Page 37 of When Wishes Bleed

He shook his head. “Your grandmother hated that she read for me. She said that Cyril was more loyal to me than to her own kind. She thought we were lovers. We weren’t, of course. Your mother was hand-fasted to another, and I was newly married as well. But people make assumptions and jump to incorrect conclusions sometimes. For the record, I love Annalina very much. I have never, and would never be unfaithful to her.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Who was my mother hand-fasted to?” Fate called himself my father, but I was a child when he claimed me as his daughter. Someone else was my biological father, but who was he? My father’s identity was a detail I’d asked for and never received. Everyone said it wasn’t important, but it was important to me then, and it still was now.

“She never said, and I didn’t ask. When we met, it was for a reading. We weren’t friends, Sable, and thank God we weren’t enemies. There were things Cyril could do that were frightening, frankly.”

I swallowed, wondering if he suspected that I could likely do the same things.

“Is my son in love with you? I know that witches cannot marry. If he loves you, Sable, you should go back to Thirteen as quickly as possible. I don’t want to see him hurt.”

I pressed my lips closed. “I don’t believe he does.”

“If he develops feelings for you, I want you to leave.”

“Before I determine who wants him dead?”

He inclined his head, though I could tell it was difficult for him to do so. The tendons in his neck were so taut, I thought they might snap.

“What would I state as the reason, when I’ve agreed to come and identify his murderer?”

Fate filled my mouth with bitterness again.

“While we appreciate it, we don’t need your help, Sable. This palace is well guarded. No ruler of Nautilus has been slain in two hundred years.”

“With all due respect, I don’t believe you can defend him. Fate instructed me to accept his invitation. I’ve been sent here to protect Tauren. Fate wouldn’t have sent me if he thought you or your guard could handle whomever plans to kill him. Besides, if you knew my mother, you know that I can’t simply leave. That would defy him, and I would pay a very heavy price for doing so, a greater price than I already owe for coming to aid him.”

“Then I suggest you work quickly, for I fear he’s already too fond of you,” the King replied, standing up and offering his hand.

If he knew my mother, he knew I could read him.

When my palm slid against his, there was a kaleidoscope of color. The King was genuine. He wanted what was best for his son, what was best for his people. He envisioned standing beside him, placing his crown on Tauren’s head. Bouncing grandchildren on each knee. He wasn’t trying to poison him…

A scene flashed into my mind. A woman with dark hair and silver eyes. She sat at a small table and waved her hand over a crystal ball, mist gnarling within. Across from her sat the young and untested King…

Beneath it all was a layer of anguish and fear.

He tugged his hand away and the scene vanished. “I’ll speak with Tauren in the morning. Have a good night, Sable.”

“Good night.”

He sank into the chair as I slipped away from his study.

I retraced my steps down the corridor to the staircase. With two knuckles, I knocked on Brecan’s door. He answered wearing nothing but a towel. His pale hair dripped water over his shoulders and rolled down his stomach and back. “That didn’t take long.”

“Long enough for you to make yourself at home,” I quipped.

“Have you tried the shower? It’s magical. Hot water. Jets everywhere. I think I might take another, just because I can.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, turning my head away from his bare chest and stomach.

“If anything could rid you of residues from so many readings, it’s the jets along the wall,” he offered, truly looking like he believed they might help. I wished it were so simple.

The residues from the staff assaulted my mind, making my head ache from front to back.

Hooking a thumb over my shoulder, I told him, “I’m going to check on Mira.”

He stared at me like he wanted to say more, but in the end, simply said, “Good night, Sable.”

I gave him a slight smile, realizing things between us had changed and might never be the same as they were before. I trudged to Mira’s door.

---