Page 140 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

“What is it?” Viridian asks, his voice carrying the weight of his—and my—concern.

“Dark magic,” Vorr says, his voice low. “A horrible curse—my curse.”

My abdomen tightens. The image of Hylmfirth is clear in my mind.

“Your curse?” Viridian echoes, as if he doesn’t believe him.

“Yes.” Vorr lifts his head, burnt-orange eyes swimming with guilt. “When I was young and in love, I—I made a mistake. One I almost regret.”

“What did you do, Father?”

“I took something.” Vorr’s voice weakens. “Something that wasn’t mine to take.”

“What did you take?” Viridian asks. “Perhaps it can be returned. There may still be a chance we can repair what’s been bro—”

“No.” Vorr’s expression hardens. “It can’t. The time for that is long gone.”

“Why not?” Viridian asks, shaking his head slightly, as if he can’t contain the tidal wave of emotions swirling inside.

Vorr says nothing, pressing his lips into a fine line.

“Father,” Viridian presses. “Tell me.”

“Another time, son.” Vorr’s eyes shine with pain. “Please.”

“Fine.” Viridian grumbles. “But we will return to this matter.”

“I’d expect nothing less from the future king.”

I give them a moment, before interjecting. “What does any of this have to do with the mining sickness? And the ruined metals?”

“A cursed sickness shall poison everything the wrongdoer touches,” Vorr recites, as if he heard the words for the first time just yesterday. “But by the blessing of Theelia, the righteous heir and lost golden daughter will unite as one. For from the bonds of love will come the ultimate sacrifice. And only from that sacred gift, shall these wrongs be righted, and this curse be broken.”

My head is swimming.

“Viridian…” I start. “There’s still something I haven’t told you.”

In front of us, Vorr closes his eyes, as if to brace himself for a blow.

Viridian slows, and the intensity of his stare tells me that I have his undivided attention. As if his father weren’t still here with us. “You can tell me anything.”

“I know,” I assure him. Placing my palm on his upper arm, I give him a light squeeze. “When I saw my father—” I pause, struggling to find the words. “I’m the lost golden daughter, Viridian. Lady Helenia Pelleveron is my birth mother.”

His dark brows rise, shock hanging on his features. “How?”

“My mother, Nira, served the Pelleverons. At the time, Lady Helenia had a human lover.”

I see Viridian working out the details in his mind. “She took you home.”

“Yes.”

The color drains from his face when he realizes. “The righteous heir and lost golden daughter will unite as one,” he recites, putting the pieces together. “For from the bonds of love will come the ultimate sacrifice. And only from that sacred gift, shall these wrongs be righted, and this curse be broken.”

Turning back to his father, Viridian’s handsome face twists with anger. With pain. “This marriage… It was all a scheme to right your wrongs.”

Vorr doesn’t even try to deny it. “Yes.”

“The ultimate sacrifice…” My voice trails off. I cover my mouth. “Viridian… One of us has to die.”

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