“Caleb!” Priya screamed, squirming and writhing at Caleb’s other side. On my right, I heard a groan of agony from Quinn, but I didn’t dare look away from the man looming above Cal.
Father approached me then, leaning down and wiping the blade across my cloak before sheathing it once more. “Join me, and I’ll let them live. Join me, and I’ll let you keep your littleof eadi.I’ll give you all you’ve ever wanted, so long as you win this war with me.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Nova
“No one knows, but I’ve been studying forbidden magic.”
-From the journal of Nova Tershetta, 9266 AS
Jonah’s hand tightened around my forearm as he practically dragged me through the castle, my shouts of protests and flying fist apparently not enough to slow him down.
“Where are you taking me? Where is Az? Where is my sister? Where is everyone else? Bring me back! We need to help the rebels and the cores!” I was screaming, belligerent as I twisted and yanked my arm. It was no use, Jonah only continued to pull me through winding corridors with stone walls and gold-framed portraits. I couldn’t convince my eyes to focus on any of them, though I could feel my interest piquing the further we went. Still, I willed myself to continue fighting, if only to say I didn’t give up.
By the time Jonah had grown annoyed enough to stop and throw me over his shoulder, I was already beginning to lose my voice. It crackled as I slammed my fists into his back, both begging for and demanding answers that I wouldn’t receive.
That was, until a set of guards in silver parted the double doors before us, mumbling something too low and quick for me to make out. Jonah tossed me to the ground, letting me land on my back. Air whooshed out of me, my spine aching as tears sprouted in my eyes. Rolling, I tried to convince my gaze tofocus, catching sight of Desi’s wide, brown eyes from where she knelt nearby.
“Nova, are you okay? Stars, Jonah, why did you have to throw her like that?” Desi asked, her hands pressing into my cheeks, magic buzzing through me. Celeste’s scraped and bruised face came into view after, her shaking hands stroking the crown of my head.
Mama used to do that.
“She was hitting me and screaming. What else was I supposed to do?”
“She’s scared. Give her a bit of grace!”
“The only grace is him. I don’t bow to her, and I surely don’t offer her kindness she doesn’t deserve.”
I followed his gaze, my eyes landing on a burly man with golden silk draped over his heavy torso, perfectly straight, black locks traveling down his back. He had the same markings on his face as Desi, but atop his head he wore a crown.
“You’re…you’re the Dremly heir, aren’t you?” I asked, disbelief straining my voice further. Desi grimaced, her face tightening as she helped me sit up. Zura was just behind her, Death eyeing me from her hands. Not even Celeste’s soft humming could hold my attention as Desi’s tattoos once more stole my focus.
Ihadrecognized the markings on her face, but not from personal experience. Rather, I’d seen them depicted in a book once. The Dremly line utilized those markings to symbolize milestones and family lineage. They marked their faces for the world to see their hard-won accomplishments and to show the strength of their bloodline—the might of the royal family.
“Desiree, explain yourself,” the king said, his eyes hard and his lips turned down, his perfectly sculpted beard and mustache framing the frown.
At my side, Desi sighed, nodding. “The rebel base was attacked, Father. We had no other choice but to come home. The commander betrayed us. She planned to kill all shaytan.”
“Interesting. And who does the Commander expect to put on the throne?” King Amori asked, his voice oddly calm. Almost indifferent. Maybe he’d already guessed?
“Seeing as Nova killed her, no one. Though, maybe she’d have let Stefan or Kaleel rule. Either way, it doesn’t matter now.”
I cringed, wishing I could turn back time. Celeste, who I feared would hate me for what I did, only continued to stroke my hair, her eyes watering.
“Well, perhaps that’s for the best.” The king stood, his arms lacing behind his back. Slowly, he made his way down the pale steps of the dais, his shoes clicking and his eyes locked on mine. I waited with baited breath, my heart loud in my ears. When he stopped above me, I bowed my head, so many thoughts swirling in my mind that I felt dizzy. “Hello, Nova Tershetta. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Hopefully at least half of them are positive,” I said without thinking. The king chuckled, his brows rising as he nodded.
“Most of them were, actually. Your sister is quite fond of you, and so is my daughter.” Suddenly, he dropped to his knees, reaching his hands out, palms up. Tentatively, I placed my hands in his, feeling a burn in my eyes. Stars, I missed Dad. “I think I’ll like you too, Nova. You’ve reminded me of something that I forgot long ago. Something worth believing in.”
“What’s that?” I asked, my voice a crackling whisper—a burning fire.
The king drew closer, his lips lifting in the faintest grin. “That I don’t have to be a coward just because the world wants me to be.”
A startled laugh bubbled out of my mouth, my eyes blinking rapidly as I nodded my head. “Yes, I think that’s a good thing to remember.”
“Now, Jonah, I think you and I should speak privately about your part in the rebel commander’s plans.” Above us, Jonah dipped into a bow, his eyes closing as he did. The king patted my cheek, standing after and waving for Jonah to follow. Just as they reached a door at the far end of what I assumed was a throne room, the king turned and said, “You know, Nova, you remind me a lot of a story I read once. One about a boy in a forest.”
