Page 20 of Foretold

“Palace?” she winces. “Try the whole of Aravelle.”

My eyes widen. “The whole city was in darkness?”

“On and off, yes,” she admits, shifting on her feet. “He was very upset when you left. He thought you had been taken.”

“I wasn’t. I left of my own accord,” I say, sitting down and pouring some wine. I suddenly need some. “Have you eaten yet?”

He let the whole city be suffocated by shadows?

She nods, bowing slightly. “Yes, I have. I better go back to help in the kitchens. Call out if you need anything.”

Sitting there alone, I slowly eat, contemplating my next move. I’m halfway through the bottle when Vale walks in and stares at me. He is a miniature version of Rave with his familiar blue eyes and dark hair. Vera was clearly just the incubator, but maybe he got her personality, especially if he went along with whatever ruse his mother had planned.

“Are you meant to be here?” I ask him when he continues to say nothing.

He shakes his head. “No, Princess. I am not. But I wanted to come and see you.”

“Why?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.

Feeling bolder, he walks closer to me and sits in the opposite chair. “You’re the woman my dad loves,” he says like it’s that simple. “And I know you tried to help me when I fell off the horse.”

“So that was true then?” I ask, remembering being able to sense his injuries but not heal him.

He nods. “Yes, it hurt. But I knew you couldn’t help me. My mother told me not to tell you I’m a void. I wanted to say sorry.”

Shit.

Rave’s son is here with an apology better than his.

Sighing, I take another sip of my wine. “You’re a child. It’s not your fault, but thank you for your apology. I accept it.”

“My dad said it’s not my fault too. But I could have been honest and told you the truth. You looked so scared when you thought I was dead.”

“I was scared,” I admit, reliving the moment. “How old are you?”

“Ten,” Vale replies, grinning. “You’re pretty. I see why Dad loves you.”

“How do you know that he loves me?” I ask, eyes narrowing.

He shrugs, glancing around my bedroom slash prison cell. “He told me. You’re the one he’s meant to be with.”

“He didn’t tell me about you,” I say quietly, wondering how much he knew.

“I know. That’s why I had to stay away from the castle,” he replies. “Are you upset…” His little lips curve down into a frown. “That I exist?” His words are hesitant and softly spoken.

My eyes widen as my stomach twists. “I’m upset he didn’t tellme from the start. It’s kind of a big deal, don’t you think?”

Then, something hits me.

“Your void magic, would that work on witch magic too?”

Vale flashes me another toothy grin. “Yes, why?”

“Why don’t we go for a walk and do something fun? We could go outside?” I ask, wondering if this will work.

Could I step out these doors if I’m next to him?

He would void the magic, right?

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