Page 56

The Ghosts of Her Heart

Filip kept to himself and didn’t stop Adelina from going straight to Damir. Even the guard positioned outside his door moved aside and allowed her in. She couldn’t comprehend why they’d given her time to share grief with her husband, but she didn’t care. She needed him.

He met her gaze with his own hollow one. Instead of offering words of condolence, he simply held his arms out for her. She suspected he’d heard the screaming—the sound would’ve carried. It echoed in her mind like a ghost and would live there for eternity.

“These walls aren’t as thick as they appear,” he whispered, confirming her suspicions. “I’m so sorry.”

She buried her face against his chest. A thick lump wedged itself in her throat, an intense ache gripped her insides, and her eyes stung. She hadn’t thought her heart could break further—she was wrong. The fragments turned to dust.

“I’m with you. I’ve got you.” He stroked the back of her head, holding her tight. He began to pick up each grain of dust, and while she knew he’d try everything he could to find a way to piece them back together, she didn’t think such a task was possible.

Even with her eyes clamped shut, she couldn’t rid herself of the image of her sister’s still body. Her pale skin. She was a child. Filip murdered her sister. A child . How could she rise against him? Inflict her revenge on him?

Although each of her muscles ached from weariness, she wanted to do something— anything —to make him accountable, to show the world she was not Filip’s pawn, she wouldn’t bend to his will, nor allow anyone else to fall by his hand.

Tihana was more than a piece in his game, and so was she. And she’d make sure he remembered it.

Withdrawing from their embrace, she tilted her chin up to meet Damir’s soft gaze. “We have to do something.”

“I know.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “We’ll be heading back to Kirovo Palace soon.”

“I didn’t find the book in the Saintlandsther Council building. Yelena believes there’s something that’ll help me—some spell to finally put a stop to Filip.” She wrapped her fingers around his hand as he traced a line down her cheek. “We’ll find it. Filip will pay for his crimes.”

“I believe you.” He bent to kiss her, and the softness of his lips and the warmth it shot through her core dulled the ache in her fragmented heart. “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

She hadn’t told him the full extent of what Filip was up to, nor disclosed the contents of the book she translated and Veles’ involvement. There was no point in worrying him when there wasn’t much he could do. It was up to her, and as long as her husband was by her side, she’d succeed.

A thundering knock on the door broke them apart.

“Time’s up,” the soldier hollered from outside. “You’re both needed up at dawn for the journey to Kirovo Palace.”

Damir grasped her hands and squeezed. “We’ll be fine. I promise.”

She nodded, unsure whether she truly believed it. After a final kiss, she let go and headed out of the room.

∞∞∞

Sitting in her saddle, Adelina waited for Filip to give the command to move out.

Their supplies were packed and strapped to the horses.

A handful of soldiers were ordered to stay behind, to maintain control of the city until Filip could position someone trustworthy— and easily bent to his will —in the Temauten Congregation.

Filip hadn’t cast a glance in her direction, nor said a single word to her. He was lucky he hadn’t—she wasn’t at all sure she could keep her rage in check. The sight of him made her want to vomit .

Within half an hour, they’d ridden out of Murtei and along the dirt path heading north. They’d cut through the mountain and follow the route back to Kirovo.

Casting a glance over her shoulder, she looked a Damir. He rode close by, under the watchful gaze of surrounding soldiers. He nodded at her, which she took as a sign he was okay.

It took them two weeks to reach the gates of Kirovo Palace. Adelina couldn’t shake the weariness in her bones, nor the black cloud following her. The only hope of light was Yelena, and the help she could offer.

Damir was escorted back to the prison cells beneath the palace, and Filip sent orders for his father to be brought there. Shortly after, he disappeared into his study. She headed straight to the training room, then slipped into Yelena’s secret office.

“You look dreadful.” Yelena shut the disguised door behind her. “What happened?”

“My sister died.” The words tasted sour in Adelina’s mouth.

“Oh.” Yelena lifted her hand to her chest. “I’m so sorry.”

Adelina shook her head, blinking back tears. “Don’t be. It’s not like you forced Filip to murder her.”

“He’s a vicious monster,” Yelena spat. “Did you find the book?”

“No.” Adelina set in a pace across the wooden floorboards. “All the astral books were removed. Filip was two steps ahead of me—he knew I’d look for them. He was testing me, and I walked straight into his trap. As punishment, he forced me to kill the Saintlandsther Council. Olga and Kira are dead.”

Yelena’s mouth opened. “I…I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m sorry.” Adelina pushed the words out—the lump in her throat made her voice thick. “Olga was your friend.”

In quick strides, Yelena closed the space between them, grabbed Adelina’s hands, and halted her pacing. “Don’t ever apologise for that bastard. It’s not your fault.”

“I’m not sure,” Adelina whispered. “Filip said I’m not so different from him, and well…maybe I’m starting to believe him. The person I was a few months ago would never have let innocent people die. No matter the cost.”

“Even if the cost was Damir or your family?” Yelena raised her brows. “I’m sure that’s how Filip got you to submit, right?”

“Yes,” she breathed—her grief clawing at her throat, gripping her.

“My sister’s death isn’t even the worst of it.

There were so many people who died. Soldiers.

Civilians. Filip has his men stationed in Pike and Murtei to ensure they remain defeated.

What about the people who survived, still living there? ”

“Hey, calm down. Focus on one thing at a time.” Yelena’s voice was feather-light. Soothing.

Adelina tried to heed Yelena’s advice, but her mind darted back and forth. Between one problem and the next. “I think he’s suspicious of the sword too.”

“What do you mean?” Yelena frowned, and crow’s feet sprouted from the corner of her eyes .

Resting her hands on the back of a chair, Adelina attempted to get her thoughts in order.

“He’s been using it this whole time…to kill people.

There was no reaction when he first touched it—not like what I experienced when Svarog forged it for me—and there was no effect when he used it to cut down his enemies.

He might as well be wielding a normal weapon.

There’s nothing remotely magical about it. ”

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Yelena said. “The Sword of Light should’ve changed its loyalties when you gave it to Filip. After all, it possesses both of your souls.”

“Even so, I’m telling you, something isn’t right.”

“Well, let’s see it as a good thing.” Yelena straightened. “Filip doesn’t need more power than he has.”

Adelina couldn’t see it as a good thing, no matter how hard she tried. Filip wasn’t stupid. He’d question her about it, eventually. If anything, she wondered why he hadn’t demanded answers already.

“If we go based on the assumption that he does know something is off with the sword,” she said, voicing her concerns, “why has he not spoken of it?”

Yelena shrugged. “Why would he? It would show he relies on you for information—no book is going to tell him. If the answer was in a book somewhere, he’d know by now.

After all, he has the entire astral collection in his possession.

He’s not going to want to appear weak, or less in control, in front of you. He’ll try to figure it out on his own.”

“Veles speaks to him like Svarog does to me,” Adelina said. “Perhaps Veles will tell Filip something about the sword’s allegiance. ”

“Possibly.” Yelena’s lips twisted as she pondered. “There’s no way for us to know what goes down between Veles and Filip. Since the sword is in Filip’s possession now, they won't worry about you using it against him.”

“He has control of all three countries, at least through their council buildings.” Adelina’s eyes widened as her memory shifted to the council leader of the Temauten Congregation. “Wait…Nikolay wasn’t in the battle. Do you know where he is? Has he sent you a letter?”

“No, it’s too dangerous to send letters right now.” Yelena shook her head. “Filip will be intercepting everything sent between the countries. How better to stomp out any rivals than to always remain two steps ahead? Any whiff of treason—revolt—he’ll kill them.”

It was too much. It was all too much. She walked a blade’s edge between keeping her sanity and falling to the floor, overcome with grief and heartache. If she did, it would consume her and there’d be no getting back up.

“What are we to do?” Adelina said breathlessly.

“We need to find the book.” Yelena lifted a finger.

“I’m not even sure which one, but it’s likely Filip would’ve hidden them somewhere close to him.

When you were both away, I had a quick snoop around his office, and I couldn’t find anything.

We’ll need to pay close attention to anything that looks out of place—creaking floorboards, strange latches, anything that looks like it could be a place to hide an important object from unwanted attention. ”

“It would make sense for him to keep the book in his office, seeing as he spends so much of his time there,” Adelina said.

“Yes, but exactly how are we going to get an opportunity to go rifling through it?” Yelena began a slow pace back and forth across the floorboards. “He’ll have to be away for at least an hour for us to have enough time to search for the books and ensure we’ve taken the right one.”