Page 29

“All that remains of the last Revisan Queen.” Kaelis places his palm gently on the edge of the sarcophagus.

The Revisan Kingdom is from a historical period only moderately more recent than the myth of the Fool.

It’s a kingdom that fell ages ago, giving way to the feudal clans and ultimately Oricalis.

But every story about it reads more like legend than fact.

I always knew the fortress was the remnants of the former kingdom. But…

“I never knew her tomb was here.”

“Why would the current kingdom honor its predecessor in any fashion?” Kaelis’s hand slides across the surface of the stone, coming toa stop at the woman’s hand. “Don’t worry, I’m not here to bore youwith inconsequential histories or show you bones of forgotten queens—only powerful secrets.”

He pushes on the shining sapphire inlaid into the queen’s ring finger, the only feature on the sarcophagus not made of gray stone. A low click sounds somewhere deep within it. The sarcophagus slides on unseen tracks to reveal an opening in the floor leading to a staircase.

We descend, looping and looping, deeper and deeper into the heart of the academy.

The darkness of the spiral stairs lifts to reveal a cavernous room.

Thick beams support a ceiling that soars so high above my head, it’s impossible to make out the carvings and colors that dance upon them.

The floor is covered in plush carpets that cushion our footfalls.

Yet, even without any sound heralding our arrival, most of the occupants of the room all turn to face us in near unison.

There are seven in total, illuminated by a wall of tall, narrow windows that punch through the cliffs the academy sits upon, and within.

I’ve never seen the waters of the ocean this close before.

But my focus isn’t on the churning waves, rather, the three men who lounge on one side in luxurious chairs and couches gathered around a blazing hearth.

I instantly recognize Eza and the other two as my assailants, but I don’t let any panic show on my face.

I allow my gaze to move along, rather than lingering on them.

In the center of the room is an assortment of tables and chairs. Each sitting area has a different purpose, from reading tarot to gaming to inking cards. A woman I don’t recognize stands with two others at an inking table.

“Myrion? Sorza?” I blurt.

“Oh, you’re here, too?” Sorza looks up from what she was working on, startled.

“It’s good to see you’ve joined us, Clara.” Myrion smiles warmly. “I had a sense about you.”

“What is this place?” I finish my inspection of the room, ending with the dueling floor to the left, where one last individual relaxes out of their stance.

“This is the Sanctum of the Majors,” Kaelis answers.

“A secret space where you all may work and hone your skills without having to hide the fact that your abilities exceed those of normal students.” So I’m not the only one who’s been hiding my power…

Rather than excitement, unease courses through me.

I thought I’d had an advantage. “Clara, meet your fellow Major Arcana.”

“We’re about twelve shy of the complete Major Arcana,” I point out the obvious, still having a hard time believing any of this.

“Like all the Major Arcana would happen to have come into their powers within three years of each other so we could all attend the academy together,” Eza says sarcastically, intentionally loud enough for me to hear.

I willfully ignore him.

“The other twelve went through the academy in their time, or not, if it was before the days of the academy proper. Either way, upon completion of their studies and their fealty to the crown, they were assigned a post just as any other graduated Arcanist would be,” Kaelis explains and then starts back for the stairs. “And now I’ll leave you toit.”

“You’re just going to leave me here?” I blurt.

“Yes, cling to your lover’s coattails,” one of the men by the fire jeers, his voice dripping with disdain, striking a nerve in me…and in the prince.

Kaelis’s attention shifts off me and back to them, his stare turning colder.

I step into his line of sight and harden my gaze.

They’re right. I can’t depend on Kaelis of all people.

And I won’t. Not after all he and his family have done to me.

It doesn’t matter if he’s protecting me now.

He doesn’t care about me; I’m safe only as long as I’m useful to him.

The only people I can truly depend on are my family at the Starcrossed Club.

“I do hope she clings to me,” Kaelis says, eyes still on them even though he takes a step closer to me. His attention drops to my face with a look that threatens to devour me whole. “After all, she is my bride.”

Kaelis’s fingers run down my shoulder to my hand and lace with mine. Then he brings my hand to his lips. Our conversation in the conservatory reminded me more than ever of the importance of our ruse if I’m to stay safe.

“I will see you again soon.” I add a flirtatious note to my voice, trying to keep up the guise. My hand shifts as he releases it, and I caress his cheek and lightly touch his lip. His skin is softer than I expected. Kaelis’s eyes widen slightly. My smile goes from somewhat forced to actually coy.

Two can play this game, I want to say.

“I look forward to it.” His voice is deep with an implication that would send a rush across any woman’s flesh. The air is colder as he turns and leaves, my hand hovering in the air for a breath where he just was.

Kaelis isn’t gone for more than a second before I hear footsteps racing toward my back.