The corner of Arawn’s lip quirked. She saw his eyes move across her, the salve and the swelling on her face.
‘At least the uniform fits,’ he said with raised brows as he beheld her, all in black. ‘We’re going to be late. Izill, I’ll take it from here. Thank you.’ He nodded his thanks to the servant, then gave Ezer a pointed glance. ‘Come on, Minder.’
She hadn’t the faintest idea where they were going, but for the first time, she didn’t need convincing to follow him. She practically fled the room like it was on fire.
‘Good luck!’ Izill hissed as she reached the threshold.
Arawn closed the door behind them. They stood in a narrow hallway, ancient white stones all around them, and towering arched ceilings with wooden beams covered in runes.
He cleared his throat.
She felt suddenlysmallin his gaze.
Someday, he’d have a golden crown on his head. Someday, he would be herking.
‘Making enemies with Zey is unwise,’ Arawn said.
His tone unraveled all semblance of royalty and any admiration she might have felt.
Instead, there was only annoyance.
‘I can handle Zey,’ Ezer said, and crossed her arms. She was plenty used to bullying, plenty used to being underestimated. ‘Butyoulied.’
His eyes widened. He looked like she’d accused him of murder. ‘I’m a Sacred. I do notlie.’
‘The Citadel doesn’t allow anyone without Sacred blood to enter,’ she whispered, as a servant in brown walked by, quickly bowing at the sight of their prince. ‘You knew, the entire time, that I’m—’ She waved a hand at herself, as if it would make it all make sense, because she’d heard the way even soft and kind Izill had said the word. As if Ezer was somehow evenless.‘I’m an outsider. AnUnconsecrated.’
Somehow the word felt spoiled. Like a curse she shouldn’t utter inside these walls.
But Arawn didn’t look at all surprised by it, like he truly had known the whole time.
‘You didn’t ask,’ he whispered back. ‘I assumed you knew, with your magic.’
‘I don’t have magic,’ she lied.
‘You do. And for whatever reason, you’re hiding exactly what it is. Why?’
Her fists curled in frustration.
‘You’re afraid,’ he said. ‘Because you cannot control it. Is that it?’
She barked out a laugh. ‘No.’
‘Then what is it?’ he asked. ‘You are here now, where all Sacred belong, whether they were raised beyond these walls or not. This is your true home. So, tell me why you seem to have everything against it.’
She released a breath.
How could she tell him?
The list was far too long.
Because I’ve watched people thrown in prison for accusations of spoiled magic just like mine, she wanted to say.Because for two years, I’ve fallen asleep to their cries echoing through the floor of my tower in Rendegard.
Because I’ve read about all the pillars, tried to find space for myself within one, and I cannot. I do not fit.
Because people fear the omens, and I find sanctuary in them.
And if she was really being honest with herself …
