Page 15 of Court of Bone and Amethyst

“It was. It still is.” I shake my head. “But everything only got worse from there.”

Beside me, Zyren straightens in his chair, his deep voice cutting in. “We performed the spell to seal the nightmares back behind their border. But Avonia has taken Selaye and the throne, and, as you can clearly see from what hunts us, she’s determined to end the Otreyas line, once and for all. And has somehow managed to break the spell we wrought.”

“And King Jonavus?” Owyn asks.

“Dead,” I say softly.

I do not—cannot—look over at Zyren, though the air between us is so taut I could use it as a drum. I noticed, of course, that he left out one crucial detail of how we performed the spell—that it was not Jonavus I married, but him. Of course, sharing that detail would involve revealing Zyren’s true identity as royal blood of the Lyonian House. And it would force him to acknowledge our marriage, something he’s made clear he won’t do.

Owyn doesn’t press for details. He just shakes his head back and forth.

“We’ve been on the run ever since,” Zyren finishes.

“When did that creature start following you?” Merla asks. She has her arms wrapped around her tiny frame, as if that will protect her from the beast outside.

“About two hours ago. We wouldn’t have made it much longer than that.”

Owyn stares into the fire again, clearly turning over what we’ve said. After a long spell of silence, with only the crackle of flames to break it, he says, “There is dark magic afoot here. Whatever it is that Avonia has done to summon this beast, it is not magic that has been seen in Valaron for millennia. She should not have been able to release any nightmare, let alonethatone.”

“I know you said you were no longer part of the Guild,” Zyren says. “But do you think any of them would know how she did it?”

Owyn opens his mouth to answer, but I interject. “What is the Guild?”

“The Guild of Sorcery,” Zyren responds. “For those who wield magic.”

“It’s possible.” Owyn shrugs. “But that kind of magic can only be found in the most ancient of texts. Texts that are long since out of print, texts that are forbidden. The Guild keeps that kind of magic in fortresses guarded by a dozen dragons, and hidden beneath layer upon layer of magical barriers.”

Zyren scowls. “It would help to know what we’re up against. And what she might unleash next.”

A small smile tugs Owyn’s lips. “The Guild is not the only entity who possesses such arcane spell books.”

I arch my brows. “You know of others? Who else possesses such dangerous magic?”

Owyn turns, his bright blue eyes locking on mine in the light of both moon and flame.

“Your mother.”

Chapter Ten

Sarielle

Owyn’s words surpriseme so deeply that for several moments, I can’t utter a response. Finally, three words escape my constricted throat.

“My mother? Why?”

“The women of House Otreyas have always held a deep fascination with ancient magic,” he responds. “Your mother was a very powerful magic wielder. Had she not been, it’s likely you would not be alive today.”

I blink several times, and Zyren leans in toward me, whether consciously or unconsciously, I don’t know. Worried about my reaction yet again. “So, you’ve read these books, too?” I ask.

Owyn shakes his head. “I have not. Your mother’s personal library is sealed off by magic.” I open my mouth, but he raises a hand to forestall me. “Sealed off to everyone but her own descendants.”

I feel a strange flutter in my chest. “It’s here, in this castle? And I can open it?”

“Indeed,” Owyn says. “If you seek the source of the dark magic that hunts you, you need look no further.”

Zyren locks gazes with Owyn. “If Sarielle opens the library, the books remain within it,” he says, tone steely. “Nothing is to be taken beyond its walls. I will make sure of that.”

My cheeks flame at his insinuation, but Owyn only smiles. “I have no desire to possess magic that dark, guardian. As I am sure you can appreciate.”

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