Page 38

Kit’s eyes widened. Ah. He hadn’t expected me to know about the oath.

“Do it. Now!” I demanded.

“No!” Torran and Aster said at the same time. I had expected it from Torran, but not Aster.

Kit winked at me—one of the signs that he was about to unleash chaos and would enjoy every second. He tried to step forward, but Torran blocked his path. “There is no stopping this. The fates have a plan this Yule… You feel it too,” said Kit. “Let’s see what they want with her. I’m going along with what my phoenix wants.” His gaze found mine. “He warmed to you when we were flying. Seems the Skyworld needs you, Aliwen of Annatalia. The last phoenix was reborn ten years ago—on the last night of Yule.” He turned to Torran. “There are no more eggs in the hatchery.” Before Torran could stop him, he whipped off his glove and sent a string-thin slither of flame to my ankle.

The gold chain glowed red. Heat seared my skin, and I cried out as my flesh bubbled and burned. And then the chain dropped to the floor.

Everyone watched me apart from Torran, who was glaring at Kit.

“Where’s my cousin?” I asked Kit.

“Zeph took her. Don’t know where, and I don’t know why.” He put his glove back on his right hand. “But according to the phoenix gossip channels, he was hunting an Annatalian.”

The night had just gotten a lot worse. “And…” I didn’t want to say her name out loud in case she was still hidden.

“The other Annatalian Queen-in-waiting?” Kit’s eyes shone with flames. “No idea. It wasn’t any of us who went to claim you both at the wagons. I was getting this one.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “On Smoke, so he could get him here for the antidote.”

“And then you came for me.”

His smile was disarming and utterly beautiful. “Exactly. I came back for you.”

A loud gong sounded, and the Seer shuddered before touching Bronwen’s shoulder. “The night of memory is nearly over. The Binding Name approaches, and the feasts of our birthing year will begin.” She focused on me. “If you want to stay, you must bargain. That’s our way.”

“I’ll mend the book, and I’ll stay while I do. But in return, you’ll help in finding my family. Your visions and your weapons.” Just as Thorn had asked me to do. I would read it first.

Bronwen was shaking her head, but when Torran tilted his chin, she stopped. It was clear he had some power over her, or their objectives with the book were the same.

“This is midwinter—the sun is lost—what will you trade for the light?” And as I spoke another oath spell, the little book hummed against my leg. When I was restoring the codex, I would fix the little book as well.

“You leave for the Borders Library at first light,” said Bronwen.

“Fine,” replied Torran. “We’ll fly her there. Kit seems to like his role as pack horse.”

“I’m not getting into another fucking cage.” I turned to Aster, expecting him to step in, but his focus remained on Torran.

Torran pushed Kit aside. He smelled exactly the same as he had in the Grand Library, except now there was a hint of herbs from his wound. “You’ve always been in a cage. You just chose not to see the bars. At least our cages are honest.”

“Don’t you dare imply you have any integrity. You joined in destroying a whole kingdom! I was there. And I know what happened to the broken women you tracked and returned to the boarding houses.”

“Oh, I’m every bit the monster you think I am, Feather.” The way he said that name implied he had known it all along. “Just like the one I fly with. That’s what happens when we bond… we’re remade. We’re no longer bound to your pitiful existence. You challenge my integrity as if you expect this world to be fair. You’re a child or a fool to believe in such a fairytale.”

Aster froze—the muscles on his arm flexed as if he wanted to reach for his blade.

“Not now.” Bronwen placed a hand on Torran’s shoulder as if to stop him.

But Torran didn’t move. “Annatalia is gone.” He glared at Aster. “She killed without hesitation. She’s as good as dead when they find her. They’ll scent-track her right to your door when you’re meant to be dead—and now she looks like that!” His hard eyes met mine, and then he pointed to Aster. “If you want to risk being found just so you can keep fucking her, then go ahead, but we need that book fixed.”

He spun on Kit. “And you! No more deals with Morlan just to save some witch you met moons ago.” Jabbing a finger in my direction. “Take the oath. Then you go to the library tomorrow at dawn. Mabe saw the vision of the book and the rebel. But did the cursed fates show you who the rebel really was? Or how she’s connected to breaking the curse?”

Mabe merely shrugged. If she knew, she wasn’t saying.

“What did you see?” I asked.

“The sky burns. That’s what I see.” Seers always talked in riddles. “And then everything changes. It is time to take the oath.” She held out her hand, and I took it.

My wrist blazed so brightly it illuminated the room in an unnatural green light, and a swirling symbol etched over my skin.