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“Yes, and you can alter any memory from any man, any woman, so we should use our mesmer.”
“We have for too long and have lost too many. This is the path, Sig. I will see it through. And you, my fierce love, will do the same.” He kissed her palm, a grim smile on his face.
My mother closed her eyes, voice soft as she said, “You must hide the crown. They cannot take it.”
“I will do what I can. But they are close.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Should it fall to our enemies, have faith it will find her again.”
“Lord Jonas.” A woman rushed into the tent, breathless. On her hip she balanced a plump boy, no older than a turn, but his eyes . . . they were blackened by misty shadows.
“Kase.” His name slid out of my throat.
“They’re coming,” the woman said.
“Anja.” My father sheathed a sword and strode over to the woman. He smiled at her child,at Kase, and ruffled his messy tuft of hair. “Go with Lady Sig. Tonight our fears will be realized, and we begin a new path of fate.”
Anja blinked her teary eyes toward my mother. “No. This . . . this isn’t right.”
“You swore to me you’d look after the princess.”
Anja hugged little Kase tighter against her body. “I will, always, but I-I-I can’t lose you both. Not like Sander.”
My father rested a hand on her shoulder. “He died with honor, Anja. Without Sander, we would never have retrieved the crown.” My father looked at the ring. “It is likely that our fight is lost. But if she is safe, then she will have time to grow. Time to strengthen. Time for them both to become who they were meant to be before the crown is restored. These children will restore our legacy.”
A quick tap of Kase’s nose had the boy giggling.
“He will be greater than even his father,” Jonas said. “A master of darkness to lead forward a queen of shadows.”
“We don’t know if he will have the same strength of mesmer as Sander,” Anja whispered.
Shouts drew their eyes toward the opening in the tent. My father’s jaw tightened. He turned to my mother and kissed her. Hard. Tears wetted both their cheeks.
“I love you. I’ll be with you until we meet again. Save our girl, Sig. You know where to go.” He brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. “She will be a glorious queen.”
“Save my place.” My mother’s voice was small. Broken.
With a smile, he kissed her gently once more. “Always.”
I wanted to chase after him when he left. I wanted to look into the eyes of the man who created me, who loved me enough to die for me. But the room swirled again, landing me in a thick wood.
My mother and Anja crouched behind a log. Tied to Anja’s back was a crying Kase, and in the crook of her elbow she held me, bundled in furs as she tugged at my mother’s arm.
“Lady Sig, where are you hit? Show me.” Anja frantically scanned my mother’s middle. Blood soaked through the woolen dress.
My mother winced and swatted Anja’s hands away. “We’re nearly there. Anja, you must listen to me.”
“Sig—”
“Listen well.” My mother’s dark eyes were filled with fire. “They’ve not seen you yet. Find lodging for you and your son, create your new story to tell. A fisherman’s widow perhaps, but stay close to House Strom. Keep watch over her.”
“Sig, I . . . you know I will not last that long. My blood will rot without my vow with Sander.” Anja held out her hand. Blotchy red marks dotted her skin.
“You still have turns, Anja. I have days. You are the one I trust most in this wretched world. House Eriksson, our wonderful, terrifying house of shadows.” My mother laughed, but sadness lined the sound. “House Eld will bring forth a queen of shadows, I haveseenher. It cannot be coincidence. Our littles are intertwined.”
Anja blinked and swiped away her tears. “How? The crown is with our enemies and—”
My mother winced. “They do not know of her. They will think they’ve won until it calls for her. Until she is strong enough. Teach your boy of his strength, but do not speak of Malin’s bloodline, Anja. She cannot be known.”
“Can you trust this man?”
