Tension pulls my shoulders taut. “Arina…”
“I know my magic is still not quite what it was…but I’m better than most, clearly, given how the last reading went.”
My stomach knots. “Given how the last reading went, I don’t think we should.”
“Clara, you can’t avoid the future just because it might contain something you won’t like.”
“I know.” I sigh heavily. “But I’m not ready for another reading yet. Maybe once another vessel is made and there’s no longer any choice.”
“Very well.” She doesn’t argue, but she doesn’t move; she simply stares at me, as if making sure I won’t change my mind.
I don’t, and take my leave as Thal returns.
Before I know it, I’m emerging into Kaelis’s apartments. But he’s not there. Not in his office, or dining room, or even my old wing.
Drifting like an uneasy ghost, I finally settle on one of the couches in his main room and lie down, allowing my whole body to go limp. Priss wastes no time hopping up to join me. The rumble of her purr and the softness of her fur somehow make everything else seem less…horrible. If this adorable little creature exists, then maybe I can survive another day.
I’m not sure how much time has passed when Kaelis finally enters through his main doors. He strides with purpose but immediately comes to a halt the moment his eyes land on me. I sit, gently relocating Priss from my chest to the cushion next to me. She has none of it and scampers off, indignant that I’d dare violate the sacred laws of a sleeping cat and move her.
Kaelis studies me. Without a word, he crosses, sitting at my side and shifting a leg around me. He pulls me to him, having me lean back upon his sturdy chest. I don’t resist. I melt into him and let myself be held. Let his jaw rest against my head as we both stare into the flames.
“What is it?” he murmurs.
“That obvious?”
“You weren’t trying to hide it.” His long fingers caress up and down my forearms.
“I don’t try to hide much from you anymore,” I admit.
“Excellent. I appreciate that we’re not wasting time.” He plants a kiss on my hair. A thin and tired laugh escapes me. I can feel his smile. “So, care to be more specific?”
“I…” Even though I’m terrified, I gather my courage—he braved telling me his deepest secrets, I can do the same. “I found out who my father is.”
“What?” Kaelis shifts but doesn’t release me. Instead, he holds me tighter. “Or, rather, who?”
“Lord Moreus Ventall.”
There is an appropriately long pause. Then, one word from him: “Fuck.”
A slightly more sincere laugh now, but still quite bitter. “That’s about the sum of my feelings.”
“He never struck me as the type.” Surprise is laced in his words.
“Not that I know him well, but he certainly wouldn’t have been on my short list of contenders for my father.” I stare into the flames, replaying every moment I’ve had with Moreus. The way his eyes went right to me during the winter celebrations I attended at the castle,widening I thought with recognition from All Coins Day. But it was more than that…
My words grow softer, barely more than a whisper. “Do you think he knew it was me last year?” I already know it in my heart, but I want to hear him say it.
“I do.”
“He seemed to be instantly suspicious for no reason,” I muse.
“More than that.” Kaelis’s words take on an even more somber and serious tone than I’d expected. I twist, looking up at him, but he’s intensely focused on the flames. “He was the one who came to me after Ravin caught you following the Feast of Cups ball.”
“What?” I pull myself upright to meet his eyes.
“He said that Ravin was going to kill you and that he prevented it, but he feared what might happen.” Kaelis runs a hand through his hair. “I thought it was merely the High Lord overseeing the Stellis going above and beyond by ensuring that another royal knew of what had occurred. I didn’t think it relevant, or I would’ve told you sooner.”
“I don’t blame you, Kaelis.” I rest my hand on his knee and stare off, trying to remember those hazy final moments in the townhome.
