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Unless it wasn’t. Unless the journals were left for someone else and never meant for me at all.
By the Source!
Iola made a noise of surprise that brought me back to myself.
“How can I ever make this up to you?”
Her expression carried more shock than anger, and finally, it broke into an incredulous laugh that turned into a cough. “Is it crazy to say I’m a bit relieved?”
“Yes!” I almost yelled.
“I was afraid there was some murderous plot at work, but a mistake at least puts that to rest. I do not want you to be more unsafe in the castle than you already are.”
“Don’t think about me,” I snapped, almost angry—not with her so much as myself. “I nearly killed you.”
“You also saved me, or so I hear.”
“Yes, and look how well that turned out for both of us.” I scowled. “I do wonder if perhaps there is more to Prince Gwydion than the background player he pretends to be. Do you not find it odd that the house of Everlast would produce a mere healer, and he would not even succeed at that?”
Iola furrowed her brow. “I’m not sure, my lady. I don’t know much about the royal powers.”
I considered that and was surprised to realize that at this point, I did—know a lot about their magic, that was. When placed beside his parents and his siblings, Gwydion did not fit.
If I made it out of this damned castle alive, I would add Gwydion to my ever-lengthening list of people to investigate.
His name could go right below that of my sister, who, the more I learned, was starting to seem less and less like an innocent victim.
Scion was correct: could we truly ever know anyone?
43
LONNIE
THE OBSIDIAN PALACE, THE CITY OF EVERLAST
Iola and I made it into the empty kitchens and through the door that led to the vast gardens that wrapped around the side of the castle. The sounds of distant shouting and roaring flames only confirmed my thought that the attack was centralized to the front and middle of the castle, where the throne room stood.
I extricated myself from under Iola’s arm and stepped back. Guilt still racked me, and I wished desperately that I could go with her.
“Where will you go?” I asked.
“Go?”
We stared at each other awkwardly, and I realized that maybe not all servants had the same experience that I had. Maybe she would not have taken this opportunity to run, as I undoubtedly would have in her place—as Enid had, without a second thought. Maybe things were different in Overcast, or Thalia was a pleasant mistress.
“Will you not leave?” I asked finally, not wanting to waste much more time than I already had.
“And go where?” she asked. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”
I shook my head. That was a familiar feeling. I wished there was something I could do for her…anything.
I shrugged out of my expensive new coat and began to yank off the boots as well. I debated giving her my blouse too, but I could not stomach running around the castle in merely my underthings.
“Here.” I shoved the coat into her outstretched arms. “Trade boots with me. These are new—they’ll last you much longer. It’s not much, but it should help.”
I supposed I really did own nothing more than the clothes on my back, and even those I was now giving away. It was worth it, though, especially as I could never make up for my mistake that had stolen her health.
Her eyes widened. “I can’t.”
