“That remains to be seen. She and Zayde are fated mates.”
Vera gaped at me.
“You didn’t see it?”
She huffed. “I told you I don’t see everything.” Her head tilted, and she appeared to gaze inward. “Now that could be interesting. Zayde and Layla? Delightful.”
“Not quite. Themonsteris still alive, andheand Layla are married. He’s still coming for us. He’ll kill me and take the core from her since she’s next in line. I’m sure he’ll slip through the thorns like I did and stalk through the city until he tracks down the court’s core.”
“He won’t be able to reach it. It’ll be yours by the time he could find a way through your mother’s magic.”
“What’s keeping him from taking it from me once I’ve obtained it?”
“Your strength of will.”
Did I have much left? The battle hadn’t even gotten started, and my muscles ached, and my confidence flagged. “If he can steal Lydel’s core, Riftflame will give into his demands, and it’ll be over.”
“Which is why we need to make plans.”
I liked that I had family eager to guide me, but I’d learned I could only rely on myself.
“What about me?” I asked, unable to keep the sarcasm from my voice. “Did you know I would be safe and well-loved when you tossed me toward the fortress?”
“Youweresafe, and you are well loved, are you not?”
My shoulders curled. Iwaswell loved by my friends, but no longer by Vexxion. My throat closed up as if I still wore the torturous vine collar. An ache gnawed at my heart, and I bit back the rising fear that I’d never feel his love again.
“Things have a way of changing quickly.” She gave me a pert nod. “Trust in this. You lost your Lydel family, but you formed a new one who will be true to you until your dying day.”
“Reyla’s like a sister. Brodine’s the best.”
Her head cocked. “Ah, they’re coming through now. I didn’t think it would take them long. Your mate is persistent.”
“He’s been here before.” Assuming this was where he picked the roses.
“Perhaps,” she said.
“Why did the thorns let me through but block my friends?”
“Because the Lydel High Lady needed to arrive here first.Do you feel it?” She closed her eyes, and her face seemed to shimmer. Only then did I hear a subtle, almost whimsical sound spinning through the air.
“What is that?” I whispered, peering around.
“The core magic of your court. I’ll guide you as best I can in claiming it. As for the thorns covering the island, only those who love Lydel can break through and only at the spell’s whim.”
“Break through the curse?”
“There is no curse, just thorns and wards that have protected our court for twenty years. We’ve all been waiting for you.”
“There’s no one here but us.”
“Oh, but there is. You’ll see.” She patted my arm and gave me a sad smile. “Your mother gave her life to cast the spell that covered the island. Did you know that? She protected yours and your sister’s inheritance because you were too young to do so yourself.”
I didn’t remember my mother. I’d seen her during the vision, but I hadn’t known how important she was to me back then. If only I could see her one more time.
“Tempest,” Vexxion bellowed outside.
My heart flipped over. “It’s him.”
