Page 64 of Twin Crowns

“I can’t swim,” she said sheepishly. Better for the witch to know now.

“Well, lucky we are going fishing and not swimming. Come. You’ll be safe with me.”

Safetyandwitchesdidn’t exactly go together in Rose’s mind, especially after what had happened last night, but when she glanced back at the shore, she saw others emerging from their huts. She had a feeling she would be safer out on the water with Thea than by herself on the beach, so she gathered her courage and hopped into the boat.

While the witches of Ortha rose to face a new day with sore heads, Thea took both oars and rowed Rose away from the shoreline.

They rowed out to sea, and when Thea began to grunt from the effort, Rose flushed and reached for one of the oars. “I can help.”

Thea laughed, tilting her head back and showing two neat rows of graying teeth. “Rose, to teach you how to row would take more effortthan rowing myself. But thank you for the offer. Your helpfulness is appreciated.” Her amusement settled into a quiet smile. “Your mother was like that.”

Rose sat up straighter. “Did you know her well?”

Thea set the oars to rest. The boat bobbed up and down, the morning waves splashing against the sides and sprinkling them with seawater. “This is as good a place as any to catch some fish, I suppose.” She cast the net over the side and then turned back to Rose.

“Everyone in Ortha knew Lillith. And I knew her more than most. I went with her to Anadawn when she married your father. I promised Banba I would look after her....” Her smile faltered. “I was your mother’s midwife. I was the one who first held you and welcomed you into the world.”

Rose gripped the sides of the boat, a distant panic rising inside her. All her life, she had been told that the witch who delivered her had killed her parents. And now, here she was, sitting across from that same woman. She recoiled from Thea, the little boat sloshing dangerously as she scrabbled backward.

“You needn’t be frightened of me, Rose. I was not the one who killed your mother.” Thea’s one eye was unblinking, her face unusually grave. “I believe you now know who it was.”

Rose pressed a trembling hand to her chest. She knew in her bones it couldn’t be Thea—this soft-eyed woman who carried the healing gift within her.

Which meant it was Willem. It had always been Willem.

She tilted her head back until black spots swam in her vision. She felt as if the sunlight was burning away the lies she’d always been told.Always believed. “Did you see my mother die?”

Thea’s silence was answer enough. “Your mother knew it was coming,” she said softly. “But she didn’t know how it would happen.”

Rose snapped her chin down, blinking the healer back into focus. “How did she know?”

“A seer from the Amarach Towers sent word to Lillith that she had seen her fate in a vision. That she would not survive to see her babies grow up and that her death would cause a devastating war.” Thea looked past Rose, to where the sun painted the cliffs gold. “Your father was a good man, but he was no witch, Rose. He believed he could stop the seer’s prophecy. Keir doubled the guards at the golden gates. He had soldiers stationed at every passageway and alcove inside the palace. And outside the birthing chamber, too.”

Her face tightened. “Not one of them thought to question the movements of Willem Rathborne. He was the Kingsbreath, after all—one of the most important men in Eana and your father’s closest adviser. In many ways, his closest friend. After Rathborne poisoned Keir, he came straight to the birthing chamber. He said he was checking on Lillith on behalf of the king.” The old woman’s voice broke, and she looked away. Her tears slipped soundlessly into the sea. “I should have known then that something was wrong. Keir would never have sent a messenger. But your mother trusted Willem Rathborne right up until he took out the knife.”

Rose flinched. “I don’t want to hear any more.”

Thea reached for her hand, and a trickle of warmth came with it. “You should know, Rose of Eana, that your mother had made her peace with death. Her last wish was for you and Wren to be safe. She named you before you were born.”

Rose’s eyes burned. “Willem said she whispered my name with her dying breath.”

“The only honorable thing that rotten vermin ever did was give you the name your mother wanted.”

A tear slid down Rose’s cheek. “Why did you leave me with him? Why didn’t you take me, too?”

“It had to be that way, Rose. Everyone in Eana knew Lillith was pregnant. Nobody but your parents, the seer, and I knew that there would be two babies. A secret blessing.” Thea’s smile was watery. “And you were the one he saw. Your mother told him your name.”

“And then he killed her.”

“I was bathing Wren in the next chamber when he drew the knife. I knew then that I had one chance to escape, to save the child in my arms and the one in his.” Thea’s face crumpled. “I wish I could have taken you. I’ve wished that every day for almost eighteen years. But you were so loved, Rose. Even from afar.”

Rose drew a shuddering breath. She felt as if she couldn’t get enough air, as if all the lies were filling up the space in her lungs. All her life, she thought she was blessed. But she’d been wrong.

“Your mother named you such because she wanted you to grow where you were planted,” said Thea. “And one day, she wanted her children to bring the witches back home to Anadawn. It must be a shock to know you will not be Queen, but you see, it has to be Wren. A witch who knows what is best for her people, a witch ready to welcome us home. Only then will there be peace—truepeace—in Eana.”

“It doesn’t sound as if Banba wants peace,” said Rose bitterly. “She wants revenge.”

Thea laughed. “Peace will come after.”

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