I sat back at that. I’d had my hopes pinned on convincing him. Without his help, I would have to resort to my original plan of waiting for Amir to return home as a jilted fiancée.
“You mentioned a second request?” Gideon’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Yes,” I said to my hands, afraid to look at him as I spoke. “Ever since that first day, I could feel—could sense—your Gifting. And so, I assume... that you could sense mine as well?”
Suddenly I was afraidnotto look at him.
When I lifted my chin to meet his sharp gaze, there was no sign of surprise. He only nodded.
I lowered my voice even more, as I continued. “I’m sure you’re also aware it’s against the law for women to be Gifted. Throughout the kingdoms a Gifted woman is required to be put on trial, before being judged as a danger to themselves and to others.”
“It’s my understanding those trials are a bit of a farce.”
I lifted my chin. “If you mean the results are always the same, then yes. It’s supposed to be a fair trial.” I waved a hand. “But the women are always sentenced to have their Gifts severed. And they usually die within a month. I think—” I leaned forward, lowering my voice even more, “—I think someone kills them.”
Gideon shifted in his seat, no longer lounging casually, but leaning forward, tense. “Why did you bring this up to me?”
Another deep breath. I had considered this moment for ages, but once I spoke the words, I wouldn’t be able to take them back. “If they ever discover my Gift, they’ll put me on trial. And if they put me on trial, it’s a death sentence. I don’t want to die. But I can’t keep this Gift hidden forever. Either way, it’s killing me. I want you to remove my Gift.”
CHAPTER 31
Arie
“NO.” GIDEON SAT BACKagain, this time as if the conversation was over, signaling for a servant to bring him a drink.
I waited until he took it and the man left. “Why not?”
“Tell me,” Gideon said, swirling the drink before taking a sip. “Has any Gifted woman survived a Severance, to your knowledge?”
“No. But as I’ve said, I think it has to do with the trials.” I pursed my lips, trying to find the right words. “The deaths always take place within a month of a Severance. They try to make it seem random, but Iknowthey’re killing them. That’s why I’ve come to you instead.”
He shook his head.
Scooting to the edge of my seat, I clutched my hands together. “Please Gideon,” I begged, “I can’t live with this Gift anymore. You don’t understand what it’s doing to me. I can’t control it. I can’t go home. I’m not safe anywhere.”I’m an abomination.
“You are not,” Gideon’s soft voice crept into my thoughts. I’d forgotten he might be listening.
