The title makes him flinch. For a while, there’s nothing but visible tension buzzing between the siblings. Then Kilkenny says, “I can’t explain… Not right now.”
Chiyoko’s shoulders droop, her body deflating. She stares at Kilkenny for a while before storming off. Kilkenny clenches his fist, and the magical light goes out. He doesn’t move from where he stands for some time. Neither do I.
Eventually, we all take care of any immediate needs in the bushes and change out of our festival outfits. We even risk sitting down for a moment. With a heavy, achy head, I move toward the riverbank to refill my waterskin. My body is unsteady, exhaustion seeping into my muscles and numbing my emotions. The world wavers before me as I stand by the river, and I fear for a moment that an episode is looming near.
Alys appears at my side. “How are you feeling, sweetling?” she signs, gently placing a hand on my shoulder.
“Fine.” The practiced lie slips out and Alys purses her lips and raises her brows with incredulity. “And… you can feel exactly how I’m feeling right now, can’t you?” I ask with a sheepish grin.
Alys smiles and nods. “Indeed.” She pulls a vial from the pocket of her trousers and slips it into my hand. “At least this will help the headache.”
“Thank you, Alys.” I uncork the bottle and swallow down the tincture before handing the vial back to her.
She pockets the empty bottle again and faces Kilkenny where he’s seated a small distance away, tossing pebbles absentmindedly into the river. She calls to him. “How much longer before we should leave?”
Kilkenny rubs his face and then gestures, “Less than half an hour. Then we need to find someplace with more coverage.”
Easier said than done.
Rolling his shoulders a few times as if he needs to shake the tension off, he approaches me. “If you’re to learn how to use your powers, we need a baseline. Would you be open to sleeping without your dampener at night? That way we can get a better idea of how your dreamwalking works.”
The idea makes my chest tighten, but I say, “Alright…”
“Alright? Do you understand the weight of this situation?”
I frown at him, the sudden switch startling me. “Of course, I do but?—”
“I don’t think you do.”
Don’t take your anger toward Chiyoko out on me, I want to say to him. But I swallow the words and scowl at him. As he inhales to speak again, Alys’s hand appears on his shoulder.
“Tiernan,” she says. She releases her grip as his face hardens.
“Coddling Garrick isn’t going to help her, Alys. She’s going to be in danger if?—”
“You need to cool down,” she says, holding his gaze. “Now.” There’s no anger on her face at all, and she signs with such gentleness, despite the heaviness behind her words, that I bet her tone is soothing as well.
Kilkenny huffs and laces his fingers atop his head as he walks off.
CHAPTER 50
Carys
The conversationI overheard last night replays incessantly in my mind. Directly confronting Iywan about it is too risky, but I somehow need to get more clarity on his plans.
“Carys?” Ellynne’s face appears over my shoulder in the mirror.
“I’m alright,” I assure her. I stare at my reflection—at the pale pink off-the-shoulder dress with wide, flowy sleeves, a voluminous skirt, and a short train that trails behind me when I walk. I normally wouldn’t dare to wear this dress, wary of Iywan’s disapproval about my bare shoulders and visible cleavage. But today I don’t give a damn. Over the top, I don an ivory cape of velvet. Ellynne places one of my favorite diadems atop my head—the simple gold piece with opals that glint with movement.
I draw in a shuddery breath and turn, my dress and cape swaying heavily against me. “How do I look?” I ask.
The sisters utter a multitude of praises.
Liars.The internal voice is accompanied by an odd pang in my chest.
I suck in a breath and nod to the ladies before heading for the door.
Ren bows to me as I exit my bedchamber. “Where to, Your Highness?” he asks.
