Page 110 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

Sheathing my dagger, I wrapped my arms around her, inhaling the scent of rosewater she loved to bathe in. I let my body relax in her embrace.

“I’ve missed you,” she said, running her hands through my hair.

“I’ve missed you too,” I said through the growing lump in my throat. Tears welled behind my eyes, hot and heavy, but like the fruit, I would not give these women the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I had shed enough tears for a lifetime, and I would not shed anymore for people who didn’t deserve to see them… even myself.

“Touching,” Decuma said, tossing her curls over her shoulder. “But I’m sure you came here to ask something, not just for a reunion.”

“You are the Fate of the present. Shouldn’t you know?” I snapped at her.

“Not how it works, deary,” she smirked.

I wiped my tears from my eyes and straightened my cuirass again.

“We need to know about the Trinity Wells. Where they are, what they do. What would happen if someone found one or all of them.”

All three women exchanged knowing glances.

“The Trinity Wells are a myth,” Clotho blurted out.

I squinted at her.

“I don’t have to be a Fate to know you’re lying.”

“Like we would tell you if we did know anything about them,” Decuma hissed. “If they exist. They are meant to be hidden so only the Trinity can find them.”

“That’s right, you worked with Erissa to imprison my mother. You’re probably working with them right now. Probably toldErissa where to look. What is she giving you in exchange? Did she offer you a chance to regain your power?”

Decuma’s amber eyes widened, and she leaned forward on her throne.

“Erissa came to us saying she’d found Morta. We need all three of us together for our powers to work correctly. If one is gone, the others cannot see.”

“So you say. But I’m sure your power doesn’t just fizzle and die.”

“That is the way the Trinity made us, unfortunately.” Decuma crossed her legs. “If we didn’t need Morta, we wouldn’t have gone looking for her.”

I wasn’t sure if I believed her. These women wanted power. They had been worshiped once, and they wanted to be worshiped again for the gods they were. Power corrupts. I needed to find a way they couldn’t refuse me.

“Fine then. Tell me what you see for my future.”

“No!” my mother yelled. “Don’t do this, Aelia.” She grabbed my arm.

“Why? I’ve already walked through hell. It cannot be worse than living in a prison of your making.”

“Morta is the one who sees the future. Are you sure you want to make your mother do this?”

My mother squirmed uneasily in her chair. “Don’t make me do this, Aelia. You will not like what I see. The Trinity will make it so.”

I set my jaw, collecting myself before answering. “You held your visions from me once before. I think I am owed at least an ounce of truth this time.”

My mother’s mouth fell open, but no sound escaped her lips.

Decuma and Clotho looked at me like wolves waiting to devour a lamb.

“Fine. Show me the present as well. I don’t need to relive my past.”

“You’re no fun,” Clotho said, crossing her arms like a petulant child.

A wide smile cut Decuma’s beautiful face in two. “Let’s spin, sisters.”

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