“Rumors spread among our lovely counterparts then,” Syrena pivoted the conversation back. “So, we decided it would be best if Azarian made himself scarce for a while. To be somewhere Asyris couldn’t find him. We would’ve been labeled as traitors if we were found harboring one of Malya’s Cursed. He couldn’t be found in Maerinys,” Syrena admitted.
Esmyra’s stare moved to and from each of them as they took turns telling the story, keeping quiet as she listened.
Azarian nodded. “So, in the meantime, I traveled to the other kingdoms, learning lore their gods kept secret from the others, in hopes of bringing you unmatched power.”
Esmyra’s lips parted. “And did it work?”
Syrena cleared her throat. “Well, we were executed for a reason now, weren’t we?”
“Aye. It appears so.” Her brows furrowed. “What did you mean though, by witches being what the High Priests are known as today?”
Syrena and Azarian glanced at one another, realizing they may have said too much.
“The Veil of Visions told me,” Syrena admitted. “When the gods fled this world, they mimicked what Malya had done, renaming them as priests and priestesses.”
“They live their days out in the temples in servitude to them,” Azarian added. “And with their sacrifice, they were gifted that same subtle power connecting them to their kingdom’s god.”
“And that magic is the same as yours?”
“No, it’s not.” Azarian chuckled. “My magic comes from the Goddess of Death, and with it, I have the ability to manipulate such. Hence knowing how to complete the soul bonding ritual along with the merging that took place in the crypt.”
Esmyra’s eyes slowly widened as they darted back and forth between the two of them.
He let out a sigh as he stood. “But I think that’s enough for today.”
Thank fuck,Syrena thought.
“You’ll need to stay here for a while,” Azarian continued. “Your power will get stronger as your strength returns.”
Esmyra gave him a dip of her chin, but she said nothing. Azarian then turned from them and left the room.
Now the twins were alone in the chamber as Syrena played the part of doting, worried sister. Truthfully, the only thing she was worried about was the possibility that someone could’ve killed Esmyra before she had the chance to. And all her power would’ve gone to waste—everythingshe worked for would’ve been ruined.
Syrena sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m glad that all made sense to you, Sister.”
Esmyra’s eyes flared suddenly, a bit of fire lighting within them. “Is his connection to Malya the same way Draevyn is connected to Irah?”
Syrena sucked in a breath through her nostrils, trying to steady her slipping patience. “No, it isn’t. Draevyn was granted a piece ofIrah’s soul, not a subtle magic in servitude. He holds significantly more power than Azarian, or any High Priest for that matter.”
The rage in Esmyra’s eyes settled as quickly as it came, and she let out a low whistle. “A lot of moving pieces.”
“Indeed,” Syrena said before blowing out a breath. “Speaking of that wretched man… I need you to start from the beginning. What happened in Lephyrin?”
She was thankful her sister jumped right in, halting her pestering questions.
Esmyra spoke of how she raisedThe Night Wraiththat had sunk several miles offshore, and her crew was nowhere to be found. And when she arrived in Lephyrin, it was during their annual tithe, granting her access into the castle by using her shifting abilities. She recalled killing the king, damning him for murdering her father in cold blood.
But then she paused.
Syrena sucked on her tooth. “So, where do the velsinyte bullets come into play?” It was the only thing reeling through her mind.
Esmyra sucked in a breath. “There’s more, before we even get to that.” She brought her knees up to her chest, holding them tight. Syrena didn’t miss the wince her wounds caused her.
She placed her hand gently on Esmyra’s knee. “What is it?”
Esmyra’s eyes lifted to hers. “Have you ever been compelled?”
Syrena’s fingers tightened faintly around her sister’s knee before she could stop herself. A pulse of heat went through her chest, sharp and cold all at once. Instinct screamed that Esmyra was testing her. That perhaps her memories of the ritual weren’t as sealed as she had hoped.
