Page 71 of Brighter Than Gold

“The Princess…”

“How much does she know?” Yates asked.

“Burke didn’t tell her anything. He kept it vague, but Yates…”

How the fuck was this happening? I held too many people’s secrets now, I couldn’t juggle all this.

“Callan, is there something you need to tell me?”

I hesitated. Was she already aware of Reyah’s heritage? Had one of the Sisterhood found her out? “No, —but the Princess needs to know.”

“She doesn’t.”

“She needs to know, Yates.” I glared up at her making myself abundantly clear. “I’m not going to lie to her any longer, so the truth can come from your lips, or mine.”

“Bullshit, Callan. You’re under my brother’s orders. You would never betray him.”

Her words caused actual, physical pain through my chest. I took in a shaky breath. “Then you tell her.”

Yates stared back at me as I rose to my feet. She clenched her mouth so tightly together that her healing lip re-opened and began to bleed, sending a scarlet drop down her chin. She crudely wiped the blood along the back of her sleeve, then she turned and yelled.

“Idona!” In a second the woman had opened the door and was leading a wide-eyed Reyah inside. She stepped slowly over to me and dipped into a low curtsey in front of Yates.

“Reyah,” Yates started. She paused, looking back at me, seeming lost.

“Just show her Yates.”

“Fine.”

Reyah looked over at me confused. “Come,” I said gently. “Kneel just here. This is Eldrin, she’s going to show you something.”

Eldrin took over, explaining the process. I watched, and my heart cinched as I saw Reyah suddenly tense, her face crumpled with the agony she felt. But soon she relaxed. I watched her closely, I could see her eyes moving behind her closed lids, seeing what I had seen. I watched her expressions change with whatever image she was seeing now, surprise, shock.

After a minute it was over, Eldrin broke the bond and I caught Reyah as she nearly fell to the floor.

“You’re all right, I’ve got you,” I told her as she righted herself. The distressed look had not waned, her lower lip trembled as she searched my face and quiet tears rolled. She shuddered, and I knew this time it had nothing to do with the cold.

“What is it, Reyah? What did you see?” I whispered.

She took a sharp breath before she answered me.

“My brother.”

Chapter16

Reyah

I’m not sure what exactly happened in the flurry of the next half hour. I sobbed as Yates shouted back and forth with Callan. At some point Idona ushered me back to my room and sat me on the bed. She quietly reassured me as the shouting continued through the walls. I’m not sure if the two were arguing, or if they were just overwhelmed by my admission.

I’d recognized that immense hall immediately, The Underpass, as it was called. On several special occasions, my family had been invited into the Underpass for a ball or a feast. My mother always made sure we were dressed in our very best to attend these galas.

The small room that jutted out from the circular hall was reserved for the members of the Regency, the twenty-five members who ruled the North together. My mother had been a Regent before—no. I couldn’t let myself trudge up that memory. But today I had seen my brother, taking up her seat.

Kieran, my younger brother had grown since I’d last seen him. He was taller and broader than the young man I had known when I left the North. My stomach twisted seeing him. It had been three years since I’d fled, and I had hoped I would never see him again. He frightened me to my core.

Callan tore me from my memories as he barreled into the room.

“Sorry,” he huffed, noting my state. “I need to speak with her. Alone,” he said to Idona who quickly took her leave.

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