The door swings open, and to my surprise, Fen is standing there. I wasn’t aware she would be joining us today.
“Come in,” she says with a smile, but a heaviness still weighs her down. She moves for us to enter.
Silas strides in, followed by Larkin, and I have to convince my feet to move into the room. The air is light, the sun is bright, and the room is drenched in an emerald green that makes it seem as if the forest and her room are the same. It’s stunning and a room I could only dream of having one day. Vines cover most of the walls, and the real forest peeks into the windows from behind the castle. The room is vast and seems to stretch for miles longer than the other rooms.
The room has several seating areas, but the main one features a few grand chairs and a dark couch that looks divine. Fen walks back toward the large fireplace, settling into what I assume is her assigned chair. Silas joins Fen in a nearby chair, followed by Larkin, and my eyes catch sight of Aerona. Her back is to me, but I can already sense her piercing gaze.
“Come sit, Briar,” her strong voice calls.
My senses urge me to stay alert as I cross the room and find the last available chair, directly across from Aerona, and tuck the book behind my back. From our few meetings, I can’t help but have a guard up around her. I sit down, and her gaze locks onto mine. A broad grin spreads across her face.
“Welcome,” Aerona says.
Chapter 32
“Hello, Aerona,” I respond.
Silas shuffles his chair near me, and I see worry flash across his face.
“I’m sure you have heard, Mother, but it was dire we spoke with you today,” Silas cuts in.
Aerona peels her gaze away from me and settles back into the large couch. Her emerald green dress flows to the floor, and her long, straight hair is perfectly tamed. The pendant she wore the night of the dinner hangs delicately around her neck, and the dark stone glimmers in the light.
Silas and Fenmore clearly inherit their looks from her. I allow myself to relax for a moment, knowing that Silas is taking over the conversation. The room seems to pulse from the anticipation that fills it, and no one truly knows how to act.
I look at Larkin, who sits perfectly still and poised in his chair. I sometimes forget that he is before royalty in these situations and must act with respect—not to me, but certainly toward Aerona. He winks, noticing my gaze, and my cheeks turn a light shade of pink.
Fen remains stone-faced in her chair, not fully listening or aware of what’s going on. After learning everything about her ability and potential future, I know that she is deep in thought.
“Fenmore and I are tethered to the vessels of the Great Wiitches, Rohhit Harte and Briar,” Silas says, his words strong and concise. Not a hint of doubt escapes his lips. “I’m sure this is no shock concerning me; however, I was not aware that we both had this ability.”
Aerona stills.
“I will ask you this only once,” Silas threatens. “Your family passes this down, yes?”
She looks at Fen, and a wave of sadness washes over her eyes. “Yes, my grandmother was a tether. I don’t know much, but I am aware of the ability. I never dreamed it would happen to both you and Fenmore.”
“I thought so,” he bites back. “Anything else you would like to share with me and Fen before I continue?”
He’s testing her.
Giving her an opportunity to come clean about Malachi, and I hold my breath, waiting for her response.
“Silas,” I say in my mind.
“She will lie to me,” he responds.
“Be careful asking things if you aren’t prepared to know the answers.”
He doesn’t look toward me, but instead keeps his gaze glued to his mother’s, waiting for her answer. Silas’s jaw tenses as Aerona takes a breath.
“No,” she shakes her head. “There is nothing else I’m withholding.”
“Very well,” Silas responds, casually, even though I know he just took a strike to the heart.
I exhale sharply and look at Fen. She’s gone pale, knowing that her mother just directly lied to her face about something so huge.
“Malachi is gone,” Aerona speaks, and Fen flinches. “Isn’t he?”
