I release a puff of air and cross my arms and legs like a petulant child. What’s the point in continuing the conversation if it’s going to go down the path ofit is what it is? But I’m not the only one who is stubborn in this relationship.
I stare at him with raised brows and shake my head, gesturing for him to get on with it.
“I didn’t siphon from you,” he says.
My jaw drops in disbelief. “I felt you do it, Kyron!”
“Did you?”
I press my fingers to my temples and rub them in tight circles. I recall that day with such clarity. The anguish of it has haunted me. Yet he appears convinced that I interpreted what happened all wrong, like the draining of my gift was a figment of my imagination.
“What is your gift?” Kyron asks.
I lean forward, feeling his breath against my lips. “Nothing. It’s dormant.”
“But you control others’ powers.”
“With the Eporri. You already know that. What’s your point?”
“How does the Eporri work?”
I fling my arms in the air, letting my exasperation take hold. “Whoever possesses it can control the powers of others.”
“Not whoever. The sovereign or their heir that possesses it can control others’ gifts. You had to come to my anointment because you possess the Eporri. Where were Micah’s hands when he gave me his blessing?”
“On my shoulders,” I slowly say.
Kyron places his hand on my forearm. His gift hums through my skin. Fire and shadows awaken every cell in my body. The familiar tug that always draws me to him returns in full force. This is a feeling I now understand. It’s the pull of our parah bond. But underneath that is the strong current that is present when I’m using another’s power, only this time the flow is reversed. It moves toward Kyron. The drain is the same as it was when he stood in the Posseda infused waters.
But that’s impossible unless…
“You didn’t siphon from me, you called to the Eporri,” I whisper.
“Yes. You act as a conduit to the Eporri’s power. I was always my mother’s intended heir, all I needed to do was touch you, and it was good as holding the stone in my hand. The more you and I touched, the more I recognized the power. I wasn’t sure it would work, or that you would fall for it, but I was desperate to get you and Abrum out of Stigian.”
A tidal wave of relief washes over me, but the revelation also triggers confusion and anger. That moment under the waters of the Posseda robbed me of so much. It tore apart my trust, stole my happiness, and broke my heart. I’ve lived months upon months believing a lie while Kyron knew thetruth all along. He let me go into the tunnels under Stigian believing he took something sacred from me. He let me leave hating him.
I fight to hold back the tears distorting my vision, but they pool until I have no choice but to allow them to trail down my cheeks. “Why did you let me leave thinking you siphoned from me?”
“Would you have gone with your father if you knew otherwise?”
I drag my palms down my face, hiding what we both know is my answer. It would have been impossible for me to choose between my father and my parah. I would have rather died than leave either of them behind. Papa would still be chained to Esmeray’s throne, and I would be a prisoner. And Kyron, he would be in the same situation.
My voice is thick and raspy as I ask, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I tried once in the shelter, but we were interrupted. I’m grateful for that though. My mother was always probing around in my head, testing my loyalty. When she’s not doing that, she has people watching or listening everywhere. This is the first time I’ve had the chance to say it without her watching my thoughts. I’ve been very careful to manipulate the things I’ve done since returning to Stigian.”
I shake my head. “So, how did you make her believe you siphoned from me?”
“I thought,if the princess wants me to draw her power, I will.And I called to the Eporri—the source of your power,” he simply explains.
“I don’t understand. Even if you told me, she wouldn’t do anything to you. Without you to carry on her rule, Stigian would fall to Micah or me, and she knows we will rip her kingdom apart from the inside out.”
“I have reason to believe that nothing would stop my mother from taking vengeance if she thought I betrayed her, and I won’t risk you. But that’s a story for another time.” He stands and holds up the covers for me to slip underneath.
The never-ending questions his words spark are immense, but they’re not as strong as my fatigue. This night has already taken its toll on me. I need a moment to sort through everything I’ve learned. Not to mention that my head is still foggy from all the drinking I did.
I slide under the blankets and wiggle my legs, my tight leather pants constricting my movement.
