“So the apostai could, if they wanted to, cut off King Zephyr’s head and take his agate necklace.”
“His guardians would never allow that.”
“Indulge me.”
“It would still be attached to his neck, tethered to his skin. If they did manage to find a way to fully remove it, it would be useless in the hands of anyone else. Only Chosens can access its power. The only damage such a scenario would do is prevent a Chosen from accessing their powers.”
“What if someone loses it? Or destroys it?” Rahzlyn pressed.
“You have a frighteningly vivid imagination,” I told her, wanting to ease the lines between her brows. I clenched my hands instead. “That never has and never will happen. Destroying it isn’t physically possible. Talismans aren’t like other stones. Nothing can penetrate them. Where is this coming from?”
“Never mind,” she said, waving a hand.
“Rahzlyn.”
“It’s probably already been thought of.”
I gently pinched her chin with my thumb and forefinger, blaming the cover of dark for my boldness. I ignored how her little gasp went straight to my chest. “Tell me.”
She chewed her lip, a nervous habit of hers. “Why is it called a ‘curse’? A curse from who?”
“No one knows.”
“I’m only wondering if the curse and the apostai are… connected somehow.”
“You think the apostai are behind the curse?”
“Maybe?”
“Tell me more.” Our gazes held. “I want to know what you’re thinking.”
“Something about Gregorios’s connection to Scorpio beingblockedstrikes me as odd, considering Gregorios isblockedfrom seeing the futures of the apostai. Surely such a magical impedance can’t be a coincidence. What if the brand, like you said, is the link between both?”
When she framed it that way, the similarity was impossible to ignore.
“You think it’s silly,” she said at my silence.
“No, I’m simply surprised I haven’t thought of that myself.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” I frowned, dropping my hand. “Why do you doubt yourself?”
“I’m plenty of things, but smart isn’t one of them. Basil was always?—”
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Compare yourself to him.”
“If you knew him?—”
“I didn’t. But I already know there’s no comparison.”
Her eyes kindled. “Why are you suddenly so determined to disprove my unworthiness, yet seek Maryn’s wrath as if it’s what you deserve?”
In the quiet space between us, I was compelled to share with her a sliver of the burdens that weighed me.
