Page 96 of Lady of Ashes

“Took on and defeated,” she answered.

“Clearly not defeated, Scarlett. You were taken captive.”

“I was not captured by Night Children, Sorin.”

“Alaric was there?” he asked, and she could feel his eyes burning into her.

She lifted her chin to meet golden irises as she said, “No. Tarek is the one who captured me. I had used all my magic. I was weak, and I couldn’t ?ght back.”

“Scarlett,” he said slowly, “who is Tarek?”

“Talwyn’s twin ?ame. He was there waiting for her. They were expecting Talwyn to show up at the border,” she answered.

“Tarek Ordos is dead. He died with Thia on that mission. It could not possibly bethatTarek,” Sorin said.

Scarlett shook her head. “It is him, Sorin. He said he is the rightful heir to the Earth Court. He believes he should rule that Court. He told me the story of how his family lost their Royal seat to the Luans.”

“I saw his corpse in that cave beside Thia,” Sorin insisted. “It could not possibly be him.”

“I don’t know what to say, Sorin. It all ?ts. I could scent earth magic on him. He appears to know Talwyn very well. He knew who you were. Who Azrael was. He even knows Talwyn and Azrael are lovers now. His blood is how they kept me from weakening too much—”

“Who is your mother?” Sorin interrupted. Her eyes went wide.

“I do not know.”

“Scarlett.” Sorin said her name in a clear warning, as though he suspected she was lying.

He probably did.

“I swear I do not know who she is,” Scarlett answered. “But I know what she looks like, and I know she is Avonleyan. I know my father was Avonleyan. Whether they still live, I do not know. The last time I saw her, that I can remember, was when I was ?ve, and she made Cassius my Guardian.”

“What is that? What does it mean that Cassius is your Guardian?” Sorin asked, turning to face her fully.

“I don’t completely understand it,” Scarlett admitted. “It was a blood ritual. Our blood was mixed, and we both drank. We were both Marked, and—”

“Where?” Sorin demanded.

“On our backs. Alaric said he has seen the Mark at various times over the years. He didn’t know how she did it, but said a Witch cast some sort of spell to make us forget it.”

Sorin was already reaching for her, his hands on her shoulders, spinning her gently and lifting her nightgown. “I have seen every inch of your skin, Scarlett. There is no Mark,” he said, the cool air pebbling her exposed ?esh.

“But you also cannot see the one on my arm,” she replied. “Or the one on my collarbone.”

He dropped the fabric of her nightgown, spinning her back and reaching for her left arm, running his thumb along her forearm. “You tried to tell me,” he murmured. His gaze moving to her clavicle before landing on her eyes.

“Your eyes are silver.”

“So I hear.” When he just held her stare, she sighed. “The man I see in my dreams sometimes. He is the one who gave me the other two Marks … And told me my eyes are silver now.”

“You saw him again? How often do you see him, Scarlett?” Sorin asked, his grip on her arm tightening.

“My connection to him was blocked by my Mark, just like my bonds to you and Cassius and Shirina were. I hadn’t seen him since Talwyn and I saw him together. Not until after … You know,” she said, trailing off, her eyes darting back to the hearth.

“Until after you drank from me,” Sorin ?nished for her. She nodded.

“You are Avonleyan,” he breathed, his hand coming up to cup her cheek.

“I am,” she agreed.

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