Lucretia circles Jarek again, slowing, stepping in close, her head tipped as she surveys his face, his mouth. “My masters are exactly where they chose to be.”
He glowers at her. “And where is that?”
She smiles. “Very close, and eagerly awaiting their return.”
I school my expression. What would the nymphs do if they knew I have no plans to release them? “Tell me everything I want to know.”
After another moment staring at Jarek’s mouth, she shifts away. “You must tell me what you wish to know.”
“‘The oracle’s lessons will have the answers the Queen for All must seek,’” Gesine recites in a whisper. “That is what the text said.”
Lucretia will tell me only what I ask. But what if I don’t know what to ask? I heave a sigh of frustration. “Okay. Why does Malachi want me to open the nymphaeum door?”
“Because, for the fates to walk this plane, so must the nymphs.” She shifts toward Gesine, cocking her head to appraise her form.
“And he wants to be king again.” We’ve suspected as much.
“I could assume so, but I have not spoken to him personally, and I do not peddle assumptions as others do.” She traces a finger over Gesine’s gold collar. “You will have to ask him that. You have a sanctum above us, do you not?”
I catch her meaning. “I am not summoning him.” Just the thought makes me shudder.
Lucretia shrugs. “Then you will not have your answer to that question until it comes to pass.” She veers around, approaching me. “You are far too worried about the past, my queen. You should focus on your future.” From this proximity, the yellow in her irises gives way to a ring of red around her pupil.
“What does that look like?”
“As Queen for All? My Highness, the possibilities are endless for you. The power contained in Ulysede will spread, healing the lands of its impurities.”
“What about the blood curse?”
“Gifted by Malachi.” She dips her head once. “It has already begun, has it not? Outside these gates, where the land suffers, does it not show signs of new life?”
“The grass,” I whisper. Is that what’s happening?
“An unfortunate scar upon the land when Ulysede was sealed, but my masters will repair what damage they have caused.”
If the nymphs can fix broken land … “And the rift? Will that close?”
“I am afraid even my masters’ connection to this world cannot reverse some damage. And some, they would not wish to fix.” Lucretia moves along the wall, skimming the engraving with her fingertips. It’s as if she can’t stay still.
“What is all that scripture on the wall for? What does it do?”
“Not much anymore. The fates have caused great havoc since my masters were here last.”
“What was it for?”
“For finding answers. I will show you when the time is right.”
“Aren’t you supposed to answer all of my questions?”
“You are not asking the right ones.” Lucretia strolls past Jarek, reaching up to toy with one of his braids. “I would very much like to keep this one for a while.”
His body stiffens. I see nothing but murder in his gaze as it meets hers.
I grit my teeth with frustration. Okay, fine. She wants the right questions? “What happens if I don’t open the nymphaeum door, don’t release the nymphs?”
Lucretia freezes, his braid slipping from her fingertips. “Whatever do you mean, Your Highness?” Her head cocks; she looks genuinely confused.
“Exactly what I said. What if Zander and I don’t take the stone on Hudem and the nymphs remain wherever they are?”
Realization dawns on her face. “That is what you believe must happen?”
“Isn’t it?”
“Though, of course, I suppose it is not your fault. Even Malachi was misinformed once, with disastrous results. Though I thought they would have figured it out, as Malachi since has. But these wielders and their assumptions …” She tsks.
Wariness slips down my spine as I steal a look toward Gesine to find her eyes squeezed shut. “What are you saying, Lucretia?”
She closes in on me, studying my features intently. “That it is already begun, Your Highness. It began the moment you unsealed the door to Ulysede.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ROMERIA
I’ve already unsealed the door.
I feel the blood drain from my face as I replay her words in my head. “No, that’s … not possible.”