“They’re all beautiful. Thank you,” I say.
“You can explore the box more when you reach your rooms. There’s a few more surprises in there for you.” Jacques smiles, then steps away from me.
“Thank you.” I stand, keeping the box close to my body. I’m worried I’ll drop it and damage the box itself or the fortune worth of jewelry inside.
“Of course.” He inclines his head. “I’m at your service, Your Majesty. For anything you might need.”
I have the feeling he’s meaning something beyond jewelry, but I can’t tell if that’s in my head. Or if it would be something that I’d want his assistance with. What is he trying to tell me?I wish he’d say it but nothing is that easy around here. “Thank you. Please, stay for the evening so you don’t have to make the journey back tonight.”
“You’re too kind, but that won’t be necessary. My carriage is prepared to take me into town tonight. I have to be back in the city quickly.”
“Very well, I wish you a safe journey. And if there’s any provisions you need, please ask. The servants will be happy to provide anything you require.” I have no idea if that’s what a royal would say.
Jacques smiles and bows. “It was a pleasure seeing you again, Your Majesty.”
“This way, sir, I’ll have one of the guards escort you.” Nate leads Jacques to the door, then another guard takes the jeweler down the hall and out of view.
I consider trying to get more information out of Nate while we’re walking toward my rooms alone, but I’m too curious about what’s inside the box.
“Do you need me to call for anything?” Nate asks when we reach my room.
“No, thank you.” I slip inside, then as soon as the door closes, I hurry to the small table. Carefully, I set the box down, then begin to examine it for other openings. Along the bottom, there’s a carefully hidden seam. Gold vines and flowers are painted over it, the edges matching perfectly.
Dragging my fingers along it, I search for a way to open it. Then I find a small button. When I press it, a compartment pops out for me to take hold of and pull it the rest of the way open.
Inside, on more of the same black velvet are the daggers Brevan gave me. They’re clean and polished, the blue stones winking up at me cheerfully, unaware of the blood they’ve spilled.
My heart hammers against my ribs, and I hesitate. How are these here? Last time I saw these, they were tucked into my pockets on my wedding day. Caiden took them while I was sleeping. Was he returning them to me or had someone else found them and smuggled them to me? Had Brevan found them and ensured I got them back?
Fingers trembling, I reach for the first blade. Where it once said,princess, it now saysempress.A lump forms in my throat, making it difficult to swallow. I drop the blade, and it clinks against the other one.
I stare at it for what is probably several minutes before I pick up the second one.
My breath leaves, and I blink several times to make sure I’m seeing correctly.
Engraved among the blue stones is my name. My real name.Taylan. I touch the letters and my throat tightens. It’s so hard being two people all the time. I sometimes worry that I’ll forget who I once was entirely. That my whole purpose and my family will die along with the name my mother gave me.
Tears form as I trace my name. Whoever returned these to me gave me a gift beyond the blades themselves. They see me for who I am, even as I’m forgetting parts of myself.
A chill runs down my arms and inky black tendrils wrap around the daggers. Startled, I drop the blade, but the shadows continue, pouring out of me, swirling around the box, then flooding into the room until everything goes dark.
Twenty-Eight
Brevan
The weatherworn stone tower looms ahead of us, taunting me. Nobody knows who built the structure or what exactly it’s made of, we only know it’s ancient. And that the stones used in its construction eliminate magic. Well, for most people. My sister’s is significantly muted, but every year, she’s grown stronger. Or the stone affected her less.
There’s tension hanging around us making the air feel thick. I tell myself it’s the salt from the sea, or the steely discomfort between myself and Caiden, but I know it’s not. It’s something else. Somethingwrong.
I slow to a halt, and Caiden stops next to me. My horse stomps his feet anxiously. “It’s alright, Darkfall.” I pat his neck, trying to reassure him.
“They sense it too.” Caiden’s own horse is acting similarly to mine, and he’s doing his best to comfort the stallion, but animals are always a little weary of him.
When we were children, he had such a way with all creatures. Until his magic came in suddenly while he was hiding from his father in the barn. His beloved dog and her puppies were all killed. Along with several of his father’s prized steeds. The only living thing that emerged from the shadows that day was Caiden himself.
“It’s quiet,” he says.
“I don’t see any guards.”
