Page 114 of The Gilded Cage

Kiva marveled at Zuleeka’s overconfidence, but only said, “He knows you’re not going anywhere. But he also doesn’t see you as a real threat in the grand scheme of things. And with good reason, given what I learned today.”

Both of her siblings turned alert, and Kiva scrambled to think of how to downplay her statement, before realizing she didn’t have to. The information Jaren had shared couldn’t hurt him or his family. Not when one piece of their guaranteed demise was hundreds of miles away and protected not only by magic, but also an entire army.

“What did you learn, Kiva?” Torell asked, morphing from her loving brother into the commanding general of the rebels.

Warring with herself, Kiva debated what to say. On one hand, she was still dismayed that her family would have no swift means to lawfully take the kingdom. But on the other hand ...

That young man is destined for greatness. He’s going to be the best king we’ve ever seen.

Healer Tura’s voice came to Kiva again, the words ringing true. Having witnessed Jaren amongst his people today and seeing how much he cared for them not just in speech, but in actions, Kiva had known.

The kingdom was better off in his hands.

She felt like a traitor to her own family, but try as she might, she couldn’t imagine Evalon with Zuleeka as its queen, not even with Tor as its king. And she certainly didn’t want to rule it herself, having no idea how to juggle politics and diplomacy. She’d been bored to tears justlisteningto the Royal Council discuss mundane kingdom matters — the idea of having to take part in such conversations made something inside her shrivel up and die.

Jaren, however, had spent a lifetime being groomed for the role, loving every second of it.

He truly was the people’s prince.

And so, while Kiva knew she should be more upset, there was no denying the relief she felt knowing that, at least for now, the Vallentis family was safe, their throne secure.

“Kiva?” Tor called when she remained silent for too long. “Did you discover something?”

Licking her lips, she said, “Yes. I did. And you’re not going to like it.”

An unpleasant feeling twisted inside her as she told her siblings about her visit to the library and her viewing of the Book of the Law, sharing everything she’d learned about the Royal Ternary clause — Jaren’s greatest secret, something only he, his mother, and the council knew. And now his blood-sworn enemies, too. Kiva hated betraying his trust, but she consoled herself with the knowledge that no harm would come to him; it was an unactionable secret, one he would never even know she’d shared.

When she finally finished speaking, the only sounds in the alley were a light dripping noise and the distant hiss of a tomcat.

And then Tor cursed loudly, slamming his fist into the wall of the nearest building.“Gods dammit!”he cried, punching it again.

Alarmed, Kiva grabbed his arm, wincing at the blood covering his knuckles. She reached for her magic, longing to take away his pain. But then —

Nothing.

Delora’s potion — Kiva had forgotten.

She couldn’t access her magic while under its effects, not even by choice.

“Calm down, brother,” Zuleeka said, placing her hand on his shoulder. “There was never any guarantee Kiva would learn something to help us — this doesn’t change our plans.”

“Exactly!” Tor yelled, throwing out his arms. “It doesn’t change anything!We have to keep doing what we’ve been doing!”

Zuleeka’s eyes narrowed. “And what’s so wrong with that?”

I’m tired of seeing good people suffer for a cause I’m not even sure I believe in.

Torell’s words returned to Kiva, words she instinctively knew Zuleeka wouldn’t understand. Jumping in to save him, she quickly said, “It’s my fault — you asked me to find a lawful way to take the throne, and I didn’t. I’m sorry.”

“You did what you could, little sister,” Zuleeka said. She was much calmer than Kiva had anticipated, but then again, she had a lot of making up to do from the previous day — the previousten years.

“You’re sure, though?” Zuleeka continued. “That it’s impossible to steal the Ternary? The Eye sounds like the trickiest part — is it really so well protected?”

“Jaren said it goes wherever the current general goes,” Kiva said. “So it’s with Ashlyn and the armies — and shielded by her magic, too.”

Zuleeka sighed. “Well, it’s a blow, but we won’t give up. We knew claiming the throne would take time, we just need to be patient.”

Kiva snuck a quick look at Torell, finding him staring furiously out into the darkness.

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