Stepping back to Zayde’s side, she frowned. “I’m not sure why I said that.” With a shrug, she looked up at him. “Flit us to Riftflame, love. I don’t know the location.” Her smile fell my way again. “I have power! Last night, I flitted from the bedroomto the bathing area. I’m going to try to flit from the bedroom to the courtyard next, but I know I’ll soon be able to go wherever I want. Zayde’s teaching me so much, and magic is only a part of it.”
“You’re Lydel,” I said. “Of course you have power.” Incredible power, I sensed. Now that my sister had been awakened, nothing would hold her back. If the king didn’t watch out,she’dbe the one killing him, not me.
Zayde and Vexxion shared a look I couldn’t define before he and Layla flitted from the room.
“I have a few things I need to do.” Vexxion did not meet my gaze.
“Like what?”
“Nothing you need to be concerned about.” The gruffness in his voice scalded my skin. Something had changed between us again. Why?
Each day without his love was an emotional test. I kept alternating between hope and utter dejection. Watching him interact with everyone else sent jolts of jealousy through me, stabbing deeper than a blade. I analyzed every word he said, dissecting even the smallest detail for signs I was beginning to think I’d never find.
My mind had turned into a dungeon of unanswered questions. How much more of this could I take?
Everything, if I had to. I couldn’t give up.
I walked over to stand in front of him, wanting to ask him to hold me, to tell me everything was going to be alright, that we’d see this through and come out of it even stronger. In the past, he would’ve offered me that comfort without my asking.
Now, I didn’t dare beg, because I worried he’d reject me. Not just in this but forever. I’d saved him from his father, but that wasn’t enough. Now I found myself mourning the death of us.
Before my fumbling hands could latch onto his tunic, a misty barrier fell between us. It wasn’t a tangible thing, but it might as well be. A mask fell down over his face like a harsh wind had shot through the room, stealing all the warmth in this world and the others beyond.
Vera watched us with sympathy shadowing her eyes.
“Let me know if you come up with anything,” I finally said, my hands flopping against my sides. I was coming into my power and building strength all the time, but nothing I’d learned so far could fix this.
Despair kept ripping through me, leaving only a raw ache gnawing through my core.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Vera asked him, coming over to stand at our side. “I could at least escort you to the entrance before flitting back here.”
“You explained what I have to do, and that’s enough.” His warm hand brushed against the skin on my neck, and he lifted the pendant he’d given me, coiling his fingers around it. “I need to borrow this.”
“Of course.” Though it hurt to remove it, I stepped away from him and unfastened the clasp, handing it to him. I let my hand linger on his longer than I should, foolish, desperate me sucking what little warmth I could from him before I wrenched my hand away.
His neutral expression met mine, and I worried my agony and despair was reflected on my face. Shadows flickered in hiseyes, and for an instant, I was back at the fortress, challenging him. Laughing with him. Falling in love with him.
I’d linked my heart and soul to this man who was unlike any other.
“I’ll return this to you as soon as I can.” With a nod, he flitted from the parlor.
I dragged in a breath and staggered. I would’ve fallen if Vera hadn’t drawn me into her arms.
“Things will work out as they should,” she said.
Such a useless platitude.
“Have you seen anything?” My voice croaked, and I scrambled to drag up a bit more hope to cling to.
“Some things can be changed while others can’t,” she said softly. “But trust that the fates will not tear you two apart.”
I wasn’t sure I had enough hope left to trust in anything. The fates appeared determined to shred whatever was left of my heart.
“He left for Weldsbane?” I asked.
She stepped away from me, though she held onto my forearms. “Now that his collar is gone, he can seize his court’s core. I told him how it must be done. I’m no elder, but I’ve learned a few things during my lifetime that suit me well now.”
“Ivenrail will know the moment he claims it.” My shrill voice echoed in the room. “He’ll go after him.” He’d kill Vexxion this time.
