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“You didn’t take that as an answer, though. I then told you that what I really wanted was to see if Theo felt the same way I did. If he could feel the constant pulling toward one another. Which is why you embarrassed me by the river the next day by asking him. Subtlety has never been your strong suit,” I laugh as she lowers back to her seat. Her face pales as she breathes heavily.
“But then Theo kissed me for the first time, and it was one of the best moments of my life. I never got the chance to thank you for that,” I say, fighting the urge to grab her hand and squeeze it. Her bright-blue eyes shine with unshed tears.
“How do you know that? I never told anyone about ...” her voice trails off as she stares at me.
“Because it’s really me, Junie. Are you ready to hear the truth about what happened?” I ask, hoping she is. She gives me the slightest nod, and I take a deep breath.
I tell Junie everything from the past ten years but spare her some of the gruesome details. From her shifting expression, she understands without me needing to expand further. Which is what’s best for both of us. She doesn’t need to know all the horrors I went through, and I don’t need to retell them. We have time now, though. We lost so much time because two power-hungry kings stole it from us.
“You’ve been alive this whole time,” Junie says, anger coursing through her tone. “You let us suffer and grieve for you while you watched from the shadows. Theo punished himself every day because he thought he failed you.” Words laced with venom spew from her, causing my frustration to grow with their bite.
“You don’t think I wanted to tell you? I wanted my life back. I wanted to be free from the shackles that I wore every day—to step out of the shadows and be me again. But you barely believe me now with the antidote, imagine what would have happened if I told you without it,” I sneer, clenching my fist hard enough for my nails to nip my palm.
She leans back in her chair, shoulders sagging with my harsh words. “Why now then? Why even tell us at all?”
“I’ve been searching for an antidote since Oren died three years ago. Since I became queen and death liberated me from his control. But I couldn’t find it on my own,” I answer, letting my sorrow rise to the surface. Junie closes her eyes as if it’s all too much to bear.
“And this,” I say, pulling my necklace out of my shirt. Junie opens her eyes, and they immediately widen in surprise. She reaches forward, trying to grab it.
“That was supposed to be buried with Eleanor,” she snaps with a furrowed brow. Her eyes slowly raise to mine. “She ...”
“I know, Junie. I was there. But so was your father,” I say, causing her to flinch.
“No,” she answers, shaking her head. “He wouldn’t.”
“He did. Leopold helped Oren orchestrate everything. From me being kidnapped to them murdering my mother in front of me. That’s why I know finding this is a message, a threat, to me and my kingdom.” I fight to keep my tone down, but a few patrons still glance my way.
“How do you know that? He could be trying to get it back to you,” she says, arching an eyebrow.
“Then why did he hide it in a trove safe inside Lux and tell everyone in the realm we took it?” I retort, narrowing my eyes at her.
“That’s the amulet?” she asks. I give her a curt nod. “And you found it in our trade post.” Another nod from me. Her breath quickens, and she swallows hard. “Did you kill that man? The shopkeeper?”
“Yes,” I reply through gritted teeth. Her breath hitches as she stares at me, appalled by my actions.
“You murdered him. Why?” she retorts.
“Because he sat by and watched his king send guard after guard to my land to die. He allowed innocent people to lose their lives because he refused to ask questions. He chose money and power over the lives of his people.” I pause to compose myself.
“If he spoke up, I wouldn’t have needed to bury your men in my soil. He had their blood on his hands and deserved punishment for it.” My shadows vibrate beneath my skin at the need for revenge.Make them pay.
“Thank you.” Junie’s soft voice breaks my downward spiral. “Since you know our traditions, I assume you gave them a proper burial?” she says with a soft knowing smile. A simple gesture of her gratitude that cracks something inside me.
“One Astra could be proud of,” I answer, and she gives me a nod.
We sit in awkward silence for a moment, neither of us knowing what to say next. Too many years have passed between us. I had hoped we could start anew, but my heart breaks thinking we may never get that chance.
“Theo’s alive and safe, though? He’s happy?” she asks. Her features soften as she brings her gaze back to me. I can’t stop the smile that curls my lips remembering the past month spent with Theo in my kingdom.
“Then who did we bury?” she asks softly, and my eyebrows raise. “My father told me King Asher killed him and left his mutilated body at his door. He didn’t want me to see what was done to Theo, so I never got to say goodbye. But he’s not dead?”
Tears stream down her face as she looks at me for confirmation. “He’s not, Junie. He’s with me, enjoying days of endless reading.” I give her a smile as her bottom lip trembles. “I’d never let anything happen to him. I’d destroy this realm for Theo, Juju. And for you,” I answer, meaning every word. She closes her eyes, taking in everything.
“I don’t know how to feel. This is all so confusing. I’m not mad at you. I’m hurt. And scared.” She looks how I feel, broken and raw.
“All I know is that I’m so angry with my father. He’s hurt so many people I love for his own sick games.” Her anger returns, but thankfully, this time she doesn’t direct it at me. “He needs to be stopped. I’ll help you. I’ll figure out whatever he’s planning so we can end this.”
“Figuring things out together, just like when we were children,” I smirk at how normal it all feels.
