I lurch back, holding the fire in my palm between us while my free hand flies to my obsidian dagger. Before I can slide it from its sheath, I realize Amelie’s arms were reaching for an embrace, not an attack. At least, that’s how it appears now.
Hurt replaces the relief in her eyes, but she seems to steel herself as she rises to her feet and pins her arms at her sides. “Evie, it’s you,” she says, her soft, familiar voice like a knife to my heart. How many times has that voice been my comfort, my companionship? “Are you taking me somewhere?”
I consider not answering her at all, but there wouldn’t be much point, since she’ll find out in a matter of minutes. “Yes.”
“Are you punishing me?” Her voice comes out small, but there’s a flash of something unexpected on her face—anticipation, perhaps. Whatever it is, it’s a profane contrast to our topic of conversation. “Am I to be executed for my crimes?”
“Not yet. Come with me.”
Just as I take a step away, she retreats toward the corner. “You should give me commands first. To protect yourself from me.”
A hint of the terror I saw in her eyes returns, sending a chill up my spine. “Why? I thought you said you waited out any of Cobalt’s commands that could hurt me.”
“I did.” She moves farther into the corner, as if she could disappear into it, posture rigid. “But I don’t know where you’re taking me. If we’re going to…if we see…if it’shim, I…” She squeezes her eyes shut as her chest returns to heaving.
I’m rendered speechless as I take in her growing discomfort. How much of this is an act? All? None? Is this still the fear generated from the dark magic of the dungeon? Whatever the case, she’s probably right. It would be stupid to let her leave this cell without commands.
“Amelie Fairfield.” I let my voice fill the cell, waves of magic rolling off my tongue. “By the power of your true name, I order you not to hurt, harm, sabotage, or incapacitate me in any way.”
My sister sighs, shoulders sagging as her breathing returns to normal. With her eyes still closed, she says, “If you’re going to give me more commands than that, which I suggest you do, you should provide a time period in which I’m required to obey. Cobalt renewed my orders daily.”
I remember her mentioning something about that the first time we spoke after her arrival here. “Why is that?”
She opens her eyes, and from the light of my flame, I can see her pupils have returned to a normal size. “He once gave me several long-standing orders at the same time and the results were debilitating for me. A single lifelong command will do, or several short-term commands. I suggest the latter to cover all your bases, and that you extend them to twenty-four hours.”
“How convenient it is that you have such specific parameters for me to go by.” My tone is flat, eyes narrowed as I study her for any hint that she’s manipulating me.
“If you don’t believe me, you may try and do what you wish.” She says it without taunting or malice. It’s more like resignation that fills her toneless voice. “You can see for yourself.”
“Fine,” I say through my teeth. “You will follow my commands for twenty-four hours—”
She shakes her head. “In order for it to work properly, you must specify that you are altering your first command. And then provide the time frame for each separate command you give me.”
I curl the fingers of my free hand into a fist, jaw clenched tight as I consider whether she’s doing this to stall me or sabotage the commands. Then again, I did command her not to sabotage me. “Amelie Fairfield, by the power of your true name, I alter my first command. I demand you will not hurt, harm, sabotage, or incapacitate me in any way for the next twenty-four hours. I demand that you remain by my side and in my sight at all times for the next twenty-four hours. I demand that you not hurt, harm, sabotage, or incapacitate anyone I consider a friend, ally, or subject for the next twenty-four hours.” I pause, searching my mind for any other potential threats to protect against. “And you will not attempt to run away or communicate with anyone I consider an adversary, threat, or enemy for the next twenty-four hours.”
“As you think of more, you may add them throughout the day,” Amelie says.
I give her a pointed look. “Thanks so much for your permission,” I say with venom, then turn on my heel. We exit the cell, Amelie remaining close to my side. Nyxia throws my sister a scowl, then starts down the dungeon hall. We follow in her wake, the wraith-guard trailing close behind.
After a few minutes of silence, Amelie edges closer to me. My body goes on high alert, fire flooding my veins as I prepare for any attack. “Don’t hate me, Evie,” she whispers to me. “I hope you can come to trust me again.”
Her fingertips brush against my palm, and she inches closer, curling her fingers around mine. I flinch at the touch, the feel of her flesh conjuring images of Mother’s hands grasping mine through the bars of her cell at the Spire. A bullet. Blood. Flames. A shiver of revulsion runs through me, and I snatch my fingers away to fold my hands at my waist. I can’t bring myself to meet her eyes as I say coldly, “So do I.”
9
After we leave the dungeon, I allow Amelie a short visit to the moon baths. My eyes don’t leave her as she washes away the grime of her captivity, rings the dirt from her hair, and attempts to smooth her matted tresses. I try not to focus on how her shade of copper looks so much like Mother’s. Instead, I attune myself to the potential threat she poses.
Every muscle in my body is tensed, poised for attack. Part of me expects my sister will whirl around to face me wearing the head of her selkie skin—even though I know the skin is gone; Nyxia informed me it was disposed of as soon as Amelie arrived at Selene Palace. Still, I don’t know if I’ll ever forget the way she looked at me on the balcony at Bircharbor Palace, the way she told me she didn’t want my protection, the way she pulled the sealskin over her face and leapt off the rail and into the waves below, leaving me forCobalt.
His name is like a curse, even in my thoughts.
I force the memories from my mind, tapping my foot impatiently for her to hurry up. Once she’s done taking her sweet time, Amelie changes into a simple black gown borrowed from Nyxia, one to match my own plain, gauzy black dress. Considering our next destination will likely host temperatures hotter than I’ve ever felt before, I figure we should dress appropriately in simple, lightweight attire.
After she’s dressed, I lead us to the throne room. That’s when my stomach starts to roil. In a matter of minutes, I’ll be transported to a new court. A new palace. My new home. The concept is still impossible for me to reconcile.
For the love of iron, I own apalace!
As we enter the throne room, I see everyone else has already gathered. Aspen grins at me, and my lips tug upward to mirror his, warmth stirring inside my chest. With all the arrangements that needed to be made last night, my mate and I have yet to finish what we started in this very room. I blush as my gaze snags on the table at the edge of my periphery.
