Page 8 of The Oracle of Dusk

“Fae, no! You can’t! What if you get hurt?”

“What ifyouget hurt? If I come with you, Mother will be forced to send alongrealwarriors.” She eyed Silvanus with disgust.

“If something happens to you because of me, I’ll never forgive myself!”

“Then the solution is simple. Don’t let anything happen, and we’ll both be fine. Which will be easier to accomplish with imperial guards.”

More people who might be sacrificed if Aurora failed.

“Ooh!” Aurora pushed Phaedra away, fuming. No one could be as infuriating at Phaedra when she wanted to be, or as stubborn. But this was no prank, where the worst that could happen was a scolding. “You’re such a stubborn ass! I won’t let you risk yourself. Go home!”

“No. I’m a princess, this is my empire, and I go where I please. You can’t get rid of me.”

“I’ll… I’ll tell your mother about the gladiator last spring!” Aurora claimed, reaching for anything to get Phaedra to back down.

“Resorting to blackmail? Try harder. That’s barely a scandal.”

“I’ll tell her you replaced the gemstones in her crown with crystals!”

“I’ll tell her you helped. As if anyone but you would have the patience to pry them out so delicately. And if she hasn’t already noticed, that’s on her.”

Merciful Triad, she needed to threaten something really drastic then.

“I’ll tell your sisters where you hide your favourite shoes!”

Phaedra gasped, truly horrified now.

“You bitch! You know they’d steal them all on principle!” Phaedra grimaced. “No, I won’t give in. Do your worst!”

“I’ll tell her you were the one who slathered the poison oak in your ex-fiancé’s clothes!”

“He deserved it for being a mouth-breather and nothing you say will make me leave you. And if you leave me here, I’ll… I’ll mislabel all your artefacts and contaminate the dig site!”

Aurora gasped.

“You wouldn’t!”

“I would!”

“Damn it, Fae! I’m trying to protect you!”

“I could always tie her up and leave her here,” Silvanus offered.

“No!” they shouted in unison, glaring at the avatar.

Aurora turned back to Phaedra. She had to say something, anything, to make her leave. The whole world could fall to chaos, but as long as Phaedra was safe, Aurora’s heart could be at peace. The only thing more terrifying, more horrifying, than her own fate being tied to the cycle of calamity was the thought of taking Phaedra down this dark and dangerous path with her.

“Fae, please, I—”

A slithering sensation stole up her spine, one so strong she could have sworn she felt fingertips trailing along her skin.

“My little mouse, I’ve found you once again. And you will pay in blood for your crimes.”

The low, rumbling whisper caressed her ear with its sinister voice. Aurora spun. There was no one behind her, no one present but for Phaedra and Silvanus.

“Did you hear that?” Aurora asked.

“Hear what?” Phaedra asked.

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