“He would rather use it as an opportunity to elicit fear rather than show weakness. If people knew a Circle member had been captured, it would make him look vulnerable,” Ryder answers as he stands up. “I have to get back.”
“That’s the last one.” I shoot up from my seat and rush over to Artemus, who has been helping me decode the hidden message in my father’s letter for the past hour. “Wait,” he says, reaching for the letter as I pick it up from the table in front of him.
I reread the beginning of the letter, making my way to the hidden message. By now I practically have the first part memorized by heart.
My dearest, Reign,
If you’re reading this, I’m sure you have an endless sea of questions. I wish I could answer them all for you, but just know that I’ve only ever wanted the best for you. You are the best thing to have ever happened to your mother and me. I need you to be strong now. You may feel alone for a while, but just know that your mother and I are always with you. When the time comes, decipherthe hidden message below.
My heart clenches slightly as I read back his words that I have kept with me all these years. Suddenly, part of me doesn’t want to read the decoded message. It’s the last thing I have from him.
For so long, I thought I would never see him again. Now, I cling to the hope that he’s still alive in the Shadow Lands, waiting for me. With that thought, I continue reading.
Reign, you have always and will always be my daughter. Your mother and I planned on telling you together one day once you were older, but it seems we won’t have that privilege. We wanted a child more than anything in this world, but it wasn’t so simple for us. After years of not being able to get pregnant, your mother and I went to see the Divinity Oracle. It was not without a price, but one we were willing to pay. The Oracle led us to you, our greatest gift. You are a rarity, and you deserve to know the truth. Three drops of your blood to this parchment will reveal a map to the Divinity Oracle. It is there you will find your answers.
Just know that whatever the Oracle tells you doesn’t change the fact that you are our daughter. No matter the path, our souls found you for a reason. I will love you forever and always.
Until we meet again.
When I look up at Artemus, I don’t feel as though I’m in my body anymore. This wasn’t written for me. It couldn’t have been.
“Are you okay?” Artemus is waiting for me to answer, but I can’t seem to find words. I feel frozen. Like time has completely stopped. “Reign. Come back to me.” I hardly feel my body moving as he shakes my shoulders, trying to pull me out of my paralysis.
“He couldn’t have written this.” It’s all I say, and it’s barely a whisper.
“It’s okay. We’re going to figure this out,” Artemus reassures as he guides me to sit down.
“There’s nothing to figure out. It simply isn’t true.”
I stand up and grab my daggers on my way out the door.
It’s early evening when Ryder appears in front of the body target, catching my dagger before it has a chance to land between his eyes.
“I think you’ve had enough throwing practice for one day,” he says as he walks over to me. “Tilly’s made dinner.”
He grabs the other dagger from my hand, and I don’t stop him. When we walk back into the house, there’s an air of awkwardness. It’s like everyone is holding their breath, unsure of what to say.
“So, how are things in the kingdom?” Jace finally asks Ryder.
“Things have settled down. There’s almost no talk of a rebellion anymore.”
“Well, that’s good news,” Artemus chimes in. “They won’t see the attack coming then.”
“Even so, we need to continue to take extra precautions until then,” Ryder warns.
The others continue to make small talk throughout dinner, and I’m thankful when none of them direct conversation my way.
“Thank you for dinner, Tilly.”
“Oh, you’re welcome, dear! I’m glad you enjoyed it,” she replies in her usual cheerful voice.
“Care to join me for a walk?” Ryder asks as he hands Tilly his emptyplate.
“Do I have a choice?”
“Not really,” he answers with a slight curve of his mouth that gets under my skin.
“Fine.”
