Thyra falls quiet, a silence that extends until she breaks it. “My father once told me that a female Oracle is all things to all people. I never understood what he meant until today.”
I’m not sure what to make of that. I feel like I’ve read, or maybe heard, the same thing somewhere before, but I’m not sure where or when.
Thyra pushes herself upright before she wobbles her way across to me, lifting her arm. “The circlet.”
Removing my glove, I clip it back on, but I hold on to her wrist, wrapping my fingers lightly around it.
The silver gown is too thick for me to feel her pulse.
It’s startling that she has become like me.
She’s covered in armor, and I can’t tell if her heart is hammering or if she’s calm, her expression giving little away.
“We’ll all see more of Rohan now,” she says, her eyes raised to mine, as if she’s trying to peel back as many layers from around my heart as I want to remove from hers. “You should expect me to be extremely unhappy about that. I might even try to kill him again.” Thyra breaks her study of me to glance at Cassia. “You need to be okay with that.”
“Fuck.” Cassia lets out a laugh that becomes a sob, a near breakdown, a collapse of her walls such as I’ve never seen before.
Thyra pulls out of my hold, wrapping her arms aroundCassia in an instant, holding my sister as she sobs, letting her cry. Letting her go just as quickly when Cassia pulls back and tries to steady herself.
I know my sister well enough to know she’ll hate that she was so vulnerable just now. Vulnerability will only get her killed.
Cassia swipes at her cheeks, sniffing loudly, barely looking up. “I’ll make sure you get what you need at the library this afternoon. Tomorrow morning, bring Thyra to the training tower. I’ll be there.”
A moment later, the door closes behind her.
Thyra’s arms slowly lower.
All things to all people.
I’m unsettled. Chilled. Warmed. Off balance in a way I’ve experienced too many times already today.
Thyra ran rings around Mother like nobody ever has before. But she did it by reflecting Mother’s own poison.
I find myself wondering how often Thyra conforms to my behavior simply because it ensures her survival.
Who is she really?
Her arms finally lower, her lips settle, her features smooth out, and all I know for certain is that she’s a mystery.
I resolve to discover all her truths. Just as I’m determined to hide my own.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Thyra
I’m certain the path to the library will be as fraught as every other step I take in the Iron Kingdom.
Before we leave, Antony has food brought to us, enough for two people, but he barely touches more than a bite. I’m concerned about his lack of appetite until I try to eat, and find my stomach is still churning after my encounter with Galla.
I manage to nibble some bread and sip some juice before I abandon eating. Pushing my chair back but remaining seated, I take a moment to discover if the dress will adjust its form to my wishes.
I want to know its limitations and if I can change its form, no matter what position I’m in. Sitting, standing, lying down…
Hoping I’m not about to end up completely naked, I try towillthe dress to retract its skirt. It would be good to be able to move without the extra material floating around me.
Willingdoesn’t work.
I try patting the garment in various places to see if it willpull its threads more intensely to those spots. Such as if I need to protect myself against an oncoming weapon.
