I, when tomorrow might justify my loa

was decreasing, a smaller crescent each night, as if even the

s and the satisfaction of watching Alaric break completely. But that other aspect, the part of Eira which

ote myself entirely to revenge, that uncertainty n

o forget," she'd warned. "Your love for him never died when you did. It only developed into

yself. Dawn, the sky was just lighten

ull of tea and bread. She had her copper-colored hair a mes

into the room in front of me without invitation.

without permission yesterday," I pointed out, but I took a sip of t

to be requested," she said, sitting in a chair, looking at

xious about

phine lied, then all the things you've founded your revenge on are a lie. It means Alaric

easy to dislike him for valuing power over love. It was not

from me, Mira?"

sion. "When we learn the truth today, whatever it is, don't jump to any conclusions. Don't kill anyon

I care wh

the inside out. And I believe you're the key to repairing it, if only you use healing instead of hurting." She leaned in. "You possess

echoed, remembering my pre

ng crumbs off her dress. "Just swear to me that y

held responsible for this girl's optimism or for anybo

id. "But I'm not making promise

was going to credit her with being. She lived eighteen years of cruelty and still retained enough gentleness to tend wou

ft standing alone with words

. I got dressed with purpose, choosing simple black that would not divert eye

rtly after breakfast. He was stone-faced

he inquired on our desce

ng everything on someone you have served thirty years. Som

respect built on lies isn't worth fighting for. Eira deserved better than that. Y

hadn't slept at all. Seraphine stood beside him, using a cane heavily, face set to an expressionless stare. Lord Marc

e saw me. His eyes landed on my face

ing over it. I'd never entered it as Eira. Servants weren't allowed inside pla

er-carved plaques. Statues of the Moon Goddess in alcoves held her face serene and wise. I felt her pres

, leading us to a narrow stairway. "The oldes

and I could feel the weight of centuries bearing down on us. There were

d books covered in preservation spells. Particles of dust danc

een drawn. "These are the original prophecies, written by seers when they f

d. The date on it took my breath. It was the week of my eighteenth

s in Seraphine's script, younger and more peaceful

is face change as he took in the words. Col

commanded. "We are all witnes

paths are laid before them. The first path, born of love and trust, will bring change to the kingdom. Old would fall, new would rise, and the crown would be strengthened by the coming toge

Everyone's attention was o

burn the kingdom. You said taking her as wife would make me

s I read it. That section on old things falling, on c

tion here. The prophecy clearly says two roads. One of love, on

returned, I saw real anger in his eyes. "Why would you do this? I

herself, so she made certain no one else could be. So long as you were un-mated and alone, she was indispensable. Your most trusted councillor.

witch. You weren't there. You didn't see how weak he w

Kael interrupted. "But you made sure that wouldn't happen. You arranged

"That child was damned. Everyone knew it. Her

ing to my anger. "You recognized a chance to cement your strength, and you did it. You didn't care that you murdered two

h it held answers to questions he had posed for centuries.

l I decide your ultimate fate. You are no longer welcome at my court or in

e," Seraphine began,

hosen by the goddess for me. And you accomplished all this for power." His silver eyes were as unyielding as stone. "I should ha

mple until distance ate it away. The rest of us said noth

ally. "The rejection, the curse, all that c

t me. He still chose fear over love. Seraphine gave him the excuse, bu

overcome me rather than trusting the bond. And I've lived with it every day since then. But to realize now t

I reminded him. "This just co

wardice pretending to be duty." He moved in close to me, and I saw tears in his eyes for the first time. "I killed you for no

t some things couldn't be repaired. But looking at him,

To hurt you like I was hurt. But now that I'm here, no

e me?" he a

ut that softer voice, the one that sounded almo

ce you made and the pain it caused. But do I hate you? I d

e other

loving you. And that makes