Page 155 of Lady for Embers

“Of course it was necessary. You are the princess of this kingdom,” he replied. “I do not know if you and Sorin have discussed your plans for when this is all over, but as Tybalt said to Cassius, you will always have a place here.”

“We have not discussed the future much,” Scarlett admitted. “There are so many pressing things in the present that have demanded our attention. Surviving this war. Sorin’s gifts. What to do about everything we have learned.”

She sank into one of the grey armchairs, Cethin lowering back to his. “How do you feel about everything you have learned?”

Scarlett propped her head on her hand. “I have answers, but so many more questions,” she admitted. “Thank you for not throwing it all at me at once. For letting me ask and process at my own pace.”

“I will tell you now I will not be able to answer all of your­questions,” Cethin said. “Saylah may be our mother, but she is still a goddess. She can be as uncaring and cold as the rest of them, even if she does love us in her own way.”

“That is not even remotely comforting.”

“I was not trying to comfort you. I was being upfront and honest. Qualities I know you value,” he replied, his posture mirroring hers.

“I do,” she agreed. “I have had enough secrets about myself kept from me.”

“From my understanding, that was to protect you, despite my efforts to convince her otherwise when I learned of you.”

“You can visit her?” Scarlett asked, sitting up straighter.

“Not whenever I wish. Twice a year. When she can ?ll my reserves,” Cethin said. “The last time I saw her was right before you became bonded with Shirina. It took much of my magic to stay with you that long and see that through. Although she did exhaust herself by lending me more to go bargain with Sera?na and Arius on her behalf. Without her, he would not be here, Scarlett. Remember that when you do ?nally get the answers you seek from her.”

“And when will that be?”

“When her reserves have re?lled enough.”

“Vague as usual.”

Cethin winced slightly. “Not intentionally. I swear, Scarlett.”

She hummed in response, her eyes falling to the thread she was twirling between her thumb and fore?nger. “Why haven’t I seen Shirina since coming here? I haven’t seen any of the spirit animals since Altaria.”

“They rest and prepare for war like the rest of us,” Cethin answered.

“They will ?ght with us?”

“As much as they can, yes. But they are separated from their true bonds and thus are weakened.”

“The gods and goddesses?”

“Yes, they became trapped here when the Wards went up. The Sorceress’s doing,” Cethin explained.

“Other than Saylah, you mean?”

A sad smile formed on Cethin’s lips. “Saylah severed her bond with Shirina to make sure you could be bonded to her, to help protect you.”

Scarlett felt the shock of that statement ripple through her. “Why would she do that?”

“Whatever else you may learn while here, remember that she does care, Star?re. In her own way, our mother still seeks to protect us, no matter the cost.”

It was an hour before dinner when Scarlett and Cassius were walking down the hall back at the estate, each weighed down with their own thoughts after more family time than either of them had ever experienced in their lives. They each went to their own doors, but they both paused when they heard laughter coming from Cyrus’s room. Sorin’s laugh to be exact.

“What the... ?” she murmured, abandoning her door and moving to Cyrus’s, Cassius right behind her.

She didn’t bother knocking, pushing the door open to ?nd Sorin and Cyrus seated at the small table along the wall. Silver and gold marks were scattered across the table, playing cards forgotten in a pile on the ?oor.

“Hey, Love,” Sorin said, a huge grin on his face. “You look pretty.” Her brow furrowed. “What is wrong with you?”

Cyrus laughed, raising a glass to her in a cheers motion. “He likes you. What is he supposed to say?”

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