Page 28 of Wicked Prince of Mirrors
The word home dropped from his lips with hesitation, a note of sorrow clinging like the final note of a fading symphony. Something stirred beneath my breasts, and I swallowed, hard. “Is that what you were searching for all those years ago? The mirror which would open the right portal to take you home?”
“Did you guess or were you told about my pursuit?”
I shrugged. “Lyra gave me some answers, but what I learned left me with more questions.”
Methrin’s jaw went tight and he shifted his gaze to the window. “I was outcast from my kingdom, sent through the portals and exiled here as a punishment.”
I drew in a sharp breath. I’d expected something dark in his history but not exile, not his very own people casting himout.
“When I came here it was obvious that I was not mortal, and the people thought I was divine. It was only natural that they made me their ruler, even easier to send them scurrying to obey my wishes.” His voice turned bitter. “I did not expect to stay here long because I had darkness to fight, and when I conquered, when my victory was sure, the people revolted. They thought—I’m sure they didn’t realize that I was protecting them. In hindsight, there’s more I should have done to prevent famine and war, to keep the kingdom from falling apart. I’m aware of the mistakes I made, the rumors that were spread about me. Many are true, and many are false. They called me the Wicked Prince of Mirrors, which is a fitting name.”
He grimaced and I dared not speak, for he was finally being honest with me.
“Rydlin worked closely with me and when he finally found the mirror I’d been searching for, everything went to hell. The people marched on the palace, I lost control of the darkness that lurked in the mirrorverse, and the darkness that lived within me. I thought if Rydlin locked me in the mirrorverse it would close all portals. But that’s not what happened, all the beasts escaped, and even Rydlin could not control them.”
Understanding dawned. “The beasts that live beyond the Boundary, they came from the mirrorverse? The portals?”
“Correct. I should have stood guard, I should have been stronger, but I let them out.”
Words danced in my mind. “That’s why the rumors say the sorcerer cursed you.”
He nodded, those smoldering dark eyes locked on my face.
My breath caught, but I plunged onward. “The rumors speak of one specific monster though, what happened to it?”
“The king of monsters escaped into this world to cause chaos. It’s still free and I suspect still causing chaos.”
“Then why run? Why not defeat it?”
Methrin’s nostrils flared. “Little good it did, last time I worked alone and managed to make everything worse. Now? It’s been years. Two decades according to your timeline. What good will it do if I chase down a monster now?”
I put down the teacup. Hard. “What good will it do? You have Mirror Magic and a sorcerer. You have me. There are armies and magicians who keep the Boundary in place, surely that is enough to defeat the king of monsters.”
He did not laugh, but his lip curled. “You are offering yourself? Your magic to help?”
“Isn’t that why you want me?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“You imagine that what? We’d march to your father’s palace and tell him we need his armies to enact our plan? No, we’d be executed. Besides, these aren’t mere wolves that we can drive back and slay. They are beasts with thick armor, wings and magic of their own. Some breathe fire, others spit poison, you would not wish to fight such a beast without magic.”
“Then what’s your plan?” I almost spat, hating the way he made me feel small and ignorant.
“There is a prophecy concerning one with Mirror Magic who will open the gates, restore the balance and banish the monster from this realm. Originally, I thought the prophecy was about me, but now I think it’s about you.”
I drew a sharp breath, disliking the way the conversation had shifted again, making me the center of it all. Just when I’d escaped the pressures of royalty, the uncertainty of my place within the kingdom and being traded as a bride to secure my father’s political position. Now I was a vessel of Mirror Magic, meant to save the kingdom from a deadly monster.
“What is this prophecy?” I demanded.
Methrin held up his hand. “I will show you soon, but first I wanted you to be aware of your importance, why I can’t let you run. But you also have a choice.”
“Choice?” I interrupted. “What choice is there? You’ve forced me here, shouldered me with a responsibility I didn’t want, and only now offered me clarity based on some prophecy you didn’t even believe in until now.”
Methrin’s lip curled. “I understand your anger, but consider the alternatives. Would you rather be hunted by the Venators, on the run for the rest of your life, or use your power to do something about it?”
I blinked hard, hating that he was right, but feeling a tightness in my chest, an overwhelming panic rising. “What are you suggesting?”
“Rydlin found the mirror I sought, a way to return to the Everminati, I’d like you to come with me.”
He’d phrased it as though I had a choice, but I didn’t, not really. “What if I said no?”
