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The cells appeared to have been carved directly into the stone beneath the ground on which the palace sat at the foot of the Falcweard Mountains.
Without any spoken direction, we were drawn to the furthest cell at the right of the long, musty corridor. At the end was a stone archway leading into an alcove where a single spear of light illuminated the space. As we approached, runes I didn’t recognize were carved into a stone dais in the center of the floor. The shaft of light came from where a hole had been carved into the ceiling, allowing sunlight to peek through. Something powerful seemed to call me to this space, though I had no idea why. When I reached for my Knowingness, it remained utterly silent, as it so often had as of late.
I reluctantly turned away from the door towards the thick wrought iron door of the last cell on our right. Thalia placed a hesitant hand on the door of the cell, casting me a compassionate glance as if to ask,are you ready?
I gave her a subtle nod. A second look at the door revealed it was nothing more than an iron barrier indicating the location of a cell. Under her breath, she murmured something in ancient fae, and the barrier disappeared. How exactly she knew precisely which words to invoke was something I would have to ask her later.
It took no small amount of effort to train my face into something coldly neutral.
Zurie sat on the floor directly across from the entrance, leaning against that wall, still dressed in her torn and blood-soaked gown.
Her eyes widened at the sight of me, her breath stilling. After only a few silent moments, something I hadn’t fathomed her capable of glistened in her eyes.
Emotion.
Had she given me away?
My mind reeled, trying to imagine the life I’d have had growing up in this palace.As a prince.
Would I have turned out as wicked as her if I’d been raised by her?
I finally managed to take a single step forward into the cell. The question cut through me to reach her.
“How?”
Zurie’s expression shuttered as she rose to standing, her gaze flicking to the crowd of people behind me.
“Leave us,” she growled.
If this female hadn’t been the bane of my entire existence, I’d have appreciated the fact that even a dank dungeon didn’t strip her of her pride. Thalia and myolana kah’heiremained exactly where they were, at my side. I could feel their magic, restless in the air, as they watched.
“In case you hadn’t noticed, you’re no longer Queen.”
Her jaw flexed with anger, hands fisting by her sides.
“We have much to discuss, and it is not for outside ears. You wish to take the throne and rule as King?Trust no one. Not even your family.”
Whether or not she knew anything about me or the betrayal that had come to light, her words hit home.
“Vow that you will speak only the explicit and clear truth to me.”
Her expression cooled, lips pursing. “Gladly. Only if you make a vow in exchange.”
I huffed a dry laugh. “You’re not exactly in a position to make a bargain, Zurie.”
Instead of being cowed by the reminder, a knowing grin tilted her lips before she burst into an abrupt, sardonic laugh.”
“Oh, how wildly naive you are. You think I have no power because you’ve given me this little necklace?” A petite hand brushed a fingertip across the palladium collaring her throat as if it were a precious jewel. Large, blue, doll-like eyes took on a malevolent glint.
“I don’t need my magic to be powerful,my son. And you’d do well to not rely on yours either, no matter how mighty.”
I gave her a bored look.
“You’ve done a lot of talking yet have somehow told me absolutely nothing.”
A sly grin returned. “I willallowyou to take the throne. I’ll even help you rule?—
A hoarse laugh bubbled up and quickly escalated. Despite what had inspired it, it felt good.
