Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ASTER
I t took seconds to arrive back to the palace now that I was rested and had time to restore the magic I’d lost in the strife. One second we were in the woods, the next we were beneath the palace steps.
I watched as Morgana’s eyes widened, stumbling for her balance, and her expression fell. She breathed out in one swift, shuddering exhale before quietly excusing herself and pushing past my sister up the stone steps. As soon as Morgana was out of sight, I waved at a guard to tail her. I had no such desire to lock her away again—even if I had every right to.
My sister, however, looked plainly at me and relaxed that stiff, polite posture. “Now, brother, what in the hells have you done?”
I mimicked the sickly-sweet smile she’d just beamed at Morgana and placed Lord DeBurne’s ledger in her hands. “Using my captive for a bit of dirty work.”
Her crimson eyes studied me and then the book. Though she frowned, joy glimmered in those mischievous eyes. “Something tells me your new pet is not running away with her tail between her legs because you made her fetch this book.”
My happiness faded, and I shook my head slowly. “What can I say?” Her eyes lifted to mine as she closed the book, tapping her long nails against the leatherbound cover. “She just does such a good job at getting under my skin. You two might get along after all.”
Erynna sighed and shook her head, turning on a heel and ascending the steps. “It is rather unfortunate you did not return with one less bollock. Come, brother. You won’t escape your doom and gloom out here.”
After a few hours of reading through Lord DeBurne’s ledger and comparing the names to the list she’d secured days prior, my sister and I were still at a loss. I couldn’t make heads or tails of the words and numbers in front of me. Galen was in here, sure, so I knew I was on the right path, but every lead led to a dead end once we discussed the matter further.
“What about Lady Debanny and her late husband?” Erynna said, tapping her hand on the page and leaning over my desk. “He left her quite a sum.”
“He left her quite a sum and bastard sons, sure. She has no use for that wretched mirror though.”
“Perhaps a bit of vanity would serve her well. And, brother, you can’t be implying that any of these other clients had any interest in a mirror from Vespera?”
I scowled, tapping my thumb against the armrest of the chair. “No.” I sighed, leaning back and pinching the bridge of my nose. “No, I suppose you’re right. This is just leading us in circles.”
“There is only one name in this list that makes even an inkling of sense, Aster. I joked about the stars and fate when we first discovered Morgana’s capabilities, but this is different. Have you disclosed Galen’s involvement in the Umbran Guard to her?”
The heat of guilt curled in my gut. “Do not be rash, Erynna. I’m not entirely certain I can trust Morgana with protecting herself , let alone the world that beats on in Vespera.”
My sister sighed, leaning back on the chair opposite me. “You truly are a coward, brother. You aren’t hiding things for her sake. The sooner you admit that, the better.”
“I’ll tell her in due time. Besides, we have no idea if Galen is still in Vespera.”
She snorted, brushing a bit of hair away from her eyes. “In due time, you will be six feet underground. Isn’t that why we left the university, after all? Father has been on his deathbed for decades, Aster. Don’t use her brother’s tragic fate as an excuse.”
Her words left a bitter taste in my mouth, and my gut sank. She wasn’t wrong. I’d been struggling under the burden of the crown since Father sent us away to learn more about our magic and how to wield it. Nay, abuse it. He’d made us killers, hunters, stalkers—all in the name of power.
Wouldn’t he be proud?
I cleared my throat and folded my hands in my lap. “Perhaps I am being too cautious. Galen’s affiliation with the Umbran Guard was admirable, to say the least, but it wouldn’t make sense to her. Not with everything she doesn’t know.”
“If I was any less daft, I’d say it sounds as if you’re speaking in regards to a subordinate. Not a captive.” Erynna paused and watched me with a steady gaze. She shifted on the chair and then huffed a sigh. “Nevertheless, if you do not yet trust her, then it may be worthwhile to test her. She has an, albeit clumsy, background in a bit of espionage, correct?”
I did not nod, but it seemed she took my silence as agreement.
She lifted her chin, voice firm. “Since you haven’t bothered to lock her in your dungeons yet, I am assuming you trust her enough to stay in your guest quarters. Use her. Allow me to befriend her, train her. You can sit in this gloomy study of yours all day if you’d like, but the stronger she becomes, the more worthwhile this agreement you’ve stumbled into becomes.”
“Is it truly an agreement, Erynna? She was locked away in the tower for days and then forced to run and fight for her life. That is not a choice.”
“We all have to play the cards fate gives us. You’re no different.”
“Speak for yourself.”
A wicked sneer crossed her lips, and she took a polite step away from the desk. “I’ve said my piece, Your Greatness . It may be wise to train her, regardless of the trust you do or do not have for her.”
Before I could utter a response, Erynna bowed her head and left with haste. The door slammed behind her.
I groaned. Gods, I just hoped fate dealt me such a wicked card like Morgana for good reason. Otherwise, this strife would be for nothing. I took her handkerchief from my pocket and folded it into a triangle, placing it on the desk delicately.
Morgana Kyllingham was my captive today, but Erynna had a point. If she could truly wield the shadows of Vespera’s shores, then she would be a formidable ally. Trust, however, was crucial to any alliance.
And trust was something I’d never earn from her.