When I start to move, he makes another sound. Something between a groan and a prayer.
"The meeting with the Sages." His fingers trace slow circles on my back. "That's when you learned about your parents? That's why you wouldn't let me comfort you?"
I nod against his chest.
"Gods, Ada." He pulls back to see my face. "Why didn't you tell me? Did you think I'd drag you to the Bratus? Did you think I'd?—"
"No!" I push up on my elbow to face him. "I didn't want you to look at me and see a monster. That was before I knew you were the prince!"
He chuckles, hand settling on my hip. "And we know how you feel about monarchs."
"Oh gods." My eyes widen. The twinkle in his only grows brighter.
"Don't worry. I won't tell the king."
"Goddess strike me." I bury my face in the pillow. "You couldn't have stopped me from putting my foot in my mouth?"
"And make myself a target of your ire?" He laughs. "No, thank you."
He brushes the hair from my shoulders. Turns my face toward him. Cups my cheek, eyes soft. "You're so beautiful."
"So are you." My chest tightens as I shift closer. "What are we going to do?" I whisper.
"Figure it out." His thumb strokes my cheek. "Together."
"What if we can't?"
"We will."
I swallow. "The Flame said I won't lose my life to the curse."
His eyebrows rise. "She said that?"
"She said I'll lose my memories." I look away.
"That's not going to happen."
My eyes snap to his. "Mal. We can't change fate."
"I'll speak to her. I'll?—"
"No." I sit up, cross my legs, face him fully. "You are not making another bargain."
He sits up, shoulder against the headboard. "You can't make that decision for me."
"And you can't fix everything with bargains." My voice sharpens. "Iwon't allow it."
He stares at me. Eyes narrowed. Jaw tight. "We’ll leave the night after tomorrow."
"What about the ivory weapons?"
"Kage will handle it." His voice brooks no argument. "Our priority is the scepter. And finding a way to lift this curse without endangering you or losing your memories."
I nod.
"I meant what I said." His eyes hold mine. "I won't let you sacrifice yourself."
We both know the prophecy can't be changed. But I place my hand over his and squeeze, hoping it's enough. Cursebearer. What a terrible thing to name a child. What a terrible weight to carry for three hundred years.
