Page 128 of A Cursed Son

I think it’s more likely that she didn’t want to see Fachin anymore once she got close to Ziven, but she’ll probably be upset if I tell her that. I try to ask something else. “What did you and Ziven find out?”

“Not much. They want Renel to fall madly in love with fake Driziely, and I guess from there, gain power and influence over the Crystal Court.”

I remember then the day I was by Otavio’s window. “I heard Otavio and Andrezza once. It seems that this is their plan, not the king’s.”

“Obviously. They think they control us, so once we’re in a position of power, they’ll be powerful as well.”

“It sounds too…” I’m not sure how to express it. “Simple. For me, it felt as if they, or perhaps Otavio only, had a specific goal. I mean, he could be rich without going through all this effort, and he already has influence in Krastel. What can he want with the Crystal Court?”

Tarlia crosses her arms. “I don’t know. Powerful people crave more power. I guess we’ll find out soon.”

Soon. When she gets married. The idea is dreadful. “Renel is Marlak’s enemy. It would put us on opposite sides, Tarlia.”

She winks. “Or maybe we can work together and reunite the family. Who knows?” Her expression changes then, becoming serious. “I’m not going to step down or run, Astra. Especially now that I know how much Sayanne wants this and how far she’d go to get it.”

“I understand. I wouldn’t have run either.” And in fact I didn’t, even though Otavio gave me that chance, but for some reason I don’t want to tell her that, at least not yet. “I’m not asking you to step down, it’s just… It won’t be easy, Tarlia.”

She shakes her head. “Nothing’s easy, but what’s the alternative?”

“I don’t know.”

Tarlia pauses and takes a deep breath. “Also, Otavio asked me to deliver a message to you. He’s saying that he’s the only one who can keep you safe.” She rolls her eyes. “So dramatic.”

Of course she thinks he’s dramatic. She doesn’t know. “That’s it?”

“No.” She has her usual mocking face. “He wants you to know that he hasn’t forgotten you, and for you not to despair. Your torment will end soon.” She breaks down laughing. “The horrible torment of no kisses.”

I don’t find it funny. It’s too similar to Azur’s words. “Do you know if he’s planning a rescue or something?”

“Ziven has been intercepting some messages, but we haven’t found anything mentioning you. So I don’t know. Otavio didn’t ask me to try to get any information from you, so I assume he’ll eventually contact you.” She creases her eyebrows. “I’m not sure how, though. And I can’t see what he’d gain from removing you from your husband. It doesn’t make any sense. But sure, if by torment he means your marriage…” She bites her lips and closes her eyes. “Unless he knows about a plan to kill him.”

I feel a sudden emptiness in my stomach, but try to ignore it. “He’s not easy to kill.”

“Did you try it?” Her tone is curious, not playful or even accusatory.

“No. Even if I hated him, I would first learn where he keeps the crown.”

Shit. I realize I don’t need to know where he keeps it. Marlak can probably summon it any time he wants. All Renel needs to do is find a way to convince him to summon it.

Tarlia watches me, as if she can see the wheels in my head turning. “Astra, you’ll need a plan. Otavio will eventually find you, and you’ll need a better story than saying your husband is horrible because he never kisses you.”

“I never said that!” I’m so annoyed that she keeps insisting on it. “And I’ll tell Otavio the truth: that I don’t know anything.”

She pauses. “You think he’ll buy it?”

A loud crack on the ice wall startles me, then I see it turning into water. That’s not Marlak’s magic.

Ziven’s voice echoes from outside. “He’s listening to everything! So am I. Not on purpose.”

I’m out of air. I can’t believe it. Can’t believe we were so naïve. Can’t believe everything they heard. I look at Tarlia, who pales, then we both head out of the alcove, except that Marlak steps in front of me and blocks my exit.

22

“I’m sorry,” Marlak says. He’s in front of me, arms spread apart, pushing me into the alcove.

Tarlia is walking away, pulling Ziven. “We’ll wait for you downstairs.” Her voice sounds far away. Gone.

I want to ask her to wait, but I don’t think she’ll even hear me.