Aster nodded, her face still deathly pale as she moved the bookshelf and left the room. I stared at the empty space, uncomfortably waiting for her return.
“Did you speak with Sybil?” Hale asked quietly. His voice sounded strained enough to make me turn in his direction.
“I did, though I don’t appreciate you going to her when you could have come to me.”
“I figured she was the safest option out of the three of you,” Hale shrugged. “Theterrifyingleader of the rebellion usually has a kill first, ask questions later attitude toward those like me.”
I snorted and shook my head. He wasn’t wrong about that. I probably would have been defensive as well if he had come to me. “Well, that leader of the rebellion has decided to listen to your request in return for your help.”
Hale’s eyes were lined with tears as relief shone on his face. “I’ll do anything that’s in my power.”
“We need to switch out some guards. Do you think you can help with that?”
Hale scoffed as if the request was nothing. “Done. Do you have people to replace them, or shall I find some?”
“No, we have our own. We just need one or two of the spots opened for them by tonight.”
“Consider it already taken care of. I’ll even throw in some uniforms for them to change into,” Hale said with a wink.
Narrowing my eyes, I studied Hale, my lips forming a thin line. Though I had access to his memories and emotions, I still felt like I couldn’t get a read on him. Distrust coiled around my mind, but I kept that to myself. Instead, I focused on Sybil’s question from this morning. “Why the blood flower?”
Hale rose a brow, a smile slowly forming on his lips. “Ambrose’s supply was running thin. Why else would I tell Sybil about it?”
“You know why he is taking it, don’t you?”
Hale’s smile grew sharper. “You don’t know? Don’t tell me that the great Samian Olokas has missed something as vital as this!” Hale let out a low laugh. “Well, if you don’t know, I’m not going to spoil it for you. That is something you’ll have to figure out for yourself. But I’ll leave you with a hint. Of all the times Ambrose has taken the blood flower serum, think back to what he did during those days. I’m sure you’ll find your answer soon.” With a mocking bow, Hale disappeared, leaving me alone in Aster’s office.
I barely suppressed my growl when Aster came into the room, carrying a vial with a clear, purple liquid. “This should help her,” she said, handing me the elixir. “Is he gone?”
“He just left,” I said, my gaze lingering on the space where he’d been. “I’m going to visit Cassia. Will you be okay?”
“You mean with the fact that Hale now knows what we are a part of?” Aster mused, pretending that it wasn’t panic gleaming in her eyes.
“If it makes you feel better, he’s known for a while,” I breathed. Yet, he told no one, not even his brother. I started for the hidden door but stopped before I could open it, turning back to Aster. “Do you know why Ambrose takes the blood flower?”
“No,” she sighed, “but I know that he always seems to take it after large meetings with the lords.”
Filing that information away, I nodded. “Thank you for this,” I murmured, waving the vial before slipping it into my pocket.
Leaving Aster’s office, I followed the passageway until I found myself in front of Cassia’s cell, a curse leaving me when I saw how deathly pale she looked since the last time I saw her. Opening the door to her cage, I rushed in, frantically whisperingher name. Hearing me call out, Cassia forced her eyes open, groaning as she tried to sit up.
“You look marvelous, my queen,” I joked, though my heart twisted at the sight of her. I checked her wound, finding the skin stitched back together, but her skin was hot and red from infection.
“I’ve been better,” Cassia laughed, swatting my hands away. “What are you doing here?”
“Can a son not come and check up on the female who raised him?” I asked, my tone dripping with feigned insult. “Your wound is getting worse. Let me bring Aster to you. She can heal you enough just to kill the infection so no one will find out, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I can’t allow you to do that. I have all I need.”
“I don’t understand this, Cassia. Why are you being so stubborn? You even said no totheGod of Chaos. He isn’t someone you should take lightly.”
Cassia’s laugh turned into a pained cough. “You have nothing to fear with Soren. He may seem a little rough around the edges, but he will do anything for his family.”
“And you’re his family?” I asked, my voice brimming with skepticism.
“I may be far older than this realm, my son, but I can still have my secrets. There’s a lot that you don’t know about me, and I would like to keep it that way,” Cassia murmured with narrowed eyes.
“Fine, I’ll leave it alone,” I grumbled, pushing down my frustration. “For now, at least.”
