Rahzlyn shrugged away the contact, much to Felaf’s disappointment.
“But do not forget,” Gregorios added, “that if after twelve months you have not been able to wieldhudro,you and your family will still be sacrificed.”
Water glistened in her eyes. “And my brother?”
“From all you’ve told us, it’s possible he’s dead,” Gregorios answered. “Or still captive. Our priority will be capturing an apostate, here in Scorpio, who can reveal anything we need to know about Serpentine, the brand, and other notable hideouts that could be right under our own noses. With that information we’ll notify Maryn and then the other courts, who will pressure King Zephyr to infiltrate Serpentine and arrest any apostates caught there. Whatever King Zephyr’s alleged affiliation is will not matter if he helps bring down the apostai and rescue your brother—barring he's even alive, and still their prisoner.”
With a stiff upper lip, Rahzlyn said, “I’d like to be alone now.”
“Of course.” Gregorios wobbled to his feet, with all three of us reaching out to help steer him.
“What of her natal chart?” Felaf reminded Gregorios. “How will you create a real one without being able to use Blood Sight?”
“My tarot cards will help deduce most placements,” he said, addressing Rahzlyn. “The rest we’ll have to fabricate. Your first lessons begin tomorrow with the tutors. The advisors will ask them to dive into your chart to assess your personality. I’ll do my best to forge one that is as accurate as possible, but you must not give them any reason to suspect you were born and raised in Gemini.”
Rahzlyn rubbed her arms.
“Your grandparents might know your true natal date,” I said, staring at her profile. “We’ll question them once they arrive.”
Rahzlyn’s eyes flicked to meet mine. She held them there warningly. “Definequestion.”
“We wouldn’t torture them,” Felaf clarified.
Gregorios nodded. “I’ll convince Maryn to approve your leave to retrieve them.”
The sun sank beyond the towering walls of the palace as we departed the queen’s chambers. I cast one last glance in Rahzlyn’s direction.
Her back was to us—shoulders hunched and shaking.
The sight softened a dormant piece of me, troubling me more than I cared to admit. I rubbed at my chest, and turned away.
Chapter 31
Rahzlyn
Even with the breezy,open chamber allowing the wind’s soft music to reach my ears, I could not settle myself. I refused to believe Basil was dead. So as I tossed and turned throughout the night, it wasn’t my brother’s face pestering me from sleep.
It was Kole’s.
Did he know about the apostai’s connection to Serpentine?Reflecting back, it was obvious he’d been there before. I thought of all our nights spent in his bed, and I wondered if he had a brand all along. Mine was impossible to see now—but I felt it with every step, like I did my glyphs with every breath.
I wanted to shed my body of its skin and free myself from these burdens.
Kole never spoke about the apostai. Then again, if what I believed was true, he wouldn’t have been able to. I thought back to the Stinky Boot and everyone in it. The only whispers I’d gleaned of Serpentine came from the Stinky Boot. Even duringTempus, no one wore yellow to honor Gemini. The songs sung there were not tales of the Astrals.
I buried my face into the silken pillow. My heart couldn’t take the thought of such deceit. Maybe Kole didn’t know, and hereally was trying to help me get a job—as gratitude for how I’d supported him and Mel through their grief.
Regardless, I couldn’t reveal Kole’s name and brand him an apostate if he wasn’t one. That would break Mel, who had already lost enough in her life.
Still, it was bothersome that of all people, Raithe was the only person capable of bypassing the dark magic imbuing the brand on my foot. Maybe weshouldhave let him strip naked to prove he didn’t also bear the?—
My body heated.No. I was not going there. Picturing Raithe naked was too visceral. Too appealing, when it should have had the opposite effect. He was rude and infuriating and entirely off-limits.
“Breakfast!” Felaf announced in a sing-song voice upon entering my chamber. I sat upright, grateful for the intrusion to deter unwanted thoughts.
Beside her, Letti rolled her eyes and set a tray down at the foot of the massive bed.
“Not a morning person?” I asked.
