Chapter 26 #2
“Caz proposed to Marin on the final day of their Commencement,” I hurried out, wracking my brain for something only a close friend of the others would know.
“They were the same year, and they’d been best friends since they were three years old.
” I began to list off things that Caz had told me about his wife on our journey from Warrich to Tovick around many campfires.
“He’d been in love with her for years, but she wanted to stay friends.
It didn’t deter him. He just waited, and she came around.
” The more I spoke, the wider their eyes became.
“They got married weeks after their Commencement, on the Summer Solstice, under an arch made of agates at the eastern end of the Caves. They were already inseparable and didn’t see the point in prolonging the inevitable. ”
They stared at each other, exchanging the unspoken the way they always did. It sometimes made me jealous that I didn’t have someone who knew me like that. Someone here , anyway.
“Yes.” I recaptured their attention. “I know them. Caz told me all of this. I sent him back to the Caves with the others after the accident that cost him his leg. He knows I’m alive, as do Finn and Gemma.” My eyes burned with apology. “And none of them should have been in Tovick that day.”
Mavic’s jaw ticked in anger. I realized that I hadn’t noticed how menacing he had the potential to be. At least six feet tall, he could be a threat if the situation warranted it. Especially if his sister was in danger.
“If it’s really you,” Mina said, hurt darkening her features, “then why are you lying to us?”
I shrugged helplessly. “I want to prove myself like everyone else here, I just really, really want to finish Commencement. This isn’t forever. I’m going to reveal it soon. But I did go to Molochai’s camp. I did face him, and he did kill me, but Viridian’s healing power saved my life.”
Steadying my hand, I lifted my shirt to reveal the jagged scar up the center of my torso. Mina covered her mouth and stifled a whimper. Compassion cast a warm glow across them both.
“I learned some things that night,” I went on, voice shaking. “Some heavy things. But I’m still learning to control my magic.”
Mavic glanced at the ice still encasing the doorknob. “You have the power of the Selvaren?”
“Nevelin’s ice, Sussurro’s wind,” Mina said quietly, looking between the door, me, and her brother. “And Autumna’s camouflage.”
“That’s only three,” muttered Mavic.
“I’m still working on a few,” I explained. “And I’m not that good at controlling the others.”
Mavic frowned at the ice-covered doorknob, likely thinking of how badly I could have hurt them. Was Simeon right in claiming I was a danger to those around me?
“I’m sorry. That was reckless. I?—”
“Seems pretty controlled to me.” Mavic’s steps made the floor creak as he approached the door. His fingers brushed over the ice, and he shuddered. “Damn, that’s cold.”
I looked back at Mina. She stared at me like a wounded baby animal. Terrified and betrayed.
“I’m not doing this out of malice. I never wanted to hurt either of you,” I promised, pleading with my eyes.
“I know you might think this is selfish. Perhaps it is, but I need to earn my place here, so please keep this quiet. I’m not asking as your queen, but as your friend.
With that said,” I added, “if you choose to walk out that door and tell everyone who I really am, I won’t stop you. ”
The twins stared at each other for a while, until I saw them both nod. When Mavic spoke, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
“When you take the throne, I want an official title and… special privileges.” Mavic’s eyes darted to the side in thought. “Details to be determined later.”
“Good gods, Mavic!” Mina’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “Don’t barter with the Queen! ‘Special privileges’? What does that even mean?”
“Like I said, I’ll decide later,” he replied. “For now, it’s a placeholder.”
Relieved laughter bubbled out of my throat. “Deal. I promise.”
Traces of a familiar smile tugged at the corners of Mavic’s mouth. “Winterton doesn’t know?”
I shook my head. “No.”
He blew out a low whistle. “He’s going to lose his shit when he finds out.”
I thought plenty about how Elias would handle finding out who I was, especially given the contention between us. I wasn’t looking forward to it. “I’ll handle him.”
“Can I ask…?” Mina’s mouth dropped in a frown. “The Butcher?—”
“Please don’t ask me about him,” I rushed out.
Because I knew, like everyone else, they would assume the worst. I couldn’t bear more disgusting, untrue accusations about the type of man he was behind that title. When it came to worrying about him, I was hanging by a thin thread.
“Is there anything else you’re keeping from us?” Mina removed her shoes, pulled up her feet, and sat cross-legged on Mavic’s bed. They hadn’t been gone long but clearly weren’t planning on finishing their run.
“There are things I can’t tell you.” I found the courage to meet her gaze. She deserved my honesty and undivided attention. “I know that’s not fair. But I’m asking you to trust me anyway.”
It was tempting to tell them everything, but it wasn’t safe. Knowing my identity as the “prophesied queen” was one thing. Knowing all about my prior life and my connection to the Butcher could put them in danger.
“All right,” sighed Mavic. “What do we call you now?” He started to sit beside his sister but paused. “Oh, we haven’t… bowed?”
“Please don’t bow.” My laugh came out awkward and high-pitched. “You can call me Ary here and Fera out there. Or just keep calling me Fera all the time, if it’s easier. I don’t mind.”
“In that case, Ary… we’ll keep your secret.” As he sat down, his mouth curled into a playful smirk. “But we have more questions.”
They interrogated me about what happened between Warrich and Brinnea.
I told them everything I could that didn’t involve Gavin, which wasn’t much, but I distracted and enthralled them by changing my appearance back to Fera.
Then, they watched me attempt to lift the book to the ceiling with my magic.
It was enough that they didn’t press for any of the information I left out.
When I asked if they were going back out to run, Mavic gestured to the doorknob. “Looks like we’re stuck in here until your ice melts.”
Mina’s responding laugh was like a wind chime in the spring breeze. A reminder that so many of my people were good .
I could only lie to them all for so long before it ripped my conscience apart.