Page 7 of Heir of the Autumn Queen

“It is your twentieth birthday, is it not?” she asks, never taking her eyes off me.

Before asking how she knew that, which would be a waste of breath since she’s aseer, I respond with a nervous laugh.“Technically, it was yesterday.”

She waves her hand, dismissing that minor detail.“Well, happybelatedbirthday.” She smiles at me to reveal several missing teeth. Her stark white hair and tattered dress suggest that she lacks even the simplest commodities. She obviously lives alone, and I never see her in town; perhaps these visits with those seeking answers are not only for us but for her as well.

I slide the silver piece that Briar gave me across the table to her, unsure how this process works. She’ll probably just tell me something generic like,you will meet a handsome prince and live happily ever afterand send me on my way.

“You doubt my abilities, Aurelia Amberheart?” Sibyl interrupts my thoughts, rolling the coin I gave her between her bony fingers.

Startled that she seems to have read my mind, I absorb herwords.“What did you call me?”

“Your name,” she states matter-of-factly.

“My surname is Elwood.” I sigh, already regretting spending Briar’s money here since the seer doesn’t even know my name.

“Is it?” She smiles at me unnervingly.

“Speak plainly, Sibyl.” I realize some of the appeal of going to a seer is the mystery of it all, but I’ve never had much patience for silly games.

“You are Aurelia Amberheart of the Autumn Kingdom.” Sibyl holds my stare, once again making me question if she truly is blind.

“Let me get this straight.I’mthe daughter of the late Princess Solana Amberheart?” I roll my eyes, wholly unconvinced.Points for creativity, though.

“Yes.”

“And the notoriously ruthless Queen Selena is my aunt?” I laugh now, deciding that the seer must’ve lost some of her abilities this late in her life. Either that, or she really is just a coin-hungry old lady, like Killian suggested.

“Yes.”

“And my father? Who might he be?” I ask mockingly, placing my chin in my hand and leaning forward like she has my rapt attention.

“Your father is Valko Daybreaker, second-born son of the Summer Kingdom. Banished to The Obsidian Gap when your mother was killed.”

“Sure he is.” I make to stand, tired from being out all night and done with Sibyl’s ludicrous claims.

“Know this, princess.” Sibyl leans forward and stares intomy eyes yet again, clearly not picking up on my feigned enthusiasm of her reading.“If you choose to seek out your aunt, know that she wants you dead. She would not have hesitated to kill her infant niece had the chance arisen… she would not hesitate now.”

Even though I don’t believe a word she’s said, a chill sweeps down my spine at her warning. “Goodbye, Sibyl.” I stand and head back out the way I came, but she calls after me.

“You have more power than you know, Golden One. Do not be afraid to use it.”

Before she can say anything else, I hike up my dress and stumble out of the grimy space, refusing to listen to any more of the seer’s lies.

Chapter Five

Briar wiggles her eyebrows at me as I walk back over to where she’s waiting for me. “So,” she draws out theosound. “How was it?”

“I think Sibyl’s losing her touch.” I shake my head.

“What did she say?” Briar loops her arm through mine again as we make our way back toward my house.

“I’m not sure it’s worth repeating, honestly. I think Killian might’ve been right; seems like she’ll say anything for coin.”

Briar slows her steps, frowning. “I don’t know, Auri. She’s never steered me wrong before.”

“Be that as it may, what she told me can’t be true.” I keep walking, ready to move on from the conversation.

“Well, now Ihaveto know what she said.”

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