“I’m also Romeria. That was the name my mom gave me.” She once told me it came to her in a dream. Maybe it did, but now I have to wonder if Malachi was somehow whispering in her ear. Or, more likely, Sofie. “But I’ve never plotted to kill anyone, and I don’t hate the Islorians.” In fact, I love one with everything I am. “Consider us two separate people. The old princess is dead, and I have no idea what she was planning, but I will do everything in my power to stop it.”
Silence falls like a heavy stage curtain over the room.
“The old princess could not heal fatal sword wounds and launch commanders through the air,” Kienen says quietly. “Her eyes did not glow silver.”
Gesine said Kienen was respectful to the elementals—unlike the others—so he must value them. That, or have a healthy fear of them. Either way, he isn’t ignorant to what they are and aren’t capable of.
“Yeah, I come with a few extra skills.” That I’m still learning how to use, but they don’t need to know that yet.
“Why would Malachi do this?” Radomir asks.
“The fates do not explain themselves,” Zander cuts in, silently pleading with me. I can practically hear his warning in my mind. It’s too dangerous.
For weeks, Wendeline hid the truth from me about what I was, and when she revealed it, it was with a stark warning that I would be executed if anyone found out. Then I hid it from Zander, afraid he would kill me as she feared he might, until I couldn’t anymore.
He didn’t kill me, but he warned me that others would without question or remorse.
Since then, Jarek has figured it out on his own, and he hasn’t killed me.
Abarrane would have killed me, had she been given the chance in that tent in Eldred Wood, but she seems to have accepted me too.
For months, it’s been one lie and secret after another, to hide what I am.
To protect me.
But there is great value in what I am. Zander saw it, even when he was holding me at arm’s length.
I have to hope these elven will see it as well.
I offer Zander a reassuring smile, one that I hope says It’s time to stop hiding. “To answer your question, Radomir, Malachi brought me here because he needed a key caster in order to open the nymphaeum door.”
Kienen curses.
Telor’s face—already sallow—pales even more. “Are you saying that you are a key caster?”
I take a deep breath. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Behind me, I sense Jarek shifting, ready to defend me against attack.
But Telor only leans against the map table as if for support as he digests this news.
“This is why all these Nulling creatures have come out of hiding,” Kienen muses. “They’re drawn to you.”
“To all casters, but me especially.”
“And you knew this about her?” Telor stares at Zander, his tone filled with accusation. You knew what she was and yet you didn’t kill her when you had the chance?
Zander shakes his head. “Not until we were running from Cirilea. It was a shock to me, at first.”
“And now?”
“Now …” Zander’s smile is soft. “I know Romeria’s heart. I know she speaks only the truth when she says she wants to undo all that Ybaris has done to us.”
Can he sense the relief that’s swelling inside me?
One secret is out, and no one’s drawn their sword … yet.
“Where did he find you?” Radomir asks.
I laugh. “That is a question for another time. Trust me.”
“But how? How does one rid us of this terrible poison that is tearing apart Islor, murdering its people every day?” Telor looks to me. “I will admit, I do not know much of caster affinities or what a key caster is capable of, but I assume if you were capable, you would have done it already.”
He might not know about caster affinities, but he’s wise and his words are sharp. And they offer a new clarity. “You’re right, I can’t do it. Not on my own. I need help.”
“From whom? Mordain?”
“No. From the nymphs.”
Telor’s eyes widen, but he remains quiet.
“They built Ulysede. Their power is at its pulse. You’ve been inside the city for hours now. You’ve felt the difference, haven’t you? You’ve seen what it can do?” I gesture toward Radomir.
Telor studies the sapling. “I did not see this transformation that Zander claims, no. But I do feel the difference in myself.”