Page 96 of Between Despair and Hope

Too late.

“Your Majesties, please. You must be freezing. Come inside,” the man said as he took a step back, allowing us room to pass.

“Actually, Emmeline was just—”

“Saying that, myself. It’s the wind that gets you. The cold isn’t so bad,” she interjected, giving me a look as irritation fluttered down the bond.

She stepped past me, not even hesitating to cross over the threshold. Where was the woman I’d had to practically drag up these steps? Had she really gotten that brave, or was it a show for me? I couldn’t tell what she was feeling, the bond silent once we stepped inside. I tempered my breathing, trying to calm myself. My hand rested on the hilt of my sword as my fingers twitched. Em flicked her hood back, freeing her hair from her cloak. Back straight, head held high, I wondered how she ever doubted her ability to be my queen.

“I was sorry to hear what happened at the Cascade, but I was ecstatic when I heard your daughter woke,” the Supreme said as he led the way toward his quarters. I only grunted in response, but Emma flicked icy cool eyes over her shoulder at me before clearing her throat.

“It has been arduous, but all is well now. How did you know about our plan at the Cascade without us telling you?”

The Supreme’s steps didn’t falter as mine did. Blunt and direct, I hadn’t expected her to ask him in that manner, though I supposed it served her purpose when he answered, unfazed.

“Why, Shivani mentioned it when we corresponded over your ritual. It feels as if there is more to your question, my dear.” Opening the door to the room we’d met in all those weeks ago, his footsteps silenced as he trekked across the plush carpet. “Have a seat, and we’ll talk about it.”

As we sat on one side of the desk, my chest went tight. Distracted by her questioning and confidence, I hadn’t even noticed the trapped feeling of my divinity. My heart raced, and I slid my hands down over my legs, wiping my palms off.

“Tea? Water?” the Supreme asked, standing at a sideboard behind his desk. I shook my head, but Emma’s hand slid over, wrapping around my knee.

“Water for us both, please,” she said as she squeezed. I sat perfectly still, and it was only then did I notice how hard she shook. She was putting on a show. For me? For her? It didn’t matter. I slid my hand over the top of hers and interlaced our fingers, closing my eyes as I inhaled deeply.

“So, it appears you mistrust me.”

The clink of the glass on the wooden desk had me opening my eyes and finding my voice. “No, we just wanted some clarity on a few things, and to inform you of something you may not know.”

“Oh?”

“My mother told you about our plans at the Cascade?”

“Yes, when she arranged borrowing Hanwen’s dagger for your ceremony. Which she has yet to return, I might add. Not the first artifact Astana holds, of that I am sure.” A slight brow raise was his only tell.

“So, you’ve realized by now what we know.”

“Please, enlighten me,” he said, tone dry but not unkind.

“The prophecy the Myriad spouts is a lie,” Em snapped, her cool facade slipping. I squeezed her hand atop my knee.

To my surprise, the Supreme bowed his head. “A lie by omission, but yes, I suppose it is a lie all the same.”

“Why?”

“Fear.”

Silence. Just for a moment, as we both looked at the Supreme, not a sound was made. He ran his hands through his dark-brown, disheveled hair. He’d let it grow long enough I couldn’t see the scar I knew ran from ear to ear over the crown of his head. His tired eyes met mine as he heaved a sigh.

“My predecessor didn’t want people to know about the Accursed. A conduit blessed by all four of the gods is something near impossible to imagine, let alone understand. And for one to be at odds with the Beloved, the face of all which is good? It was a decision made before I took this role, one with which I agreed.”

“Are you the only one who knew the true prophecy?” Emma asked.

“No.”

“Who else?”

“Every master and mistress knows. And Nereza.”

“You thought to tell one monarch but not the others?” My voice belied my annoyance, and Emma’s thumb rubbed over my little finger where it rested. Her confidence and calm soothed, and it prepared me to have it out with the Supreme.

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