Page 99 of The Court of Secrets
“Why?”
“You served a higher purpose. You’re the reason the necromancer is back.”
My eyes bulged. Fury pulsing through me, I gripped my nails into the wood edges of the table between us. “You knew Morgana would bring me back. Yet another betrayal to her.”
“I needed him to come back. Your dying was going to happen no matter what I did. I simply took advantage of an opportunity.”
I spat through gritted teeth. “You slimy liar! You could have given us fair warning. Morgana’s gone through torment and torture.”
“It’s nothing she couldn’t handle.”
I shook my head, folding my arms across my chest. “You’ll get yours, Licia.”
“I’m sure one day I will.”
His honestly infuriated me further. “If you won’t tell me what you want with him, then we have nothing further to discuss.” I turned on my heel, then something in my brain clicked. “Wait, you said because of me he’s back. Wasn’t he always? I mean, people must be using sacrificial magic.”
His lips curved at the corners as he tilted his head just an inch. “They do, but he needed more power this time. He needed someone who could make things happen, and that person happened to be you. Morgana brought you back from the dead. Don’t you think if it were that easy, everyone would be doing it? Dark magic or not? Love can push us far past our normal boundaries.” The room darkened a layer. “He let her bring you back. Your spirit realm meant you were in the veil, a place where he could pull you from. The rest of us, when we die, we move on, but you lunas remain. You linger.” The disgust in his tone didn’t go amiss. “He granted Morgana the privilege of having you back, as queen, and in doing so, he took control. He will come back, in his full form once again, and in doing so, he will be more powerful than any entity that has ever existed.”
Realization washed over me, prickling my mind. “You told her the spell to bring me back.”
He smirked. “It took you longer than Morgana to figure out I was behind it then.”
“I’ll have you killed for this.”
“Blaise would never allow it. Remember, Winter, I have something over everyone.”
I clicked my tongue. “What could you possibly have over him?”
He leaned in, his voice still a whisper. “Both of you killed kings to take your thrones. If the truth of which emerged, you’d be executed, and him, exiled. Who do you think made Blaise the potion that sent his father mad before he killed him?”
“So, what? You’re some twisted puppet master?”
“No.” He looked down, and for a hint of a second, I swore I could see sadness on his features. “I’m simply a man trying to save the person he loves. Just like you. Just like Blaise. Just like Morgana.”
My heart thudded to a temporary still. “Why are you telling me all this?”
“I’m merely divulging what is already known to Morgana and Blaise. Unlike them, you can’t do anything about it, and I had a few minutes between games and was bored, so…” He gestured behind me where a man approached. Thin cream screens separated us and the other tables. He clicked his fingers, and something around us lifted.
“What was that?”
“Do you really believe I would be foolish enough to have eavesdroppers listen in on our conversation? I protected us both. You’re the fool for not thinking of it.”
The man, a Berovian, hesitated toward the table.
“Don’t do it. He’ll just trick you,” I said as I swept past him, then glanced back at Licia who was grinning. I hated that little wretch.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Kiros sat on the largest armchair. The gold crown on his waves reflected orange hues from the crackling fire beside him. Unlike the council meetings back home, this was far cozier. We were in Blaise’s office, and Kiros’s advisor took the chair next to him. Mine was bare, and I partially regretted not bringing Adius.
“Will it just be the three of us?” the advisor asked.
Kiros pointed at the door. “No, bring in a witness for anything agreed upon here.”
The advisor hurried off to fetch someone to stand in. Kiros turned his attention to me as the door closed. “Why did you not bring an advisor?”
“He has matters to attend at the castle. Our high priest is missing.”
