Chapter 43
Forty-Three
Sabina
Nate is outside Caiden’s door when I leave. He follows me silently, leaving a pair of guards behind who stay with their emperor. They weren’t here when I arrived. We’re only a few steps away when one of them knocks on the door. When I glance back, Caiden is letting them into the room.
When we’re out of earshot, I slow down, and Nate takes the hint, catching up so he can walk alongside me. “Did something happen?”
“More deaths,” he says, then quickly adds, “Your ladies are safe.”
I tense. “The same way? Was it like Juliette?”
“Yes.”
“How many?” I ask.
“Three.”
I look over at him. “Who?”
“Two guards and a cook.”
“Do they know anything else?” I ask.
“Not yet,” he says.
I look ahead, and check to make sure we’re alone. “I found out something about what you’re looking for.”
I swear I can feel the air shift around us. Tension and fear and relief swirl like a cloud of ravens rising to the sky. “Is there somewhere we won’t be heard?”
Just then a group of legionnaires turn the corner and walk toward us. They incline their heads as they approach, but don’t slow down. I suspect they’re heading to Caiden’s room. I almost stop them to ask if they have new information, but I can still feel the unanswered questions from Nate.
He deserves to know this. I shouldn’t have kept it from him for so long. Why was I protecting a woman I’ve never met? Why was I protecting Brevan? He clearly didn’t need or want anything from me.
If anything, my loyalty should be to Anya, who was hurt as a result of Rosalyn’s magic. Nate’s daughter could be destined for the same fate.
As soon as the footsteps fade, Nate opens a door. After determining that it’s empty, he nods. The two of us enter the room, then he closes us in.
The room isn’t much larger than a closet, but it has a small bed along the wall and a very simple table with a chair against the other. They’re all covered in a thick layer of dust, which is a good sign that we won’t be disturbed.
“You really found something?” Nate asks eagerly.
“Yes, but I need to know what the magic is that your daughter has. I need to be certain it’s the same before I share what I know.
I’m—I’m violating a lot of people’s trust with this.
” I’m having second thoughts about sharing—guilt, I suppose.
But Brevan should have told me about this sooner, shouldn’t he?
Shouldn’t I have known about his sister once Anya was locked up with her?
In the last few weeks, Nate has been there for me. He’s kept me safe, and he’s kept my secrets. If I can help his daughter, it’ll be worth sharing this.
“I don’t know if I should tell you,” he starts. “It’s complicated.”
“Does it result in potentially summoning monsters?” I ask.
His lips part, and he looks like he’s going to say something, then closes his mouth again. Finally, he nods. “You found someone like that?”
“What does her magic do, Nate?” I press.
“She’s a seer. But, different. Most seers they get flashes, visions that may or may not come true. Her magic isn’t like that,” he explains.
“She can alter the future,” I say.
He nods, but there’s a hopeful glint in his eye.
“They have a woman with that gift locked away. She’s not stable, though, and they don’t have a way to fully control her magic. They don’t have a cure. They have guards,” I tell him.
His whole body deflates and the agony on his face makes my heart ache.
“But they think there might be a way with some kind of special relic. Probably the same thing you’re searching for,” I say quickly.
He straightens. “Who is it? Maybe we can work together.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be an option. He’s not really a together kind of person.”
The heartbreak in Nate’s expression has me adding, “but I’ll ask. See what I can find out for you. Will you be at my door tonight?”
He nods, still solemn. Like he doesn’t want to get his hopes up. I’m almost regretting telling him. It’s not like Brevan has a way to help.
“I’ll make sure you can leave discreetly,” he says. “Alan knows and he won’t say a word. You can trust him.”
I nod, then follow him to the door. He opens it a crack to check the hallway, then pulls it open the rest of the way so we can leave. Thankfully, we don’t encounter anyone else on our way to my rooms.
When I arrive, I’m met with a very unwelcome sight. Three large trunks are set near my door. Draped on top of them is a thick traveling cloak.
My heart falls into my stomach. It can’t be time already? How did this happen so fast?
“They just arrived,” Anya says.
“When?” I manage.
“Tomorrow,” she replies.
“Don’t worry, Sabina,” Antonia says. “We’ll keep researching. With everyone gone, maybe we can find something we missed.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, trying to sound grateful. But my eyes are glued to the trunks. I wasn’t expecting this so soon. I thought I’d have it all figured out by now.
“It’s not too late to run,” Anya says quietly.
Don’t fight it. Find your power, daughter.
I scowl. Now? This is when she decides to show up again? My jaw tightens as I resist the urge to scream at the absentee goddess. Why?
Answers.
“Are you alright?” Anya asks.
“I want to go to the temple,” I tell her.
“Do you want some company?” she asks.
“I’ll be quick.” I’m already on my way to the door, and I don’t look back to see if anyone follows me.
Nate’s brows furrow when he sees me.
“Temple.” I start walking, and I know he’s right behind me. I don’t explain, and I don’t say a word before slipping into the space and closing myself in.
As I walk toward the altar, I’m biting out words as quietly as I can but the longer I talk, the louder I get.
“Alright, Mara, explain. I’m tired of the games.
I’ve been searching. Hunting blindly. People are dying and I’m no closer to finding answers to anything.
I can’t help my ladies. I can’t help anyone!
Now this? This is where I’m going to find answers?
Then what the fuck have I been doing the last few weeks besides wasting my time? ”
I rest my palms on the altar’s surface between candles. The flames flicker and glow. Yellow and orange and constantly burning. None of the candles drip wax. They just burn. There’s so much magic in this room. “Why won’t you tell me what you want?”
Closing my eyes, I take slow, steady breaths, working to calm myself. It feels like everything is spiraling out of my control. I have no clear path forward. I don’t know who to trust or what anyone is after.
I don’t know who the fuck I am anymore.
Opening my eyes, I take a couple steps back until I’m at the benches, then I sit. “Please give me something.” It comes out a desperate plea.
Of course, the goddess seems to be finished answering my call. I don’t understand, and I hate how confused I am, but I do know I have to go to meet the Iskvalandian royals. I don’t know why, but I know it’s the right choice.
I walk toward the door, frustrated. I really, really hope Ludis’s father kills him when he shows up in court. Seeing the light leave his eyes would make it all worth it. A warm flicker of hope rises and satisfaction settles around me like a comforting blanket.
Hand on the doorknob, I hesitate.
For the first time in a long while, I felt like myself.
I am supposed to be the angel of death, but instead I’ve been playing nice with a bunch of royals.
With a grin, I turn the knob and step into the hallway. If there’s answers on this journey, that must mean Mara is finally going to let me burn it all to the ground. But I could have killed Caiden a thousand times. Ludis, too.
Which means they aren’t the real threat. There’s someone greater who’s holding everything together. And when I figure that piece out, I might just get to bring down both an empire, and a kingdom.
Welcome back, daughter.