Page 215

Then I realize there's other news he may or may not know. "Matilda… " I say, unsure how to proceed.

"I know she was attacked," he says softly.

"Yes, but she's okay now I think. But that's not all," I say, struggling to find the right words.

Understanding dawns on his face and he nods. "So, she finally told you?" he asks.

I narrow my eyes. "Told me what?"

"That she's a Fate."

"No! She didn't tell me, but yes, I did find out. I had a memory of it. But how the hell did you know?" I ask, confused.

We walk back into my bedroom, and I take a seat in front of the fire as Moon makes a spot on my lap. Cole takes the chair next to me. "I didn't know for sure, but I've suspected for some time. She's always had visions and known things she shouldn't. She's been around forever but no one has ever really known what she is, or where her power comes from. It just made sense."

"Why didn't you tell your brothers? Or me?"

"For one, it wasn't my secret to tell. Matilda had her reasons for keeping her identity to herself and I wasn't going to betray that. And two, I didn't know for sure. Also, it's not like my brothers and I have been close," he says.

"Why aren't you angry with her if you've stayed angry with your brothers for so long?"

"Because I don't know what her direct role was in what happened to me. I know what theirs was."

"Oh Cole," I say, my heart breaking for him all over again. "They aren't the same men they were back then. They weren't strong enough to fight the powers that controlled your lives."

"And they are now?" he asks bitterly.

"We're all stronger," I say. "Together." I look pointedly at him. "I'm working on a plan to stop the Mother of Dragons, but I'll need everyone's help. Including yours. We can't do this without you. Can I count on you to help?"

Cole looks at me, his dark eyes hypnotizing and full of so much pain. "I'll do what I can. But this isn't a battle that will be easily won. What's your plan?" he asks.

"Like I said, I'm still working on it." Sheesh, doesn't anyone listen? "But I'm open to suggestions."

Chapter 16: The Goodbyes

“Goodbyes are onlyfor those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”

Rumi

Cole joins his brothers,spending time with Matilda, and when they are done, we all meet in the library and spend hours brainstorming ways to defeat the queen, but the fact is we just don't know enough. We only know one way to kill her—the unicorn dagger—but no one has a solid plan for how to get it into her heart, which seems to be the sure fire way to get the job done. Ra'Terr was simply injured with a horn, and his death is coming slowly, too slowly to stop the queen.

It's a tedious back and forth that ends with Cole jumping up in frustration. "We should all just leave. Get out of here. Get as many people off this world as possible, sure, but then we leave. We can't win this."

"He doesn't know?" Liam asks.

I shake my head. I really don't want to have this conversation. Again. But it seems I must.

And so I tell Cole what everyone else now knows. That I won't survive the destruction of this world.

That silences him, and without saying another word, he storms out of the library.

I lean back in the couch and close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose to alleviate a headache. The fire crackles and candles are lit around the room creating an ambiance I don't feel. I'm tired of arguing. Of planning. Of worrying.

Standing, I pick up Alina from the crib and hold her against my chest. Her baby fists reach for anything they can grab, settling for a bit of my shirt that she tries to shove into her mouth.

"I'm going for a walk," I say.

Sebastian stands. "I'll join you, if that's all right?"