It’s strange hearing the familiar names on her lips.
“The Rashielle diamond goes with the Elowyn sapphire on the king’s crown and the Nocturn ruby on that necklace Queen Davina’s always wearing. They’re the three most valuable stones in the whole world. I can’tbelieveFinneas gave this to you and you didn’t even say yes.”
I’ve stopped listening.
I’m imagining Elowyn and her sisters, Nocturn and Rashielle. I recall the way my mother starts her prayers with a triangle gesture for the sisters: Keeper of Life, Keeper of Death, and Keeper of Time. The words of the poem from the second gate twist over in my mind:
One of three, and one of one,
I glitter as the stars.
Let all the pain be overcome by my eternal march.
I am the seed of Rashielle,
Unyielding as the clock.
I carry life within my sight,
On this unshifting dock.
I feel a rush of urgency. “I’m so sorry, but I’ve got to go.”
“What?”
“I just realized there’s something I have to do.”
My pulse is roaring in my ears as I dash straight back to Cygnus’s office. I’m reminded of the queen’s words on the day I arrived at the castle—Nothing happens for nothing.Gods, how true that is. Perhaps there really is some divine plan behind the nightmare we’ve been living.
For once, Cygnus is the one to jolt when I wrench open the door.
“The second riddle. I solved it,” I say, panting. “It’s the ring.”
y nightfall, we’re on our way.
I know the reason for the heavy silence that sinks over us as we work our way back toward the gates. This expedition isn’t like the others. I’m not eager and excited. It’s duty that keeps me putting one foot in front of the other.
One last task. One last chance to prove myself before I go home.
Cygnus seems thoroughly displeased with me. His expression turned dark when I showed him the ring. I didn’t tell him the whole story of how I got it, but he seemed to put together the pieces on his own. He hasn’t mentioned it, and I’m wondering if he ever will, when he abruptly cuts the silence.
“Do you love him?”
“What?”
“That would make this a lot easier for me. If you could tell me that you do.”
“Yes. I love him.” I blink back at Cygnus, trying to understand his perplexing expression. “Why do you care? What’s it to you?”
“Just—”Cygnus breaks off. “Never mind.”
I cover the ring, folding my arms. “I’m not marrying him. Not that it’s any of your business. I’m finishing this, and then I’m getting out.”
“Where will you go?” Cygnus asks.
“Home.”
“The Ironwoods?”
