Chapter 13
Chapter
Thirteen
NISSA
Three days after overhearing the Vaylor’s assessment of my worth to them, I am still livid.
I’ve endured lessons with Isolde for two days and it has done nothing but fuel my rage.
She is over my barely contained attitude and being in the same room with her just makes me more angry. And more motivated to get out of here.
I feel like a caged animal with the wolves trapped in here with me, circling. I only have a few weeks left to figure this out. If Nova was running from the Vaylors when she got herself killed, then I owe this to her. And the sooner I figure it out the better.
If anyone would have insight into Nova’s life it would be Caspien. While I can’t trust anything he says, Isolde seems determined to keep us apart and I think it is time I try to figure out why.
I work my way through the castle seeking out the heir apparent.
I head for the studies first and find the hallway eerily quiet.
Taking a few turns, I find myself standing outside of the thick wooden door to his room.
I fill my lungs with courage and lightly knock, unconsciously hoping he isn’t there.
Surely the next king would need to wake up early and be working already.
Unfortunately, the door swings open and a half naked Caspien greets me. My eyes drop down his bare chest to the rows of abs. He does nothing to hide the smirk creeping across his face as he takes me in.
“Nissa,” he drawls as he leans against the doorframe, his arms flexing as he crosses them over his broad chest.
Ophe would be stripping right here at the threshold. An unladylike snort bubbles out of me. He is undeniably handsome. Hell those muscles are impressive but it only makes me wonder what Cillian looks like without a shirt.
My mouth goes dry. Internally cursing, I shove aside the thought. Caspien eyes me curiously as the humor evaporates. I run my hand through my hair and look up into his intense gaze. “I was hoping we could talk.”
“Come on in.” He gestures as he pushes the door further open, exposing the deep red interior.
I freeze. I’m not really sure why. Guilt?
My twin sister always did her best to keep me away from her mate.
But more than that, I’m shocked at how the magic hiding in my veins flares to life.
Could this be some sign that there would be a bond between us if I went through with this? If so, I’m not sure I want a mate bond.
Turn around, Nissa. Leave.
I taste bile as my stomach pitches and twists. It doesn’t matter what the magic is trying to tell me. I’m leaving Castara as soon as I get answers about Nova being at the portal. Hopefully soon if he can give me some information.
I will my magic to calm and take a determined step forward.
Multiple sources of fae fire light the large room.
Intense heat and the smell of spices hit me the moment I cross the threshold.
The rumpled black satin sheets look as if the fire is dancing across them as Caspien sits down on the edge of his bed.
He leans back, making the muscles of his chest flex.
Magic is warring inside of me. Leave.
I settle across the room on a scorched leather chair and lace my hands together in my lap, my back straight. I understand what other females see in him, but it just doesn’t do anything for me.
He watches me and waits while I glance around the room, gathering my thoughts. Metal shelves cover one wall, filled with an assortment of fire-forged items, including the simple gold crown he wore when we were children. It looks so tiny now, with one tip bent inward.
“How are the lessons going?” he asks. “I know how difficult they could be for Nova. I can’t imagine trying to absorb all that information so fast.” He looks at me like he genuinely cares about my answer. Like he sincerely cared about her.
How could that be possible with what I’ve learned?
“It’s been exhausting, but they’re going well,” I respond cautiously. I look at anything in the room other than him. I played out this conversation over and over in my head last night, but I can’t seem to dive into it.
“I’m sure it will all be worth it once you’re on the throne as queen.”
My magic won’t settle. The bile threatens to make a reappearance. I don’t want the throne. I’ve never wanted the throne.
“I don’t know how Nova did it for so long.
I would think the lessons would wear on someone after so many years of it.
” And based on the emotionless Princess I saw last Beltane, they did.
I just didn’t understand what was happening with her at the time.
It makes me sad to understand her more now than I ever did when she was alive.
I could have been there for her if she had let me in.
Leave. Go now.
I ignore the nagging voice in my head. I owe it to Nova to see this through.
He makes a non-committal hum. “She understood the sacrifice that came along with this life—and the benefits.”
I bristle, my eyes snapping to him. Sacrifice?
Like watching your betrothed cheat on you repeatedly?
I shove down the accusation I want to fling at him, and pull the wind deep in my chest. “So she wasn’t struggling with this life?
Maybe wanting something different?” I refuse to look away now, trying to gauge his reaction.
I’m here for answers, for some indication as to why Nova would be at the furthest edge of the Elite City with no Guardians.
But a small part also wants to feel a little closer to my sister.
The last two weeks have offered me more insight into her life than I’ve ever had before, made me feel more connected to my twin than since they sent me away.
“If you came to ask me something, Nissa, just come out and say it.” There’s an edge to his voice, but nothing shows on his face.
I may not understand my magic yet, but I can tell it’s sending me warning signals to back off. I can’t find it in myself to heed that warning. If anyone should be asking questions about Nova’s death, shouldn’t it be Caspien? His betrothed was attacked and killed in cold blood.
So, why does it seem like I’m the only one who wants answers?
Well, other than Cillian. Unless he’s been lying to me.
I set my jaw. “I’m just wondering what would send my rule-following sister to Terrania and the portal to the human world.
It isn’t in her elemental lands. Why was she out there, especially with no Guardians?
I’m curious if you think your cheating played any part.
” I cut my eyes to his bedsheets, eyebrows raised in question.
I didn’t plan on being so direct, but I can’t hold my tongue any longer.
“Cheating?” An expression that oddly resembles amusement crosses Caspien’s features.
“I’d think you of all of us would relate to wanting some freedom.
None of us has had any say in our own lives from the moment we were born.
Nova and I both understood the pressures.
She wanted me to be able to blow off steam, wanted me to have a little freedom. And it was her idea, not mine.”
Nova’s idea…? She’d always seemed so jealous.
“So no, Nissa,” he says, “I don’t believe it was my fault that she was there that day. I was devoted to Nova in my own way. If I could change what happened at the human portal, I would.”
My gaze drops to my hands. “So why was she there? Why did the humans attack?” I almost plead, feeling the hope of any lead slipping away.
“Honestly…” His voice is slow, considering. “There’s no evidence that humans are hostile towards us at all.”
I search his eyes. “But the report said—”
He cuts me off. “I know what the report says—it looked like the humans attacked. But there was no indication they had reason to.” He says it even more slowly, like I should know what that means.
It looked like they attacked… Possibilities swirl in my head. “You think it was a set-up? That the humans were made to look guilty? Who would do that?”
He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His black eyes are aglow with… anger? Suspicion? “I think it was Varethiel.”
Suddenly it’s hard to breathe. “Why would the other Castara kingdom want to kill their own princess?”
“Because they can’t be content with the power we’ve already granted their king and his council.
” His jaw ticks. “There are mummers of rebellion in Varethiel. That they want out from under Vaylorian rule. Ingrates.” If possible, his eyes are even darker.
“I believe they staged the whole thing to make us look weak.”
My heart is pounding. I had no idea Varethiel was unhappy. And Caspien is, in fact, looking into Nova’s death. And from what little I’ve learned from the servants, internal politics makes a lot more sense than the humans.
Caspien’s eyes move towards the door and back to me. “I need to get ready for a meeting. Just know I’m looking into this. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe. You’re going to be my queen.” He smiles. Then he’s on his feet, moving us to the door.
When I go past him at the threshold, he halts me with a hand on my upper arm. An icy chill pricks my skin. His other hand lifts, and he tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “Thanks for coming by,” he says, leaning close.
I swivel my head to the side, for some reason afraid he’s about to kiss me. I don’t know if his lips ever even meet my skin. But when my eyes land on the doorway across the hall, I’m fighting a sudden wave of dread.
Cillian is standing there, watching us.