Chapter 39
Chapter
Thirty-Nine
NISSA
“They all knew,” I croak out before Cillian can say a word.
Relief floods his face. My movements are slow, but I can actually move. And that’s enough for me. I've been trapped in my own mind for days, and the moment the words are out of my mouth, I can feel my own relief at no longer being alone with what I learned.
Shifting the warm little dryrd to the side, I begin to throw my legs out of the bed. Cyndr looks up at me and sleepily nozzles his head into my hand happily.
Cillian’s expression quickly morphs. “Stop. Lay down,” he says, standing when I don’t and offering hands out.
Ophe groans a little at the noise. I try to clear my throat as I reach for him. He responds immediately, grasping both of my elbows.
“I can’t lay down,” I manage as I try to stand, breathing heavy from even this small amount of movement after days of inactivity.
“Nissa, please.” His eyes are imploring.
I drop back on the edge of the bed to catch the wind.
“What’s going on?” Ophe’s groggy voice fills the space as she stretches behind me.
I give a small smile at my friend, while Cillian exhales and drops back into the chair he’s barely left since we arrived back home.
He takes both of my hands in his, and he drops his forehead to my wrists. “You’re okay.” His voice is quiet and broken.
“I am. I promise but Cillian— they all knew,” I say again. I pull a hand free to stroke his head.
“Who knew what?” Ophe asks with indignation, ready to fight, as soon as she realizes I’m awake.
I laugh, then sober when I look back to my mate.
I know he’s been beside himself that I wasn’t waking up, but I’ve also been trapped in my own torture.
Unable to expose those that turned all of our lives upside down.
Some who have stood in this very room, acting as if they care when their actions led to all of this.
Their actions led to so many devastating repercussions, for my family, for Nova, for Cillian, for Castara as a whole. For me.
He says nothing for a moment longer, letting my nails run back and forth over his scalp, before raising his gaze to meet mine. “You need to rest,” he says with determination in his eyes. He strokes my hand with his thumb.
“But—” I begin to protest.
He holds one of his hands. “Tell me what you know. Let me handle it while you recover.”
Intensity boils in those beautiful eyes, and I know he would drown the worlds to make whatever I am talking about right. To protect me.
“The prophecy… they all knew. Your parents, my parents. They all knew.”
I hear a small voice behind me. “Oh Nissa.” Ophe’s warm arms wrap around my shoulders.
Cillian stands and begins to pace, I link my fingers through one of her hands. Cyndr slips into my lap, offering his own version of comfort.
“Your mother is the reason my father left,” I tell him. “Or they killed him.” I shake my head, trying to untangle Caspien’s claims. “Caspien was ranting. I don’t know the details. He just claimed your mother handled it.”
He stops, in the middle of the room. With the light hitting his face from the window, I can see the dark circles below his eyes.
I heard him begging me to wake up, felt him next to me the entire time.
I know he’s exhausted, but the evidence makes my heart squeeze in my chest. And adding all this to his plate is not helping, but he has to know.
“My father was the only one who didn’t agree with me being sent away. He wanted me to be Varethiel’s queen.”
He nods, then tips his head back, looking at the ceiling.
“So you’re saying,” he bites out, his arms flexing as he lifts his hands to the back of his neck and linking his fingers together.
“That my family may have killed your father and sent you away causing massive storms that have almost destroyed the entire energy system—all to maintain power over a weakened, destroyed world?” He lowers his head and is nodding by the end.
“There is more…”
He huffs out a sigh, dropping his arms. “Tell me.”
“He”—I swallow—“killed Nova.” My voice is quiet.
Cillian drops to his knees in front of me, his hands tightening around my free hand. “Who killed her?”
I look at him with big eyes, my lips pressed together tightly, tilting my head the smallest amount. It's silly to be scared of a name, but it feels like if I say it, he will appear, be summoned to this very room.
I swallow again, building the courage. But I don’t have to.
“Caspien killed Nova,” Cillian says slowly. It’s a statement, not a question, but I confirm with a small nod.
“He thought she was me…” I say sadly.
He places a hand on my cheek. His lips brush mine gently. His thumb runs along my cheekbone for just a moment before he pulls away.
“They will all pay,” he says, voice deadly calm. “You have my word, Queen. Though apparently the word of a Vaylor doesn’t mean much.”
Shoulders squared, he strides out the door.