Page 96

I gritted my teeth. “My mother was not divine. She was merely a vampire and a peasant at that. She begged and scraped for everything we possessed. Sacrificed her own needs to provide for me. Despite her valiant efforts, we lived in squalor.”

“And what do you know of your father?”

“Only that I was the product of an affair that brought her much suffering and heartache. Once I was abed, he’d visit her in secret. I never even knew his name.” Nor did I care to.

“Then I’m sorry to be the one to tell you. Your father was none other than King Helix, Idris’s father. You are King Helix’s bastard son. Helix himself was also a bastard, his sire being one of the gods. Being a demigod, he passed that divine spark to his offspring.”

“That’s…not possible.” My frozen brain moved as though wading through snow.

“Isn’t it? King Helix was a virile male in a loveless marriage.”

Runa wavered at my side. “I’m going to need a minute.” She braced her hands on her knees and hung her head, hyperventilating.

“Are you saying I’m the son of the demigod, King Helix?And, at some point, had an enchantment placed on me to suppress my divine power?”

“Precisely.” Queen Elowen nodded.

I’d already known I was a bastard. The realization that I was aroyalbastard meant little to me. I certainly hadn’t benefited from my god-given heritage. Neither had my mother.

“If you ask me, it’s incomprehensible that someone suppressed your powers all these years. I couldn’t imagine a more desperate act. Whoever did this must have been faced with no other choice. I mean, the long-term effects of such a spell are dreadful. Then again, I would expect nothing less from the inhabitants of Carcerem.”

After her shocking news, I dreaded what else she had to share. “What effects?” I forced myself to ask.

“Well, look at you. Can you even summon a spark of magic?”

“I…do not know.”

She held up her hand, her fingertips glowing gold. “Hold up your hand and order the power to come forth. It’s an innate ability. One that should require little effort.”

I held up my hand, feeling something stir inside of me. I snapped my fingers, and sparks shot from my fingertips, then sputtered and fizzled.

The queen snorted a disgusted huff.

“It’s exactly as I suspected. Your well of energy is empty. The connection between you and the realm’s pool of obsidian is long broken. It could take decades to replenish your divine gifts. Such a disappointment. You’re of no good to me until you’re strong enough to restore the balance.”

“Which balance would that be?” I asked.

Runa straightened beside me, massaging her temples, grumbling, “Helix’s son, and he isn’t even aware there’s a balance.” Her face remained pale, and she refused to meet my eyes.

“Fates save me, you really are ignorant.” The queen’s voicesnapped with impatience. “Since your half-brother Idris claimed the throne, the realm’s equilibrium has been off, and not just in Carcerem, but in all five of the surviving Arbor Kingdoms. My seers assured me that in time, all would be well. That the true king would return one span. I had such hope when I sensed your arrival.”

Given my lifelong absence, I was subject to an excessive amount of blame. I gritted my teeth. “I fail to see how my arrival was to accomplish such a lofty goal.”

She smacked the armrest of her majestic throne. “Are you daft? Because you’re the lost king of Carcerem. The one who will fulfill the prophecy.”

Beside me, Runa sucked a noisy breath and braced her palms on her knees once more. I worried she might pass out, tempted to crumble beside her. Thoughts raced through my mind, colliding.

The queen arched a regal brow. “You didn’t know?”

“No, Your Majesty.” Flark me. It was bad enough I was a royal bastard with broken magic. Now I was prophesied to save a realm?

She shook her head, for the first time showing an ounce of apathy. “I imagine this news is quite the shock, then. You were taken from your home at a young age. It’s a shame your mother didn’t prepare you. Nonetheless, you’re here now, and there is much work to be done. That is, should you choose to stay. I was disappointed to learn you plan to return to your disgusting mortal world.”

“If Carcerem’s throne is rightfully mine, then how is it I ended up in the mortal world? How did all of this come to pass?” After her revelations, I had a million questions and few answers.

“The story is a long one.” She sighed. “Frankly, I’ve little interest in the tale of your youth, only the outcome. Since my time can be better spent elsewhere, I’ve summoned my most trusted seer to explain everything to you. Guard.” Queen Elowengestured to one of her men at the back of the room. “You may send her in.”

Bells jingled behind us.