract ended. That doesn’t seem like a worthwhile theft.
It has to be something different.
“Celesta is asking you to return the parts of her she’s given you.”Artemise’s voice echoes through my head.
I pivot, turning to face the three of them to retrace my steps, my mind still racing. Ryc moves into my path, his concern plain upon his face. My feet continue in their slow, steady pace.
What in the hells could Celesta have given me that Netharis believes isn’t hers? Or… she shouldn’t have?
“Ves?” My name on Ryc’s lips startles me.
As I draw close, he places his hands on my shoulders, stopping me in my pacing. I step into his embrace, seeking his warmth and closeness, my arms working their way around him.
Clearing my head with a small shake, I scoff a dry laugh. “Forgive me, more pieces to figure out.” I rub at my brow.
“You’re giving Celesta too much credit,” Eve says to Cyran. “She and Netharis deserve one another. There’s no benevolence in anything she chooses to do—especially when it concerns him. Sheused her own daughter.”
“A daughter she didn’t want,” I add and her eyes swing in my direction.
I can’t imagine bearing children.
Let alone being coerced into doing so.
Part of me doesn’t blame her for doing what she did to strike at my father. She was as much a pawn in the gods’ game as I. It took her centuries, but she watched and learned, and played the only hand she had.
There’s not a soul in this realm who’d do different.
And if they say otherwise, they’re lying.
“Right now, we need to start working toward learning control of your innate,” Ryc says. “It’s bound to manifest in more dangerous ways.”
I pause.
Yourinnate.
The words clang around in my head.
“It’s not mine,” I whisper.
Eve, appearing beside Ryc shakes her head, confused. “I don’t understand. You should be excited. You’ve an innate,” she says. “It’s what you’ve wanted.”
“It’s notmyinnate,” I repeat and she heaves a sigh. “It’s not my shadows. This… this belongs to the other half of—
“Your soul,” Eve interjects heatedly. “Making ityours.”
For something that’s mine, it feels entirely foreign.
And out of reach.
“There’s nothing to grasp. Nothing to beckon or summon or bend,” I reply. “It’s—”
“Nothing?”Ryc’s voice echoes through our bond and my eyes snap to his.“The numbing cold when you slipped into the veil? The brumal rage in my study? The searing panic during the council meeting? It’s all connected.”
