Page 64 of Between Wrath and Mercy

Who the hell is Keeva?

“Unless she wants a war, she won’t do anything. You can try to talk to him if you want, Dewalt, but he’s already decided. He’s going to talk to her when we arrive.”

“I’ve fucking tried. He’s going to end up with his own Shika tattoo if he isn’t more gods damn careful,” he muttered it, and I wasn’t certain I’d heard him right. I hadn’t seen any evidence of a constellation inked on him, though I supposed it could be under his shirt. “If there isn’t an alliance, she has an army. She might not care about a war, Ven. Between Keeva and the others sulking about the court, Emma is as good as dead.” He shook his head. I took a deep breath. Why was he worried about someone with an army killing me? And others? I had a sneaking suspicion in my stomach, and it made me want to vomit. I focused again, straining to hear what else was being said.

“Does she know?” He jerked his head backwards, toward the house, toward me. I jumped back from the window, so I wouldn’t be seen if Lavenia happened to look up. I missed her response, but Dewalt’s voice rose in volume.

“He can be so fucking—I think I interrupted something last night.”

Shit.

“What do you mean?” I couldn’t see Lavenia’s face, she’d turned away, but her voice raised enough I could hear her.

“I heard a bang, woke me up. When I came downstairs, there was a chair knocked over, and her hair was a mess.”

“That doesn’t mean anything, D.” She reached out to him then, a hand on his arm. “But I suppose if he’s made up his mind about talking to Keeva, you may be right.”

“Her face gave it away. You know how she is.”

I cursed myself for my inability to hide my thoughts.

“You’re angry.” Her voice was quieter, her demeanor softening.

“No. I’m not—”

“She isn’t Lucia.” He froze.

“Divinehell, Ven. I know she’s not Lucia. I know that better than anyone.” He wrenched his arm back from her and turned, facing the house, and I saw his face.

It was him.

Dewalt had been in love with my sister, and she’d loved him back.

And I’d had no idea at all, until now.

He whipped around. “Seeing her everyday hurts because it’s a reminder of exactly who she isn’t.” He gestured back to the house. “But we can’t lose her too, Ven.”

I felt intrusive watching him from the window as his shoulders sagged, and Lavenia put a hand on his neck, pulling his forehead down to hers. I walked away and sat down on Elora’s bed.

This headache didn’t come from my divinity.

Memories slipped past as I sat there, knees pulled up to my chest. Dewalt begging her to let him train her. Lucia sitting under the tree in the meadow while we trained, Dewalt’s shirtless body glowing in the late afternoon sun while she watched with rapt attention. The time Lucia disappeared with Lavenia and Dewalt. Had Lavenia made herself scarce when they slipped away? Why hadn’t they told me? Why had everyone kept it a secret from me? I didn’t know why Lucia hadn’t tried to end the betrothal sooner. Maybe she thought she had more time. We all thought there was more time.

I wondered what would have happened if she hadn’t been attacked. Would she and Rainier have gone together to break off the agreement our parents had made? I was so unbearably sad, thinking about what could have been. What we’d lost. We thought we had time and youth on our side. The ache in my chest felt real, the emotional pain manifesting into a physical one.

A light knock rapped on the other side of my door, and I pulled my robe tighter.

“Come in.”

Lavenia opened the door and hesitated, watching me where I sat, legs still tucked up into my chest as I stared at the floor.

“I saw you.” I looked up at her and wondered if she could tell how tired I was. Fully rested and still exhausted. I raised my eyebrows, inviting her to speak if she needed to, but rather hoping she didn’t.

“We won’t let anything happen to you.” She walked in, carefully closing the door behind her. I felt my brows crinkle before I remembered what she was even talking about, too caught up thinking about Dewalt and Lucia. Mourning my sister in a different way, mourning for Dewalt, so distracted I’d forgotten the rest of the conversation. I didn’t move, keeping my legs tucked up while I watched her.

“Who is Keeva?” Lavenia stared at the ground, not able to look me in the eyes. That would have been answer enough, but she found her voice.

“She is one of the Nine.” The Nine daughters of Nythyr, the assassin heirs and protectors to Queen Nereza. None were born to the queen, though she had her own harem, but all were chosen for their divinity and their beauty.

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