“It’s not your fault.” His hands twitch, tenting over his chest. “That confrontation was a long time coming.”
Without asking for permission, I sink into the armchair. “What do you mean?” I ask, partly from curiosity, partly to lure some life back into him.
I’m not sure if he’ll answer. But to my surprise, Cygnus takes a deep breath and explains, “Finn and I grew up together. We’re only a year or so apart in age—I’m not exactly sure, since I didn’tknow my mother. But we experienced everything together: first dueling lesson, first fight, first time falling in love. We used to be inseparable. In some ways, I think I know him better than anyone. He might say the same.
“When we were kids, all the titles and bullshit didn’t seem to matter. He said he didn’t want to be king, that he wouldn’t want the attention. But people are a product of their environment, right? And he’s the son of the king. You can’t escape that.
“As we got older, I watched him get corroded by privilege. Finn never had any checks against his impulses—the king barely paid attention to him. I think that made him sad at first, and then he got angry and started acting out. So, when I was studying to be a Healer and starting to find my footing professionally, Finn was out chasing skirts and getting hammered and making messes for other people to pick up. He got foolhardy. He stoppedseeinghow his actions affected anybody else.”
He meets my eye, and I know Cygnus is questioning if he’s gone too far—shared too much. But I want him to feel at ease with me. “Go on.”
He continues, gaining steam. “By the time he turned eighteen, he was out of control. That’s when his father shoved him into military service. And even then, I don’t think he ever sobered up to the responsibility of it. Sure, he got passed up the ranks, and he’s good with a sword. But the Frumentari don’t respect him. His men only follow him because they must.”
“The Frumentari?” I’ve never heard the term.
“Our intelligence network. The ones tasked with hunting down the remaining Talents. You know those soldiers that sometimes lurk around the West Wing? The ones in the black uniforms? Finn is their captain.”
I take a slow, deliberate breath, attempting to keep my voice level. “That’s…that’s what Finn does?”
“Yes,” says Cygnus flatly.
All this information makes my head spin. This must be the position he referred to—the one he didn’t want to say much about.Finn is an agent of the Frumentari.He hunts people with magic. The facts plunge through me, lancing and cold. Do I really know him at all? How badly have I misjudged him? I draw a deep breath, recalibrating. “Does he know what he did to your face?”
“Yes. He arrived before the Healers did.” Cygnus smiles weakly. “I had to talk him down from jumping out the window when they told him I’d lose my sight.”
“What?”I leap out of the chair.
He chuckles darkly. “Sit down.”
“No!No!Cygnus,you’ve got the best Healers in the Midlands here!” I argue. “They’ve got to be able to do something. There’s got to be some kind of a procedure….”
“It’s nerve damage. It’s not reversible.”
“You can’t just give up!”
“I appreciate the passion, but there’s nothing to be done about it. Please—sit down.”
I obey shakily.
Cygnus swallows, his words sharp and unexpected. “You…you care a lot more than I deserve, considering what a perfect ass I’ve been.”
“Youhavebeen an ass,” I admit.
His lips twitch. Almost a smile. Then slowly he says, “In a few days, I’m leaving for Dasken.”
“To heal?” I ask.
“To start my new life.”
“Your new life?”
“There’s a monastery that’s offered to take me in and help me adjust,” he explains. “It’s an outstanding facility. The queen has already made arrangements.”
Alarm rises in me. Fast. “You can’t leave,” I argue. “The hospital is your passion.”
“Anna will take over my position.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to leave!” I push back. “You can still work at the hospital without your sight.”
