Kiva frowned into the thinning trees. “Sorry?”
“The rebels weren’t always so destructive,” he said. “Back when we first started to actively recruit, people joined us because Mother offered them something they desperately wanted — she healed them of their injuries and illnesses, just like Torvin did before he was exiled. But then —”
Tor stopped suddenly, but Kiva nudged him. “Then what?”
He waited until they’d splashed through a shallow creek before answering, “At first, Mother didn’t ask for anything in return for her magic. Whenever we traveled to a new village, she healed everyone who came to her. But then one day she began to say they needed to earn their healing by proving themselves loyal. People were so desperate to help their loved ones — and themselves — that they joined our cause, waiting for the day Tilda Corentine would reward their devotion. As the time passed, she stopped healing people altogether, and started thriving on the chaos caused whenever the village guards were provoked, almost like she thought the bloodshed would turn more people to us. In some cases it did — but at what cost?” Tor shook his head. “To this day, I’ve never understood her strategy, but despite the unrest, people keep joining us in the hope that they’ll be healed.”
“But . . . Mother is dead,” Kiva said carefully. “And neither you nor Zulee have magic.” Her eyes widened. “They’re not expecting me to —”
“No, no.” Tor halted her growing panic. “Most of them haven’t heard about Mother yet. And like I said, she hadn’t healed anyone in a long time — long enough that the rebel leaders endorsed Zulee and me taking over despite us having no magic. It’s enough that the people think we do, as Corentine heirs.”
His voice was bitter, revealing exactly how he felt about the deceit.
Kiva closed her eyes, now having a better understanding of the rebels but almost wishing she’d stayed oblivious. In her quietest voice yet, she breathed, “What happens if we succeed?”
It was a question she hadn’t allowed herself to consider before, partly for fear of how it made her feel. For so long she’d wanted vengeance, wanted justice, and yet she couldn’t envision what the future might look like if her family did manage to take the throne.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Tor said, with another loud sigh. “In theory, you, me, and Zuleeka would rule together.” He sounded as if he was swallowing nails, and Kiva couldn’t help feeling the same. The idea of ruling the kingdom, even if it was her birthright . . .
An image of Silverthorn crept into her mind, a reminder of everything she’d be giving up. Her hopes, her dreams, her ambitions.
Her future.
But then more images came to her.
Kerrin with a sword through his chest.
Faran being dragged off by the Royal Guard.
Tilda covered in blood, blind eyes staring at nothing forevermore.
Three lives, all gone.
Kiva could no longer deny that, like Tor, she was having second thoughts. But she also couldn’t forget the atrocities that had been committed against her family, the heartache she would never heal from. The Vallentis family had done that to her.
And that was why, even if her heart was divided, she had no choice but to do the same to them.
Even if it cost her everything.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Torell left Kiva at the Tippled Boar after making her promise not to return to Oakhollow, claiming the risk of discovery was too great. In return, Kiva handed back Zuleeka’s mask and agreed to send any messages through the innkeeper, before giving her brother a warm hug goodbye.
Rhessinda found her in the tavern’s courtyard shortly afterward and maintained a mostly one-sided conversation on the ride back to Vallenia. By the time they dismounted outside Silverthorn’s stables, the sun was dropping below the horizon.
Sensing Kiva’s anxiety, Rhess shooed her away. “I’m here every day for the morning shift — come find me if you want a break from palace life,” the healer invited. “We can go get chocabuns.”
“Sounds perfect,” Kiva said, before taking off down the hill and hurrying along the River Road, reaching the palace in record time.
She’d barely unfastened her cloak when an angry knock sounded at the door to her room.
Kiva froze, a million fears hitting her all at once.
What if someone had seen her leave the city?
What if they’d followed her to Oakhollow?
What if she’d been spotted in the rebel camp?
What if the mask hadn’t fooled them?