Chapter 22
Sybil
Kieran left so abruptly that I staggered back against the wall behind me.
My legs trembled, feeling so weak that I wasn’t sure I could hold myself up.
I knew they would be upset that I kept what Queen Cassia told me to myself.
I would have been too, had they done the same.
But how was I supposed to come to terms with everything with Kieran huffing around like a caveman?
“I guess I should go to Queen Cassia,” I said, clearing my throat, hoping the pressure beneath my eyes would disappear.
Samian nodded, his face hard. “I can take you there.” His voice sounded weak, and I hated it, hated how it made my heart splinter, knowing I kept pushing him away.
“No,” I breathed suddenly. The thought of being near anyone felt like too much. “I think I should go alone.”
Samian gave me a pointed look, and I grimaced. “Do you truly believe that I would let you go alone after what happened the last time?”
“I’ve learned my lesson,” I frowned. “I promise I will tell you everything that happens, even if it's bad news—or no news.”
“Why don’t you want someone to go with you?” Samian narrowed his eyes, watching me closely, like he knew I was just moments away from bolting.
I grabbed the hem of my shirt, playing with the edges.
I’m not sure exactly why I wanted to go alone, but something in the depths of my mind told me I needed to.
A part of me also felt vulnerable at the thought of Samian hearing something I couldn’t process first, of having him see my reaction to her words.
I cared for Samian. So much that it was hard to breathe, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready for him to see that vulnerability.
Samian exhaled, turning toward the bed, his focus locked on the ruffled blankets. Seconds ticked by, each one feeling longer than the last. Finally, Samian nodded. “Fine, I will stay behind. However, you will come right back to tell me everything that was said, is that understood?”
“Yes, Dad,” I murmured, rolling my eyes. These males and their demands kindled something within me I hadn’t felt in years. An unruly, defiant part of me I had forced down and put to sleep long ago for the sake of my mother.
Ivara sniggered while Samian clicked his tongue, a smile curving along his beautiful lips. Vanishing from view, Samian returned a moment later with the blueprints of the passageways.
“These may be a little too big for you to carry, so copy this down in your little notebook.” Samian winked at me and unrolled the papers.
I gave him a playful growl and pulled my notebook from the bag in my room, copying down each entrance I would need to use.
Once I finished, I opened my mouth to thank him when the words died on my lips.
A heavy knock sounded on my door, and my blood froze.
Daelan hadn’t been gone for long, and he usually used the passage to pop in.
My eyes found Samian’s, fear wrapping its claws around me so tight, making it hard to breathe.
Samian walked up to me, lightly pressing his lips to my forehead. Nodding to Ivara, they both ran to the hidden room in the study. Taking a calming breath, I let it out slowly and opened the door.
Hale stood there, his empty brown eyes surprisingly meeting mine as he held a giant box. His gaze flicked past me, observing the room, looking for something—or someone—but found nothing. Clearing his throat, his gaze snapped back to mine.
“Ambrose had this made for you. You will find a letter in the box explaining more.” Pushing past me, Hale set the box on the table and quickly left.
I stared down at the box, stunned. Of all the times I met Hale, he had never spoken to me or even looked at me, always finding a spot behind me to focus on.
The door to the hidden room clicked open, Samian and Ivara filing out to stand behind me.
We stared at the box, watching it carefully as if it were about to explode.
Ivara reached down and lifted the top off.
Moving the paper aside, a beautiful silk dress in a rich, deep green, its gold stitching woven in, lying neatly inside, with a card on top.
All the blood fell from my face, and the air knocked out of my lungs. Reaching down, I ran my fingers along the fabric, my mind taking me back to the day Ambrose showed me around the city and the small boutique, his words ringing in my head.
No, I don’t do this with all the ladies of my court. Just the ones that interest me.
Do I interest you?
I find you incredibly interesting.
As I snatched my hand away, my stomach churned at the reminder of my stupidity laid out so beautifully in front of me.
“Sybil,” Ivara murmured softly. “Are you okay?”
I closed my eyes, nodding my head. “I told him how much I loved this fabric.” My words came out in a whisper, bile rising in my throat. “He wanted to show me around Volmire. To get close to me and…” I trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
Samian picked up the card and turned it over to read the back. His nose curled in a snarl. “He planned a banquet for after the execution. To celebrate putting the rebels back in their place and his becoming the acting king.”
“I need to get to the queen,” I said quietly.
“I’m sure he will want to meet with me soon to gloat about the dress.
” I swallowed my disgust, powerless to tear my gaze from the gown, too blind to notice the emotion playing across Samian’s face.
He had been furious that day. So enraged that he jeopardized his place by standing up to Ambrose. “I need to go.”
Grabbing my notebook, I left without saying another word, following the dark path Samian showed me.
Reaching for my magic, I created a small orb, letting it drift just above me, shining enough light to illuminate the page and the passage.
Salem stayed right on my heels, silently following me while keeping an eye on the shadows surrounding us.
After a few minutes had passed, I finally arrived at the exit of the passage.
The door looked familiar, and I realized with a start that it was the same one we had used to help Ezra escape.
The recognition brought a rush of relief, and I tucked the notebook into my jacket pocket.
Bracing myself, I opened the door, peering into the dungeon.
I counted to ten, waiting for any guards to come around.
When no one appeared, I jumped down from the exit, silently making my way to the brightly lit cell.
Queen Cassia looked up from her book when I wrapped my fingers around the iron bars, her face softening.
“I see Kieran let his emotions get away from him again.” She let out a breath of exasperation, closing her book.
“He really does need to get better about that. The poor boy has such a difficult time keeping them under control and keeping his wrath reigned in.”
“Tell me about it,” I snorted, laughing quietly to myself. “I thought his head was going to explode this morning.”
Queen Cassia walked up to the bars, letting the thick silence fill the air. I swallowed hard, the pressure beneath my eyes returning.
“Ask me what you want to know, my child,” she said softly.
“Is there really no other way to break the bargain?”
The queen gave me a reassuring smile as her hand gently covered mine. “Kieran is doing what is required of him to find the way.”
My eyes snapped to her, hope blooming in my chest. “You mean there’s truly a way to break it?”
Cassia’s smile faded, her eyes becoming cloudy. “I can’t give you a clear answer on that. There are too many possibilities—too many ways for the future to change.”
“And what about my death?” I whispered low, pushing back the ache that was forming in my chest.
“That too. The only answer I can give is to keep following the path your heart guides you along. It will lead you to where you need to go.”
My heart dropped, and my shoulders sagged. “Is there anything else that you can give me? Anything at all?”
Queen Cassia walked back to her chaise, her eyes lost in thought.
“Pay attention to what seems strange and curious. An anomaly happened during the creation of your bargain. A flaw that shows in the incomplete marking on your wrists. Have you wondered why the marks remained unfinished? Why you can fight against his commands?”
I rubbed at the marking on my wrist, though they were hidden by my jacket sleeves, my brows furrowing. I have wondered—Samian and Kieran have too. Kieran said he had his people researching what could have caused the mark to be incomplete, though we have heard nothing since.
“Have you noticed anything different since the bargain was created?” Queen Cassia’s brow arched, her eyes full of secrets.
I thought back to the days after, to all the times I spent with Ambrose. The only thing I could think of was how he was becoming more violent, more deranged.
“Ambrose, his—”
“My what?” A deep voice murmured behind me.
Queen Cassia’s face grew pale, her eyes widening on the male behind me. The hair along my neck stood, and I gripped the iron bars tighter, my body freezing from the glare piercing my back. Slowly, I turned, coming face to face with Ambrose.
“Now, imagine my surprise coming here only to find you in the middle of a discussion with Cassia.” Ambrose’s cold eyes shifted, moving to glare at the queen. “Didn’t I tell you I would kill you if I found you were keeping secrets from me?”
The temperature of the air dropped as ice formed along the walls.
I shivered, goosebumps pebbling my skin.
Releasing my breath, moisture wrapped around my face in a thick fog.
Ambrose’s gaze cut back to mine, and I pushed myself further into the iron bars.
He watched me, monitoring my every move, his body unnaturally still.
His hair was tousled and unkempt, dark circles underlining his wild eyes.
He looked as if he had been slowly losing himself.