“I believe you. I just wish you’d start trusting us with the truth up front, rather than hiding it from us.”
“Sometimes the only way to move forward is with good intentions and without permission.”
Because she knows we’d never agree. “Well, it sounds like prophecy is already fulfilled. The nymphs and Malachi don’t need me anymore, so don’t go sacrificing yourself on my account.”
“I do not believe that to be true. The Queen for All will bring peace to the lands, but she cannot do that from the belly of a beast.”
“I suppose not.” I shudder at the thought of being swallowed whole. “But how I’m supposed to bring peace when, apparently, I’ve invited an army of monsters and Malachi through the Nulling, I would love to know. So, if you’re holding back any more thoughts or worries, now would be a good time to share them.”
“There is still much to learn within these walls. If I discover anything, you will be the first to know. I promise.”
We reach the great hall. Zorya waits, her hands on her hips, the irritated look painted across her face harsher than the nymph gargoyle she stands next to.
“I suppose I should be off to find what I can about this dragon beast thing, and any other creatures we might face in the coming days.” Gesine purses her lips. “I would guess the conversation you are about to walk into will require more openness than you had previously hoped.”
Zander already warned me that Kienen named me an impostor and has demanded the truth. Telor knows firsthand of my healing abilities, something elven are not capable of. “We knew it was only a matter of time.”
“Remember that you are a queen, and you decide what they need to know.”
“I can’t lie to everyone forever.” It’s too hard to keep up.
“I did not suggest lying, only that some details are better left unsaid, allowing others to focus on what will aid the cause, which is an honorable one.”
“That’s what you do, Gesine. And it doesn’t feel good.” She withholds details that might distract us, might sway our choices another way. Then again, here we are, standing in a city where the blood curse is gone, so maybe she has a point.
Or maybe it’s time to stop hiding.
“Prophecy will always find a way.” She hesitates. “I know I have stressed the importance of your paths moving forward together, and I still believe this to be true, but while His Highness’s focus must shift to uniting Islor at the rift, I would urge you to use this invaluable time to gain knowledge.”
“You mean, stay in Ulysede while Zander goes out there? Gesine, I can’t—”
“Please, listen to me in this, I implore you.” Gesine grips my forearm, her brow furrowed. “Lucretia is the single-most valuable being at the moment. Far more valuable than I am. Her knowledge may prove vital in decisions you both must make soon enough.”
That means going back down to the crypt with that serpentine creature. “If she’ll speak to me.”
“You are her queen. It is only you she will speak to. There is still much to learn, things that she has hinted at but not explained. What of this Nulling army? She alluded to the possibility of them fighting for you.”
“All they’ve done is try to kill us so far.”
“The beast last night did not, and it knew what you were. Can you imagine if you had the might of it with you?” Her green eyes widen.
I don’t know what the rift passage even looks like, but having that massive body sitting in the middle of it would have to be a deterrent. “Neilina would think twice.”
“All would think twice. You must explore this. I will search for what I can within the pages, but I believe Lucretia will be our better source. And remember, those soldiers and lords waiting in that room for you? They do not have the depth of knowledge into caster affinities and fates. They do not know that the end of the blood curse goes hand in hand with opening the nymphaeum door. They do not know what the nymphs are capable of, both good and bad.”
“Neither do we.”
“And that is what you must find out. You are the only one who can do this, and you can’t if you are at the rift.” With a gentle squeeze of my wrist, Gesine glides down the steps, pausing to offer Zorya a pleasant smile—as if the warrior isn’t scowling—before they leave together, side by side.
“The witch’s bravery last night was commendable, I will give her that,” Jarek grumbles, falling back in line beside me as we climb the stairs toward the war room, where untold confessions await.