Page 101 of Fractured
“She…s-s-she was a queen,” I finally spit out. “Why didn’t she defend herself?”
“I cannot see beyond what the mirror chose to show you, noxavira,” she said, andthat fucking name again.
Anger spiked in my veins and the magic that had been standing back until now nearly froze my arms all at once. The charge of energy moved me, and I jumped to my feet.
“My name isNilah,” I told the seer, and my hands were ice-cold.
“It is,” she said—smilingstill like she found the look on my face amusing.
“I was never supposed to be here like this—I ama vessel.She made me a vessel, she…”
My God, which were the right words to say right now? So much was on my shoulders, an entire fucking world, and I had no clue which side to even turn to here.
“She had reasons,” the seer said, and laughter burst out of me, wild and bitter.
“She hadreasons!”
“She did. I believe they were good reasons,” the seer said.
It was like she slapped me across the face. “So,whatwere they?!” I shouted so much my throat hurt. My voice echoed in the shadows—and now they were not only moving, but they werevibrating.Layers upon layers of shadows—which I now saw as clearly as if we were standing in the sun—were shaking as they folded on themselves against the walls. And my hands were lit up fromwithin. And the frostfire gnawed at my bones as it traveled inside me, prepared itself to unleash.
“Nilah, no,” Vair whispered, but I only had eyes for the seer.
So, I saw when she raised her hand at me. I saw her lips moving when she said,“Calm.”
Suddenly everything that had been burning and freezing inside me at the same time came to a halt. Faded. Disappeared completely.
My shoulders fell and I breathed deeply like I’d been stretched too tightly just now, and I could finally draw in air.
“You are upset. It is understandable, but I do not know the reasons of the Ice Queen. The man who took her life is the only one who can tell you that.”
“Hecan’t.”
The words were supposed to have leftmylips, but Raja beat me to it. She was slowly making it to her feet, pale still, eyes wide and dark.
“He can’t tell anyone anything,” she said as she came closer. “Breaking a part of the traitor’s mark Helem put on him nearly killed me. I cannot undo the rest.”
“I see,” said the seer and she was now looking at Raja’s chest. “A king’s curses are a nuisance. A piece of it still clings to you. You should get that taken care of.”
What the hell…
“Don’t mindme—Rune’s memory was stolen from him. He—” Raja started, and her voice actually shook, which I never thought I’d ever witness. A part of me wasgladto hear her stuttering because it proved what I already knew—that she really did care a great deal about Rune.
But the seer cut her off.
“I do mind you,” she told her, and Raja clamped hermouth shut. “I’ve been expecting your return, Raja. The stars have big plans for you.”
Fuck me sideways.
Raja looked in shock. Mouth wide open, eyes unblinking, and she didn’t move an inch, to even to draw in a breath. It was easy to see that she hadnotseen this coming any more than I had, and that’s why it took her a good moment to say, “What do you know?” Her voice was dry, small, so unlike Raja.
“What you will know when the time comes,” the seer said. “We have almost come full circle.”
I shook my head. “Full circle? What does that mean?” I leaned closer to her, though I was now terrified of the old woman. I would be of anyone who could make the magic inside me retreat like that with a single word. “Explain to me how a six-year-old boy was able to kill a powerful fae queen.”
But the seer didn’t hesitate. “I will do no such thing. I’ve told you all that I can tell you. The truth awaits you in another place.”
“What about Rune?” I asked. “What have the stars planned for him—what about Rune?!”
