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‘Very wise.’
‘That’s me.’ She rubbed her thumb over her tender knuckles. ‘Do you think Vernich will really give him up?’
‘He’d better.’
Thea sighed, knowing things were never that simple. ‘Seb’s got ties with the guild. An uncle, Cal told us.’
‘I don’t give a shit. He’s as good as gone.’
Thea huffed a laugh. ‘If you say so.’
When they reached the castle, Wren was waiting for Thea in the hall, her face a mixture of fear and excitement, her eyes trained on the rulers seated at a table on the dais.
‘What is it?’ Thea asked with trepidation. Usually when her sister wore an expression like that, it meant bad news for her.
Sure enough, Wren turned to her eagerly. ‘Thee…’ she said under her breath, staring at the kings and queen in awe. ‘If there were ever a time to announce yourself —’
‘Wren…’ Thea warned, glancing up at Wilder for backup, but he raised his hands in surrender and took a step back. She shot him a glare, but Wren was too impassioned to notice.
‘If there were ever a time to announce yourself as heir of Delmira, now would be it. In front of the existing rulers. It’s possible that they already sense your – our – magic…’
Thea touched her fate stone. ‘Not mine,’ she said, jaw clenching. ‘Please don’t do this now. The last thing anyone needs on the precipice of battle is another crown thrown into the ring.’
‘But Thea —’
‘Wren, why don’tyoube the heir, then? I want to be a Warsword. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.’
‘It’s not always about what we want, Thee.’
‘Not always,’ she replied. ‘But this is. And I will be a Warsword before my time is done.’
Wren sighed. ‘I’m going to the Veil,’ she said quietly.
A fist closed over Thea’s heart and squeezed. ‘You’re what?’
‘Going to the Veil. When the battle starts and the enemy is engaged, Farissa and I will be rowed out to the Veil, where we’ll attempt to patch that tear.’
‘Not a chance,’ Thea hissed.
Her sister met her angry glare with one of her own. ‘Try and stop me,’ Wren challenged.
‘Wren, you’re not trained for battle. You’re not —’
‘I know I’m not. I am trained for something else entirely. Alchemy. Fixing the Veil is alchemy, Thea. Farissa and I are the only ones skilled enough to attempt it.’
‘But —’
‘Tell me, sister: why are your ambitions more important? More worthy?’
It was the age-old argument they’d always had. ‘I’m not saying that —’
‘Then you’ll watch me go, and do so with pride in your heart. As I do every time you go off to slay a monster.’
Thea faltered. And Wren took the advantage.
‘For so long you wanted to walk your own path… Let me walk mine.’
‘She has a point,’ Wilder’s voice sounded.
