Page 115 of Tales of a Monstrous Heart
I turned back to that cavernous dark. Feeling the sadness of the place clinging to my skin. Reluctant to let me go. Unbothered by Thean’s presence as I touched my forehead and the space over my heart in the Kysillian tradition of respect. Just as my father had taught me, hoping that whatever poor souls had suffered here could feel it. Feel my regret that those Kysillian Kings weren’t here now to keep them safe as they promised.
That they failed. That I’d failed them too.
‘You are not as I expected you to be,’ Thean said softly from behind me, almost confused by the admission.
Because I was Kysillian.
‘I am not yours to expect things of.’ I met their gaze with my own sharpness. I had nothing more to say, so moved back towards the wood. The voyav might wish to punish themselves by dwelling here, but I didn’t.
‘If you look any more forlorn, those mortals will start to gossip,’ they taunted.
I sighed, continuing through the wood. ‘Unless you want to learn why they hunted the Kysillians so ruthlessly, you’ll mind your business.’ A tension coiled in me, rage needing a way out. It’d been too long since I’d sparred. Too long since I’d allowed my body that freedom.
‘Darling, I’m not the one you’re mad at,’ they goaded, unfortunately still following.
I should have been worried about their company but the stone around my neck remained silent. Whatever threat Thean Page was, they weren’t here for me.
‘You’re here to stalk Emrys, remember, not me,’ I snapped over my shoulder, only for them to slip into step with me, humming softly as their hands slid into their pockets. Those immortal amber eyes surveying the surrounding wood with boredom.
I wondered why, of all the things they had to do, they were bothering me. However, those thoughts only led to their worrying familiarity with Emrys, which almost stopped my retreat.
‘How do you know Emrys?’ I pressed, wondering if they’d even entertain that conversation.
They eyed me cautiously. ‘Careful. Secrets from my lips may cost you things you cannot give, little Kysillian.’
‘Try me.’ I turned, stopping them in their tracks. The last few days had tempered my will and I refused to be afraid.
Their head tilted slightly in contemplation, red hair cascading over their shoulder, showing streaks of gold in the sunlight and revealing the summoning runes down the side of their neck, curving down the low plunge of their shirt.
‘Three questions in exchange for a favour.’ They held out their slender hand, runes curled around their finger, one shaped like an eye sat in the centre of their palm.
I could have said no, but again, the stone around my neck was silent.
‘Deal.’ I took their hand, squeezing it harder than needed.
‘Emmaline,’ I began ruthlessly.
Thean’s amber eyes hardened instantly, their fingers slipping free from my grip and they continued to walk.
‘She was in service with me.’ There was a coldness to the words, as if they were sharing a simple fact.
‘To the rebellion?’ The confession almost made me stumble over my own feet.
‘Fulfilling the last of their mother’s oath. That’s how the rebellion keeps itself supplied with willing participants. They bind them with blood oaths.’
‘Lady Blackthorn was a member of the rebels?’ My mind was racing too viciously to make better use of my questions. Lord Blackthorn was a king’s mage. He’d been so close in his ranks and yet he was married to a member of the darkest part of the rebellion.
A willing traitor, an easy whore and a brutal killer.Emrys’s words came back to me, the bitterness lingering in them. Just how deep did Blackthorn allow his children to go into those games, and his own wife?
‘She was many things before she was Lady Blackthorn, darling. A sorceress beyond limit, a clever spy and a deadly assassin. She was sent to Blackthorn’s bed to kill him. I think you can gather how that went.’ Thean raised a dark brow with insinuation. ‘It seems like a family trait to desire forbidden things.’
I ignored their taunt.
‘Rebels don’t break their vows,’ I warned. They couldn’t. They were blood sworn.
‘She didn’t. Lord Blackthorn is dead and her love led him down that path.’ Thean’s words were careful, weightedperfectly like a warning as their slender shoulders lifted with a shrug.
A cold dread shot down my spine but I persevered. Foolish as always. ‘Why are you here?’
