“She could sense the part of you that’s not of this world,” Octavian explained. “She’s powerful enough to know there’s something different about you, but she couldn’t recognize the parts of you that are not of Therador.”
Well, that mostly made sense.
“So are you guys going to explain to me what’s going on?” I said. “WhoisLaitha, anyway, and what does she want with us? And what’s this ‘Circle’ you keep mentioning? Anddon’t you daregive me one of your stupid non-answers. I’m involved in this now, whether you like it or not. I deserve to know.”
“You’re right, of course,” Octavian said. Still, he glanced at his brothers before continuing. “The full name of the Circle is the Circle of the Hidden Stars. It’s made up of the most talented wielders of essence in all of Therador, those who are powerful enough to earn the title of sorcerer or sorceress. Laitha is part of the Circle, as is Mordren.” He paused, then added, “Or at least they bothwere.It appears that things may have changed while we were gone.”
“So this Circle is some sort of…ruling body?” I asked.
“No.” It was Alastor who spoke this time, a hard edge to his words. “They operate outside the established governments.”
“The original idea, I believe, was that they would behave as a check to other ruling bodies, an organization that belonged to no kingdom and to all.” Octavian’s tone was much more patient. “The sorcerers come from all backgrounds, all kingdoms, and they’re supposed to serve as advisers to all, as well as provide a balance of power.”
“You make them sound like a good thing,” I said. “But based on experiences so far, it seems like they’re actually sort of evil.”
Octavian’s expression had turned very grave. “We underestimated their power. And misinterpreted their motivations.”
Alastor scoffed. “What he’s not telling you is that they were the ones who cursed us. They’re dangerous. And they’re traitors, working against the good of Therador.”
Octavian nodded, and I could visibly see him give up any effort to be diplomatic. His eyes darkened and his jaw tightened with barely restrained rage.
“They took everything from us,” he growled, his deep voice an earthquake. “And I intend to see justice done, believe me.” It was the first time I’d ever seen him show true anger, and I was shocked by how wild, how feral he looked in that moment.
“Why did they curse you?” I asked. “I mean, I get that they’re evil, but whyyou?” These brothers had their issues, sure, but that didn’t explain why they’d be the target of some villainous sorcerers’ club.
Octavian’s jaw twitched. Anger still burned in his eyes, bright and primal. “They were afraid, because my brothers and I each made a deal with—”
“Wait.” Radven grabbed his brother’s arm, cutting him off. His eyes were slanted up towards the canopy above.
We all looked up. And then I heard it—that unmistakablewhirthat meant a zhesper was close.
I didn’t move. But each of the brothers reached for a weapon—Radven already had a dagger in his hand, and Octavian and Alastor each grasped their swords, clearly ready to whip them out at a moment’s notice.
The whirring grew louder, closer. I couldn’t see anything in the thick tangle of branches overhead, but I could hear the rustle of leaves as the creature moved through them.
Beside me, silent as a panther, Radven shifted, ready to strike.
But before he could move, the zhesper zipped away, whirring off somewhere else.
“That was too close,” Radven said. “We need to get to Ring-Around-the-Hill.”
“Agreed. Enough chatter.” Alastor was no longer looking up, but he still clasped his sword hilt. “We need to move.”
I wasn’t going to argue with that, even though I had a million more questions, particularly about why they’d been cursed in the first place.
Octavian had been just about to tell me about some deals he and his brothers had made. I’d have bet my entire succulent collection that those deals were connected to Radven’s confession that he’d bargained away his ability to fall in love. Did that mean Octavian and Alastor had given up the same thing? It would have been no surprise to me to find out that Alastor considered love a weakness, just like Radven, but I still had a hard time believing that Octavian was incapable of love—I just didn’t get that vibe from him.
But the guys were clearly done chatting, at least for the moment. They moved quickly through the trees, and I hurried along after them as fast as my exhausted, blistered feet could manage.
It wasn’t long until Radven and Alastor were a little ways ahead, leading the way through the blue-tinged oak trees. Octavian, on the other hand, fell back, dropping into step beside me. I had no doubt he could’ve been moving much faster, and his consideration made me feel even guiltier about the way he’d found me and his brother. He no longer seemed angry, just…pensive. Which made my stomach twist.
“I didn’t think…” I began quietly, then thought better of what I’d started to say. “I’m sorry.”
I didn’t look at Octavian—I was too embarrassed—but I felt him glance in my direction. “Why are you apologizing?”
“Because I’m not…” I took a breath, then tried again. “Because I was kissing Radven. And I kissed you. And you’re brothers. And I hate that the way you found out about me and Radven was stumbling uponthat.” I was starting to babble, but now that my tongue was moving, I couldn’t stop it. “I know no one’s ‘laid claim’ to anyone else, and we’re all adults, and I know that no woman could ever come between you and Radven. But it’s still weird and awkward. And I hate feeling weird and awkward. I’m not trying to like, start any drama here. I probably shouldn’t be kissinganybody, let alone— What I mean is, I’m sorry. I have no idea what I’m doing, and I think I just keep getting caught up in…in…everything. And this is not how I normally behave, at all.” I exhaled, and in my head I could already hear Esmer chastising me for essentially slut-shaming myself. And for apologizing for indulging in a few sexual desires, especially because it took two to tango.
But it felt better, getting it off my chest.
