Page 5 of The Court of Secrets
I wanted to tell him it was the darkness, that a wickedness had coiled itself around me, but like every tale that had been told, darkness could only survive in the hearts of the wicked. If he knew, he’d know what only Blaise did; I was broken. Badly. “Nothing.” My heart quickened as the lie all to easily lay on my tongue.
“I know when you’re lying. You’re lying now, like you were in the carriage.”
I looked upward. I could be so stupid. The fae could almost always tell when someone was lying. “I get pains sometimes,” I admitted, purposely omitting the darkness from death.
“Like a headache?”
I held his hand. “I’ll be okay.”
“I was going to wait to ask, but seeing as we have a spare moment while we walk… Have you heard anything from Blaise?”
His question sent a shockwave through me. “Why would I have heard anything from Blaise?”
He shrugged. “I was wondering.”
“I haven’t.”
His eyes flashed, but he didn’t say anything more. I wondered if he thought anything was still between Blaise and me. Cedric didn’t know about the kisses Blaise and I shared. More secrets I would keep to myself… ones which plagued me with guilt. Whatever was inside of me liked them. Relished in them. Every time I lied or did something bad, it felt like a small explosion in my gut, like fireworks.
“I know you mentioned before about reuniting the Objects of Kai.”
Did he know I agreed for Blaise? I had told the mer king, Aqugar, that I would help him break the curses over the Objects of Kai because one of the curses, which Blaise and the mer king shared, made it so they were unable to love or feel as much as they wanted. If they did, it would cause them physical pain. They were condemned to a life of loneliness. After I had agreed, the mer king, I assume for extra security, threatened to sink my ships if I didn’t do it within a year. I had used that last reason to explain to Cedric why I needed to do it.
He continued. “So the mer king won’t sink your ships.”
“Right.” I let out the breath I’d been holding. “Yeah, I haven’t thought about much since returning. Everything else has been so overwhelming.”
“If you need any help, let me know.”
I arched an eyebrow. “You want to help me? I thought you wouldn’t give up the location of the Amulet. You know, the one your parents are hiding?” The Amulet was the third Object of Kai, a collection of objects that could balance the power between mortals and immortals. Two of them could kill an immortal being, like a fae or mercreature.
“I could be persuaded.” His golden gaze glinted. “How many do you have?”
“Just the sword,” I admitted. “You know Blaise has the Dagger.”
He grimaced.
“The Ring of Immortalem,” I said, “is with Kiros. His father took it from me when we were captured.”
“Where is the Sword?”
“Safe,” I replied. “Oh no.” I halted in the middle of the hallway. I could see him pacing at the end, the man I’d been worried about seeing again since coming home. “Cedric, you’re about to meet the high priest of Magaelor.”
CHAPTER THREE
Sullen, chalky skin surrounded his deep, invasive eyes. White encircled his irises, but the flecks of silver in them shone out from the dullness, proving his position and anointment by the ancestors as high priest of Magaelor. Most always had silver in their eyes. It was one small step below king or queen. Vahaga. Regardless of my station, I kissed his ring, a sign of respect. He bowed back, and I stood.
“Your Majesty,” he stated, his tone drier than I remembered. “We are blessed on this day the ancestors guided you home and have seen your succession over Edgar’s.” He sneered. No love lost there, I imagined.
“I am, indeed, blessed.”
He moved his disapproving stare to Cedric, who brushed down the front of his gold, buttoned tunic. “Nice clothes,” he said with sarcasm lacing his tone. “Very unique.”
He shot Vahaga a wide smile, not even acknowledging the thinly veiled insult. “You too.”
I cleared my throat. “Cedric, this is the high priest,” I said, as if it would mean anything to him.
He ran his hand through his golden hair. “It’s a pleasure.” He extended his fingers for a handshake.
