Page 125 of The Oracle of Dusk

Epicasta stood, pacing from one end of the room to the other.

“Well, how hard did you try to change them?”

“I did everything I could,” Aurora replied darkly. “No one believed me.”

“But things are different now.”

“How?”

“Because I refuse to let it happen.”

“Why?”

Epicasta stopped pacing.

“I thought you’d be pleased. He’s your paramour, is he not? Rumour has it that you two have been in foul moods since your vision at court.”

Aurora groaned. Of course there were rumours. It made sense now why Flora had sent every halfway handsome man to the temple in an attempt to woo her. She thought she saw an opening to lure Aurora in with seduction.

“Why should I trust you? Theron is a better match than you could ever hope to make, a guarantee of being a queen. How do I know this isn’t some plot concocted by your mother?”

If Flora wanted Aurora to stay, what better way than to accuse her of trying to sabotage a royal wedding? Once she had grounds for a complaint against her, all Flora had to do was demand compensation in the form of another vision. It was hardly a leap of imagination. After all, Flora had accused Aurora of summoning the monstrosities, all in an attempt to discredit Theron. How much worse would it be when she turned her full attention to Aurora instead?

“Do you know what I’m called, Aurora?”

Aurora shrugged. As if she wanted to know about the woman who would take Theron from her.

“The glass princess. The moment I came of age to wed, Her Majesty married me off to one political opponent after the other. Each time, I am ordered to bankrupt my groom. Each time, my groom is accused of harming me. And each time, Her Majesty decides that is reason enough to execute them. I have been the death of three men, and the moment Her Majesty saw your vision, she has been salivating at the chance to make it four. If Theron succeeds and does me no harm, I would not put it past Her Majesty to plot my demise to get what she truly wants—the Dragon’s Flank. This marriage will end but one way—death—mine, or his.”

Aurora eyes widened in horror.

“Then…Then why would you ever agree to marry? Why didn’t you run away?”

“Because she found my weakness. And if I don’t do as Her Majesty commands, the only person I’ve ever loved will die.”

Oh. Guilt washed over her. Epicasta wasn’t her enemy. Of course she didn’t want to marry all those men. Of course she didn’t want to be a villain for her mother. Why else would she put up with such abuse if not for love?

“I’m sorry.”

“So am I.” She shook her head sadly. “I received a letter with proof that he still lives, trapped in one of her many dungeons. Her Majesty swears that once the Dragon’s Flank is hers, that he will be freed.”

“And you believe her?”

Epicasta laughed bitterly.

“No. She always promises that this time will be the last. And I don’t want to believe he still lives. I pray he died the day he was captured. That way, only I had to suffer, and he will never know what I’ve done for love of him.”

And yet she’d done as she’d been told, because a part of her still believed he was alive, still hoped he could be saved. Aurora felt ill. Merciful Triad, she’d hated this woman whenever she thought of what the princess’ marriage would steal from her. She’d never known what burdens the princess had been forced to carry alone. Never considered that the marriage would only be the start of another nightmare for her.

Aurora reached across the space between them and placed her hand on Epicasta’s.

“I didn’t know.”

“No one does, aside from Her Majesty and Her Holiness.”

And now Aurora.

“I’m so sorry.”

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