“It’s up to the gods. You can request, but ultimately, we don’t choose.” He stands, then offers his hand to me.
I accept it numbly and let him guide me to standing. “So the gods gave you fire and shadows?”
He smirks. “Among other things.”
My brow furrows. “Like what?”
“Maybe I’ll show you someday,” he says. “Perhaps after you gain your own magic.”
“What?” It feels like I’ve been slapped in the face. “I don’t have any magic.”
“Not yet. But after you go to the temple at Darkfall, you will.” Caiden steps over a vine that’s snaked its way across the path and continues deeper into the garden. “Or you’ll be dead.”
I follow his lead, avoiding the twisting black tendrils that stretch across the walkway. “I don’t want magic.”
“I didn’t ask you if you wanted it.”
“Why would I need it?” I press.
“Every empress must enter the temple and be judged by the gods. My mother did.”
“I thought your mother only went in because she was desperate. I thought women weren’t allowed.”
He chuckles. “Who told you that?”
“One of my ladies,” I admit.
“Well, nice to know the rumor mill is still going strong. No, my mother went in because she was strong. And she had to prove she was worthy of my father.”
“So you want me to prove I’m worthy even though you’ve told me the whole reason I’m here is because you need me? You obviously don’t think I’m worthy of you.”
“You’re starting to change my mind,” he says. “Besides, there must be at least part of you that’s curious. Everyone has imagined what their life might be like with magic. I know you’re not exempt.”
“Do I want to drain the color from everything I touch?” I shake my head. “No. I don’t want that.”
“That wasn’t all she could do.”
“Whatever else she could do, it didn’t keep her alive.” I feel guilty as soon as the words leave my mouth.
His expression darkens. “This isn’t a choice. At Darkfall, you’ll go into the temple.”
I clench my jaw. I won’t be here by Darkfall. “Fine.”
“Fine?” The anger on his face dissolves. “Since when do you go along with what I say so easily?”
“Maybe I am a little curious.”
He lifts my chin with his index finger. “I like curious women.”
My stomach churns, and I fight against the urge to slap his hand away. I’m so focused on keeping my expression neutral that when he lowers his face to mine I back away. “Sorry. I’m not ready for that yet.”
“Well, that is disappointing.”
“Give me a little more time. It’s an adjustment being here and being with you.” I swallow hard, hoping I came across as homesick rather than cold.
“I’ll escort you back to your room, Princess.” His tone is flat, devoid of emotion, but at least not angry.
I’ll take what I can get.
