He shakes his head. “No. Not in the way they do here, anyway.”
“Who are you, Nate?”
“Empress…I don’t think now is the best time.”
I close my eyes and rub my temples for a moment, then let out a long breath. When I open my eyes, I find the guard staring at me. He looks younger today for some reason. Maybe because I just looked death in the eye.
“Whatever it is, please, just tell me. I can’t keep living like this where I’m cut off from the truth from everyone. Juliette’s last words were about finding something out. Something she wanted to tell me. Then she died.”
My voice rises, and my heart races. “Everyone around me is dead or lying to me. I’m surrounded by people I can’t trust while they all want something from me. I’m so tired of being in the dark about everything. So fucking tired of all the lies and half-truths.”
I take a breath and collect myself, then speak quieter. “Whatever it is, Nate. It can’t be as bad as what I just saw.”
“You should sit. I’ll send for tea and make sure the hall is clear. Then, we can talk.” He walks from the room, closing the door behind him.
Charlotte’s breathing is a strange comfort, assuring me that I’m not alone.
“Of course you’re not alone, you’re never really alone.”
The room glows purple and my shoulders slump. Mara’s cool calm voice has become so familiar, I don’t have to see her to know it’s her. “Unless you’re going to explain what happened, I’d rather not right now.”
I turn slowly, catching sight of the purple flames for a second before they return to yellow and orange. Mara stands in front of the fireplace; a raven perched on her shoulder.
She strokes the bird’s head, then gently runs her finger down its beak. The creature cocks its head to the side, as if leaning into the touch.
My brows furrow. There’s something strange about the bird. A familiar sort of vibration in my chest. I know it. It was just there in the hall, until it was suddenly gone. “Is that Juliette?”
“Isn’t she a stunning raven?” Mara smiles at her new pet like a proud mother.
My chest tightens. “Why? Why did you take her?”
“I thought you might be happy to be rid of her. She did betray you after all.” The goddess shrugs, but her attention is still on the raven she’s stroking.
“She did, but that doesn’t mean I wanted her dead.”
“So only some betrayals are worth a life?” Mara’s gaze cuts through me like ice.
I wince. “There’s a difference. She thought she was doing the right thing. She didn’t intend to get anyone killed.”
“That’s the fascinating thing about you humans. You all think your cause is the just one. That your wants and desires areworthy above all others. That it’s everyone else who is wrong.” She looks over at me.
“No, you’re wrong. Some things are just wrong,” I say.
She smirks. “You see? You’re so quick to justify your cause.”
“I thought you wanted me to bring this empire down.” It was what I wanted, too, but now I’m starting to doubt everything. I’m tired and fighting defeat. Every time I get closer, something else draws me farther away.
“Oh, I do. But only because it brings about what I want. And since I am Death, what I want really is the only outcome that matters. You see, if it helps me, I will end anyone I see fit.”
My eyes meet the beady black eyes of the raven. I bite down on my lip to keep myself from saying something I might regret. The bird caws suddenly, then flaps her wings wildly.
“Hush, my darling, hush. You can fly soon.” Mara calms the raven, then returns to me. “She’s eager, this one. I think she has a lot to prove.”
“Can she remember? Does she know who she is?” I ask.
“No. Only her purpose and drive. She had a lot of unfinished business. She’ll fulfill that by helping me. Then she can find peace.”
“That’s what the ravens do?” It’s actually kind of beautiful.
