Yes, I’ve lost Blayze. Yes, the future of the Quaternity now hangs in the balance – and with it, Arcelia’s future. Yes, I’ll carry Serafine’s death on my conscience for the rest of my life. But there’s something else. The niggle of something not remembered.
And then, all at once, Idoremember.
Arden – not Arden. The Nameless Woman of my nightmares.
Who is she? Where is she? What does she want? And what did she slip in my pocket?
She promised me answers…
I pat myself down. At first, I think my pocket is empty, that I imagined the whole thing. But then my fingers catch on something.
A chain.
Unfamiliar magic seeps from the charms that dangle on it: a force potent and bitter.
I draw it into the open. No, not a chain. Not charms.
A bracelet. A bracelet of tears.
The Bracelet of Tears
‘WHOISSHE? Where is she? What does she want?’
Sister’s teats! Demanding much?
Don’t fret, Princess. Once the memories locked inside those tears leach into your oh-so-superior mind, you’ll have your precious answers. You feel their power already, don’t you? Just as you hear my voice. Though you don’t know why – how.
Yes, I said memories, not confessions. There was nothing to confess, you see. No sin to expiate. Not really. The rest of the Elemagi made sure to steal Arden’s memories though, hoped to destroy them. And with them, the truth. The truth of whatthey’ddone.
The real reason the Sickening was unleashed.
My mother was many things, but she wasn’t stupid. She took them back that night, before she ran. Took back the bracelet of tears and restored herself whole.
I filched them from her again, right before she passed. Made a new bracelet. But it was an act of mercy in my hands. By then, her mind had cracked. Too many Shadow spells will do that to a person. And our tale is a tragic one, those memories were a torment.
I’m only cruel when I have to be. And I dohaveto kill you. You see that, don’t you?
That’s why I’m giving you the bracelet. Only seems fair you know why your moons are numbered.
And I’m nothing if not sporting. Where’s the fun in a rigged fight?
The tears will only confirm what you already know, anyway. That sense of something amiss. That rotted tooth you can’t help but prod with your tongue, no matter the pain.
You knew. Somewhere inside, you’ve always known. That’s your thing, after all.
Tell a truth, I’m surprised it took you this long to work it out – the true villain of the piece. Yes, I mean Noelani. The Clanschief was right about that. And think what that means for you?
You who are her mirror image in all things, and now more than ever.
The hair… those eyes… that shimmer…
Consider this gift a friendly warning, then. I’m coming for you.
Just a few things to take care of first. Unfortunate side effects of handling your mooncrystal – the reason I couldn’t simply claim the Starlight Staff in that cave. No, I wouldn’t call it stealing. Not when you left it so carelessly in the open. It was fair game.
Stupid move, though.
Thought I’d be all right thanks to the Waveborn powers I inherited from my feckless father – the only thing Zale ever gave me. Forgot I’ve always had more of flame than water in me.
