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Eleanor grabs Lily’s arms, hard, causing Lily’s face to twist in pain. I step closer, wanting to protect her like she did me.
“You must never use your power ever again. Do you understand me, Lily?” Eleanor’s voice is harsh.
Lily doesn’t respond, and she shakes in her mother’s grasp.
“You must never let them out again, Lilith. Tuck them deep into the darkest hole inside of you and never let them see the light of day. Do you understand?” Eleanor’s words echo in the sparsely decorated space.
Lily’s palpable panic causes my own heartrate to increase in response.
“Yes, I understand. But I don’t know how I use or control them. They just came out of me,” Lily replies weakly.
Eleanor finally releases her, and I place a hand on Lily’s shoulder, trying to comfort her. Eleanor leans back on her feet and looks up at me. Those dark-green eyes look directly at my soul.
“You were protecting Theo, weren’t you?” Eleanor asks both of us.
Lily and I glance at each other before she nods.
She was protecting me, and I her.
Eleanor nods in understanding before her eyes fall to the floor for a moment, as if deep in thought.
“Divinus powers protect those connected to them—their Amari—and even the ones they hold dear. Your power felt your fear and protected both of you. Your heart, body, and soul control your power. The shadows are yours to wield and control, but they can also act on your will if needed,” Eleanor imparts this knowledge as if reading from a book.
I look down at Lily as she fidgets with her damp hair.My flower. My goddess.I’m helplessly in love with her and my heart hums at the sight. I’m hers, utterly and completely.
Lily’s hands fall from her hair as she stares at her mother.
“Where do you think the power came from? Could it have been from my father?” Lily asks innocently.
Eleanor stiffens at the question, jaw clenching tight.
“No,” she answers as her eyes turn cold as stone, and she speaks through clenched teeth.
Just as quickly, Eleanor’s eyes soften again, and a small smile curls her lips as she leans forward, picking up a strand of Lily’s hair.
“No, I think the legends of red hair being the gods’ favorite are true, and the shadow god has blessed you. I always knew you were special, and it seems the gods agree,” Eleanor preens.
She drops the strand of hair as her eyes study Lily.
“But we know how angry the kings can get if someone new shows any sign of being a divinus. King Leopold would be upset to learn a servant’s daughter descended into her god-given power before his own daughter. He can’t find out,” Eleanor says gently.
Both Lily and I nod our heads, letting her know we understand the dangers of anyone outside these chambers finding out about Lily’s power. I make a silent vow to never speak of it unless we’re truly alone.
Eleanor stands abruptly, dusting off her legs. “I need to go run an errand,” she says, walking to her quarters.
Lily and I glance at each other with furrowed brows. A drawer clicks closed on the other side of the doorway, then Eleanor steps back into the common space. She shoves a crystal into the pocket of her dress as she walks back toward us. A glimmer of purple catches the light before it’s put away.
“I will be back before dinner tonight to celebrate your birthday, Lily. You’re going to be hungry, so grab a few things out of the cabinet to tide you over until we eat this evening,” she instructs.
We nod our heads but remain silent, still confused by her abrupt departure.
Eleanor gives Lily a kiss on the forehead, and me a pat on my arm before walking out the door. The latch clicks shut and neither of us move.
“Where do you think she is going?” I ask, turning to Lily, who’s still staring at the door.
“I don’t know. How did she know I was hungry?” She looks up at me questioningly.
“You need to eat something, and we both need to change out of these damp clothes,” I say, offering her a hand to rise, and she accepts it. She’s much more stable, having gained some of her strength back.
