Page 44 of The Horned King

"And I know of every possible future that still might," Onala explains.

Olath speaks again, "And I know things as they do."

"That must be very exhausting," I comment. My abilities might be uncomfortable at the worst of times, but at least I can be free of them in isolation.

The sisters look at each other, sharing a look that I can't decipher.

"You haven't tried to shake any of our hands," Ovoor asks. "I wonder if it's out of respect or disrespect."

"Oh." Fear threatens to drown me. "I mean no disrespect at all, Your Majesties. I just..." I search for the right words. "You know who I am, what I am. I would hate for you to think I was trying to use my abilities against you."

My eyes dart around for a moment, hoping Kairon isn't listening in on this particular conversation. On the other side of the room, he stands with King Colm, but through the gaping holes of his mask, there's no mistaking the heat of his gaze locked on me. I didn't even notice him walking away, too captivated by the witches' abrupt arrival.

"Your secret is safe with us," Onala assures me. "Your powers are yours and yours alone to do with what you please."

Ovoor adds, "And we appreciate your honesty."

"You're afraid of us. Why?" Olath asks.

"Don't you already know that?" I chuckle, and they do, too, to my surprise.

With a grin, Onala answers, "We simply want to hear it directly from you. Pretend we know nothing and speak freely."

"Well, as I'm sure you know," I smile, adding, "in Rhyma, they believe you to be... wicked. Evil."

Ovoor hmms. "You say they, and yet, you are Rhyman, are you not? In fact, you're meant to be their voice while here with us."

"Yes, of course, I am Rhyman. But saying we believe that wouldn't be accurate." I continue, "I think perhaps our isolation has left us with ideas of others that aren't entirely true."

"Or perhaps you've been misled." Ovoor raises her brows. "Fear of outsiders is a powerful tool to keep people under the control of their leaders."

"Well, yes, but…" I clear my throat, and the invisible pressure on it becomes more intense. "I am one of those leaders. I am not some random girl from the side of the road that they chose to negotiate peace. I've worked my entire life for this. Studied all of our history books and even some from Fastid that I was able to get my hands on. If we had proof that you are as the king says, surely I would have found it and shared it with my people."

Olath reaches out a hand, placing it on my shoulder. "We aren't suggesting that you're not educated, Elva. Or that you're not worthy of this position. We are simply saying that perhaps your superiors hide things from you."

"I think you misunderstand how we do things in Rhyma," I argue. A voice in the back of my head begs me to see reason, see that they can't misunderstand. But I need to cling to this denial a bit longer. I can't have any more life-changing discoveries at this time, or I'll lose what's left of my sanity. "There are no superiors and inferiors. We are all equal, just doing different jobs."

Onala sighs a heavy sound as if she holds the weight of the world on her chest, taking my hand in hers. It's ice-cold and blissfully devoid of emotion. "Child," she begins. "You make the mistake of thinking everyone is as well-intentioned as you are. You think your abilities make you immune to being deceived, but in fact, feelings and emotions are the perfect manipulation. Many feel one thing and act in a way completely opposite to it." Her words echo alongside the ones Kairon told me when I first arrived. But I don't believe that everyone has good intentions. Just most people.

"No." I shake my head. "Then why send me, knowing everything I've been taught is a lie?"

If a stare as blank as hers could be filled with sorrow, I think it might be in this moment. "You'll find out soon enough, my child. I can't interfere, you see."

"But, take comfort in this," Olath tells me. "There is no one else who could do what you're doing. It has to be you."

"Why?"

They all stare at me, their faces showing nothing of what they might be thinking or feeling. "We cannot interfere," they say at once.

"Don't bother." King Kairon's voice reaches my ear from behind me, and I refuse to turn around or acknowledge him at all. "They'll say the same unhelpful thing over and over again."

"Your Majesty," their voices join in unison to greet him. "We were wondering when you would finally join us."

"I was not," I bite. "In fact, I was hoping I could be left to speak to the queens in peace and be uninterrupted by you for once."

The witch queens all smile, taunting, twisted things directed at the king behind me.

"I like this one," Olath comments.

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