“No, I suppose not. Your mother had few possessions, and she took most with her to the castle when she left.”
I eyed the musty-looking pink quilt on the bed. “Can’t say I’m surprised that she wanted to go.”
Ignoring the thinly-veiled barb, Yanda scooted back on the bed, crossed her legs, and leaned against the wall. “I loved your mother very much, Rain. I never had children of my own, and she was only three when she arrived at my doorstep. The World Walker who dropped her off said her parents had been murdered, and while she owed them a debt, she could not care for a child. She made me vow to raise Leeara in secret and allow no one to find her. Even as a toddler your mother was so beautiful, so captivating with her shining silver hair. I knew there was something special about her. So despite my better judgment I agreed, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.”
I remained quiet as she continued her story, trying to fight off the wave of emotion from learning that my mother had also grown up an orphan.
“For over twenty-five years I kept her hidden, until one day a few of the king's guards came here looking for a good time. They caught the barest glimpse of her in the hall, said somethingabout silver hair and left. When the king arrived hours later, I feared he was there to kill her personally. Instead, he begged her to come with him to the castle, to live there. I had no idea what he could possibly want with a human, and I tried to tell her that he couldn’t be trusted. He was attractive though, and she saw a life outside of a tiny bedroom in Civi Obsura, so she took it.
“A year passed with no word until she just showed up one night with you in her arms, begging for help. She was so scared that I gave her what she wanted without a second thought, and I never saw her again.”
“What did she say when you saw her?” I demanded, stepping away from the dresser. “Do you know why she left the castle?”
“She said only that you were in danger, and she needed the World Walker's help. So I told her what I knew of the Walker’s location. I’m so sorry, Rain, but I don’t know what happened after that.”
“What happened?” I shouted, my voice vibrating with anger. “The Walker killed her and dumped me in a different realm. That’s what happened. You sent her to her death.” I could feel the fire start to prickle under my skin.
Sin must have sensed it was getting close because he jumped to his feet and tried to take my face in his hands. I yanked away and stalked closer to the bed. Closer to the person who got my mother killed.
Yanda didn’t look the slightest bit cowed. Her back stiffened and an air of defiance surrounded her.
“That’s a lie,” she bit out. “Caira would never harm Leeara. In fact, she would come by often to visit with the child when she was young to ensure that she was safe and healthy. Caira even told me where her home was in case Leeara ever needed help or was in danger. She loved your mother as much as a Walker is capable of love, so no, Rain, Caira did not kill her. Who told you such a thing?”
The fire that had nearly erupted from me dissolved into barely smoldering embers. “My father told me,” I said, realizing how stupid I'd been. “He told me the Walker killed my mother just as he arrived to save her.”
“Well, Rain,” Yanda said, climbing off the bed and stepping closer to me. “Your father is a liar.”
Chapter forty
I moved sluggishly as Sin guided me back toward the main city square in search of a dress. Despite Sin’s assurances that he had plenty of Rivellan coin and I could pick out whatever I liked, I just couldn’t summon any excitement. Maybe it was learning about my father’s lies. Maybe it was the unease from spending money on a fancy dress while surrounded by people who could barely feed themselves. Likely it was both.
Either way, I made myself focus long enough to pick out a somewhat plain but still adorable long-sleeved forest green dress with a plunging sweetheart neckline and a baby blue chemise underneath. The silver lacing up the front had the tiniest floral details on it and a matching ribbon tied around the elbows in case I wanted to wear it with the sleeves gathered up. Not that I would be doing that anytime soon.
I tucked the linen-wrapped dress under my arm as we exited the shop. Holding up a hand to block the bright light, I cursed when I saw both suns high in the sky. “We need to go back to the castle. Now.”
Sin frowned. “What’s going on?”
“I have a stupid fitting for my ball gown. I was supposed to be back by the afternoon, but I lost track of time.”
We raced through the city, and by the time we reached the tunnel entrance, sweat coated my neck and back. Slipping through the small gap in the rock, I stared into the ascending blackness before me. We needed light, and I was too frazzled for Sin’s previous method to work.
“Come on,” he said, pulling me along into the dark. “You said anger works, yeah? So think about your father. Think about all the lies he’s told you. Think about the people of Civi Obsura living in poverty while he lives in a castle made of diamonds.”
It was the diamond reminder that did it, and I dropped Sin’s hand as my fire sparked to life.
The hike back to the castle took an interminably long time, and Sin had to keep pausing to calm my rising panic. There was no telling what my father might do if he couldn't find me.
I released my grip on my flames as we neared the end of the tunnel, and Sin raised a finger to his lips, instructing me to hold back. I was already far too late, but we couldn’t risk exposure. So I waited. And waited. Until eventually he gave me the all clear.
We raced out of the cavern and into the hallway, pausing only when we knew we were out of earshot. Sin wrapped me up in his arms and pressed a fast yet intense kiss to my lips that left me lightheaded.
“I need to make sure my soldiers are prepared for this evening,” he said. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
I cast him one last longing look, then tore up the stairs.
“Where have you been, Raynella?” my father roared as I burst into my room.
Well, this couldn’t be good. Not only were Dey and the seamstress already there, but my father stood in front of the hearth, red-faced and looking like he was about to explode.
