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“No, Your Highness,” Vanya says and her voice softens. “It was your mother’s.”

Theo’s head snaps to look at her, his eyes wide. The muscle at his jaw dances, but he says nothing.

“How do you know?” I ask Vanya, brushing a reassuring hand across Theo’s arm. He catches my hand before I can pull away. Vanya and Inez pretend not to notice.

“This was her altar to the Saints so she could pray in private.” Vanya indicates to the far side of the room. Theo and I step closer to inspect it.

A table has been carved out of the wall, rough but sturdy. Small statues line up like soldiers, each one painted a different colour. Ipick one up delicately, curious.

“That is the Celestial,” Vanya murmurs over my shoulder. I turn the figure this way and that, watching the silver and blue dance in the light. “Saint of wisdom and intelligence.”

“And charisma.” I place it back gently. “It is who silver-tongued dragons prayed to.”

The rest of the figurines match the other Saints—The Idol, Nephel, and Shivanya. I pick the last one up, admiring the details carved into the clay. It is heavy in my hands.

“That is my Saint,” Vanya tells me, nodding approvingly. She makes the sign of Shivanya, tapping her forehead and her throat in quick succession. “And my namesake.”

“You pray to justice?” Inez pipes up, peering around me. “An admirable choice.”

“I agree,” I say, placing Shivanya down again where she stands proudly. “She is my namesake also. My father is not a witch—he followed the Saints and chose my name before I was born.”

Bitterness sits uncomfortably in my mouth at the thought of my cowardly father naming his only daughter after the Saint of justice. I run my tongue across my teeth to rid myself of it.

“I can see why. She was known for her iron will.” Inez smiles at me and I manage to dredge up a smile back.

I cast a sidelong glance over the purpletorches. Yet another remnant of witchcraft in this castle. I slot the information away next to the enchanted book and the hidden escape tunnel. Vanya, too, has her place in my mind next to the other mysteries. I eye her as she lingers next to the altar, an unreadable expression on her face.

I turn to see Theo planted firmly on the other side of the room, watching us with interest but making no move to come any closer. He fidgets awkwardly.

“Perhaps it is time we make our way back to the festivities,” I suggest, and relief floods his face.

“I agree.” He nods and, without hesitation, steps back into the passageway. Vanya and Inez follow closely behind. I give one last look at the queen’s secret altar—her lovingly crafted statues and the enchanted torches on the wall. I chew the inside of my cheek, thoughtful, before turning my back and leaving.

Chapter 26

Aweek later, Theo turns.

I am summoned to his chambers in the early hours of the morning when a few stars are still stubbornly twinkling in the orange sky. When I arrive, he is lying in his bed in a familiar bloody state. I hurry over to him. Even though I have become accustomed to this routine, concern still floods my mind. His turning has become less and less frequent, and I worry it is the calm before the storm.

“Theo.” I grasp his hand. “I am here.”

He smiles weakly at me, his cheek pressed against the pillow.

“A silver lining to this curse,” he wheezes. “You have a reason to visit me.”

“I would visit you regardless.” I brush his matted hair from his forehead.

“Ah, yes, the agreement.” The corner of his mouth tugs upwards, and I roll my eyes at his ability to tease even during intense pain.

“Let me fetch the lavender tonic,” I say, but he stops me as I move.

“No, wait.” He licks his chapped lips. “It is a little easier tonight. The pain is less sharp.”

I eye him dubiously.

“Are you quite sure?”

“I am. But…” He winces. “I am rather sick of sleeping covered in blood.”