Reese had not told mehiscatalyst.
"Knowing your catalyst might help," I blurted out. "Is it something personal?"
His shoulders seized up, and his fingers tensed on the doorknob.
Saint's breath. Why had I said that?
"Yes," Reese said, jaw tightening, guarded.
More than personal. It hurt for him to even dwell on it.
"If you can't sleep, look inside," he said, hand on the door. "Find out who you truly are. And remember, we wake at first starlight."
I glanced back at the stream before stepping inside. The silver fronds of the willow trees still gleamed, though Reese had dismissed his motes of sunlight.
An unseen glow seemed to shine on them, as though beckoning me to return to the darkness.
As though promising to tell me who I was.
Chapter 16
Mare
Iwas beginning to realize Paragon Tiernan had a sincere soul. We'd returned to our room and disturbed the fog of silence hanging over the inn by dragging a cot over creaky floorboards.
Lying here, in the darkness, I could feel warmth from both the crackling hearth and the man sleeping beside me. Reese had pushed our beds together, turning two into one. My heart thundered against my ribcage; my fingers trembled.
I'd never been religious. My birth year had seen the burning of the Saints' shrines and the building of Solathair's cathedrals. Those who'd resisted the change had been hunted by Inquisitors and bound to stakes.
Under the cathedral's vaulted ceiling, I'd knelt in the shadowed corridors with Liam. Light spilled from candles above, framing only the altar in light. A statue of Solathair at the head of the room, a porcelain marvel sprouting brilliant wings, bathed in their golden glow.
The metaphor in the imagery was impossible to miss. Liam never missed his chance to make a snide comment when Father forced us to attend.
How little mind I'd paid the sermons, back then. Tuning the priests out, staring at the floor, counting motes of dust to pass the time. Once, I'd felt a shiver run down my spine, though I hadn't known why.
I shifted on the cot, tracing the Paragon's outline, the little hills and valleys of his hair, the rise of his shoulder. Fear choked in my throat, and I shifted away from him, choosing cold isolation over the sudden rush of panic.
Though fast asleep, Reese rolled over, crossing the gap I'd created. Heat pooled over my back once more.
Father said the saints had once gleaned the future in every stir of the wind, in every falling leaf. Was this, then, a warning? Now that the holy Paragon had me, he'd always find me.
No matter how far I ran away.
Faint,silver light spilled from the black firmaments as first starlight arrived. I’d hoped Reese would take pity on me and let me sleep in, but no such luck had blessed me. Closing my eyes, I listened to the breeze rustling the willow trees and clutched Cierthine tightly.
I waited for the magic to feel right, for it to surge up within me.
A few moments passed, blanketed in silence.
Opening one eye, I looked around, hoping to glimpse some kind of awe-inspiring magic.
Nothing.
Perhaps I'd been hoping for too much. Most people did not lie down to sleep one night and awaken with the truths of their souls in hand.
I sighed heavily. Swiveling, I opened my mouth to address Reese, and saw his sword diving for my throat.
Lifting Cierthine, I blocked his blade and staggered back.
