The distant sound of birds cawing grew muffled, and the humid wind blew tendrils of Airess’s hair in her face. She tucked the stray hair back and tried to reply as politely as she could. “If this is true, we would have already learned about thisDivision.It’s–it’s just a fairytale.” But even as she said the words, Airess knew it didn’t resonate with her soul. There had been an internal shift within her during her travels to get here, and she knew whatever seemed impossible in the past now seemed…possible.
Roz shook his head. “No, Luciena has kept its people in the dark. They don’t teach the true histories of the world. Luciena, in a way, has created its own little world within itself. Brainwashing its people to worship only one God, one House, when it took five Gods to make this world.FiveHouses. Yet, they claim all the glory,” Roz scoffed. “They put Bas on a pedestal, as if the other Gods never existed at all.”
“The Luciens altered sacred texts, removing information that could empower the people, only leaving in bits and pieces that strengthened Bas’ image. They use a witch-cursed herb to poison your food, your water, so that your power is weakened.”
Airess’ mind whirled. The food and water? Was it possible that it could actually bepoisoned?
Airess thought back to when her and Taryn had been jailed. She hadn’t drunk any water for hours during that time, and shortly after, she had used her power to escape in the caravan. The same thing happened when Taryn had tried to abduct her when they first met–she hadn’t drunk or eaten, and she used her power to blast him off of her in the forest…
Airess blinked her Sight forward. When his aura glowed brighter, she realized the truth of Roz’s words.
Her stomach plummeted at the realization, yet something was off.
“That doesn’t make sense. The Luciens were hellbent on marrying me off to their princebecauseof my Magick. It wouldn’t make sense for them to poison the water. They wanted power.”
Roz leaned back in his chair, studying Airess. He cocked his head to the side in thought. “You bring up a good point. I will admit, our intel could only go so far. We had assumed it was the Luciens who were poisoning their people. If not, who is? Who else has access to enough salaroses to create the poison?”
Beside her, Taryn choked on his wine.
“Of course, I assure you that is all behind you now. There is no need to worry about the water and food being tampered with here in Rune,” Roz said, nodding his head with encouragement.
“Regardless of the poison, why would the Luciens lie about the world’s true history?” Airess asked.
“For control,” The Queen Dowager chimed in. “They are a powerful ruling House. They can keep themselves on a pedestal if the people are unaware of their own power. The past can be erased by the present after decades, generations have passed.”
“What does Tevye and Luciena’s lies have to do with us?” Airess asked hastily, finally bringing forth the question that had been brewing within her this entire conversation. She looked to Taryn, who was currently staring at his plate, and found it odd he seemed so… unsurprised.
“We believe you both are a part of the prophecy that will unite the world whole again,” Ismene said, as if her statement seemed simple, and understandable.
Taryn scoffed, finally speaking up, “And you gather that from two strangers you’ve never met?”
For once, Airess was glad for Taryn’s attitude. It was true, this all sounded a little far-fetched. A gust of wind blew harder throughout the terrace, stronger than the usual ocean breeze, making the hairs on her arms rise.
Ismene narrowed her eyes at Taryn. “I believe you know the answer to that, TarynSeas. Or should I say Tarynon Kazimyr?”
Silence fell over them. Taryn physically recoiled, his face blanched, as if he had been reminded of something he had tried his best to forget. Airess turned to him, no longer caring that there were others here.
Tarynon.
“What is she talking about?”
Taryn closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. It was because of his reaction that Airess knew Taryn had been holding something back. She had an inkling of it during their travels, especially after visiting Mara’s fortune teller stand. Airess’ heart sank, confusion and betrayal constricting her chest. He had lied about his name.
But why?
Before he could respond, Ismene spoke to Airess directly. “And you, my dear, arenota Haeleth. You did not get that name from a Human Lord.”
Her pulse thundered in her ears.
“Wait –” Taryn said, holding his hand out to stop Ismene, but she kept talking.
“In fact, that Human man was never your father. Your name, yourtruename, is Airess Deyanira. You are a Lightborne princess of House Deyanira, Daughter of Stars. Andyou,” Ismene bit out, shifting her eyes to Taryn, "Are prince Tarynon Kazimyr, Stormborne prince of House Kazimyr, Son of Moon. But you already knew that, didn’t you?”
Chapter 30
‘How dare you namesake this abomination of a world after us,
Evyen? How dare you.’
