Page 33 of Echoes of the Raven
“Am I? Because I went through worse than you did, and I’m still here, making Father and Mother proud.”
My mouth opens and closes as I search for an appropriate response. Calierin mentally tortured me for four days, and Orys possessed Amira’s mind for much longer. But who can measure these things?
Finally, I say, “I’m not you, Amira.”
“That’s correct. You’re stronger. Much stronger.”
This takes me aback. She’s the oldest, raised to be stern and disciplined by our father. Raised to be a queen. I’m not stronger. I grew up not wanting anything to do with the duties of this place. Father died knowing this. I’m a disappointment and a failure.
“You avenged Father,” she goes on. “You freed me and saved us all from that cruel sorcerer. You fought the veilfallen and never gave up.”
I shake my head, the backs of my eyes burning. Amira sits on the bed, pulls me to a sitting position, and wraps me in a tight embrace. Tears spill onto my cheeks. I try to stop them, but they keep coming and coming and coming.
My sister simply holds me, rubbing circles on my back and letting me cry until my tears are spent. Slowly, the knot of tension I’ve been carrying inside my chest unravels, and suddenly I can breathe again.
She holds me at arm’s length and offers me a sisterly smile. “Father would be proud of you.”
I shake my head. The notion seems ridiculous.
“Truly, Val. I don’t know what I would do without you.” She lets me go and picks at the bandage around her hand.
Returning her smile, I say, “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I have an unpleasant task for you.”
A ball of dread forms in my stomach. “What task?”
“Remember your betrothed?”
“Oh, no!”
She nods empathetically. “I need you to talk to him.”
So he survived the engagement ball attack.Maldición!
I’ve barely spared him a thought and expected he was dead. The last time I saw him it was prone at Rífíor’s feet, but it seems he survived, unfortunately. I chide myself at the thought. I should be glad—for him, not for me—that he’s not dead, that Rífíor didn’t manage to kill another Castellan.
“Um,” I hesitate. “You don’t expect me to…” I can’t finish the horrible thought.
She shakes her head. “No, Val. I don’t expect you to marry him.”
“Oh, thank the gods!” My shoulders go limp with relief.
“But I do expect you to talk to him, explainwhyyou won’t marry him. Also, I hope you can convince him to continue helping us hold Los Moros’ threat back in the south. We really need his help.”
“And how am I supposed to do that?”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure you’ll think of something.” She pats my hand and walks to the door. Glancing over her shoulder, she says, “Renata Suárez is my new adviser. She has your Plumanegra key. Find her, and she’ll give it back.”
I slump back into bed, dreading a conversation with Don Justo. I almost miss the catacombs. I thought I was rid of the insufferable man, but apparently, his ambition knows no bounds.
Gods, help me!
14
VALERIA
“Them fae folk can pull off miracles. Seen it with me own two eyes. Like their espiritu talks to the saints or something.”
