“Morrigan was trying to get to the borderlands. She heard Nimah’s call.” Artemis blows out a breath, her hands locked on the armchair. “I didn’t get her summons until she was close enough to the border.”
Whatever she’s reliving, it’s painful. I’ve never seen her frown as she is now.
“Time distorted, and when I entered the woods three years passed and Graves was walking out with you. Your little hand in his.” She sniffles. “The bastard was two steps ahead, as though he knew that was where the Morrigan would cross. I had to negotiate for you.”
Weight drops through my chest. Settles in my stomach and stays there.
I knew eventually I’d have to talk to her about what happened that day. If everything I was told really happened. If the story deviated in some way.
Turns out it did.
“Where was I for three years, assuming I was a baby when I grew out of the earth?” I honestly hadn’t even thought about that until this very moment.
Artemis laughs a little. “Morrigan.” She smirks a little, as though there is still a secret there hidden inside the truth she just exposed.
“Morrigan.”
“She barely survived when Graves finally found her.” She looses a bitter laugh. “She won’t tell you that, but she barely survived. She had to rest for twenty-seven years before waking again.”
That’s my whole life. Whatever battle occurred.
“What happened?”
“Not my story to tell,” Artemis says. “My story is this. I fought for your life every day. You were always meant to be placed with me. And I’m sorry for failing you. For not arriving in time before Graves got you.”
“Me, too.” I choke on the words.
“My mom?” I swipe at the tears burning my cheeks.
“Holds her own nightmares. But what I will say is her ex is the reason Graves chose you.” She gives me a bloodthirsty smile. “I wouldn’t worry about Officer Hayes.” My father’s name. Or the man who married my mother.
I pause my rocking.
“Artie,” I say carefully.
“Ashlynne,” she singsongs.
“Her ex is the man I believed to be my father.” I lick my dry lips, even in a dream. “What do you mean I wouldn’t worry about him? He died when I was?—”
Oh no.
“You didn’t.” I gasp. “My dad?”
“Don’t be foolish, that man was never your father.” She scoffs. “Oh, look at that. Looks like Sabina is ready for the worms.”
In the next breath I’m back in my little body handing Sabina gummy worms.
I swear if she?—
“Ash,” Sabina calls to me, but her voice has gone haunted.
“Bean?”
“Why did you do it?”
I look up at her, handing over another gummy worm. “Do what?”
“Why’d you torture Kade?”
