Page 60 of A Cage of Crystal

Cora stepped back from the table, as a complex layer of truth peeled back before her. In what world could she imagine Dimetreus—her hurt, traumatized brother who still agonized over his dead wife—getting remarried? If he didn’t, Cora’s place as heir would be permanent. She’d be expected to ascend to queen one day. A queen forced to carry all the same burdens and pressures Linette had caved under. That Teryn’s mother nearly lost her crown over.

Cora had never wanted to reclaim her role as princess permanently. She’d only wanted to help her brother get his throne back and ensure Khero was taken care of. Agreeing to a loveless marriage alliance had been a necessary evil, and she’d still considered it something she could escape once her duties had been served.

Then came Teryn’s confession. It had opened her heart, made her think that being stuck in her role wouldn’t be so bad. Not with him by her side.

Half her heart told her she was in no danger of losing that now. This was Teryn, after all. He wouldn’t reject her for being unable to bear children, even if he wanted them. But the other half of her heart shrank back, reminding her that all royal men—even those with lesser titles like dukes and lords—were forever fixated on heirs. On sons. On their legacies.

What if she couldn’t provide that?

Regardless, if the worst came to pass and Cora ascended to the throne, the curse had potential to upend her life in the future. Wars sprung easily where bloodlines were broken. Where queens failed to produce sons.

Even if Teryn decided he didn’t care about having children, could she truly subject him to the chaos that might one day ensue in her kingdom?

Mother Goddess, it was too much to think about.

Her lungs tightened. The room felt too small, the walls closing in around her, smothering her. She felt…trapped.

Trapped in a curse.

Trapped as her brother’s heir.

Trapped in a game of royal politics.

Trapped under fragile, breakable hopes.

“Your Highness.”

The voice sent her whirling away from the table and toward the door. Her guard stood on the other side of the rosemary bundles, his face cast in shadow from the stairwell. She glanced out the nearest window and saw the sun sinking over the horizon. How long had she been lost in her thoughts? Something small and wet landed on her collarbone. Belatedly she realized it was a tear, and more were pouring down her cheeks.

She cleared her voice and addressed the guard. “What is it?”

“His Highness Prince Teryn is here to see you.”

Cora’s heart leaped into her throat. He was early! No, she was late. They were supposed to meet for dinner, one she most certainly couldn’t attend. Not in this state. Not with her mind so consumed with blood magic and curses.

“Tell him…” Her voice dissolved into a quaver. She found herself unable to continue.

“Cora.” This time it was Teryn’s voice coming from the other side of the threshold. She hadn’t realized he was at the top of the stairwell too. Damn her guards. She’d have to tell the sentry at the bottom of the stairs to block all visitors from ascending from now on. Just because she was inside the room didn’t mean it was safe. “Is everything all right?”

Before she could say a word, he brushed aside the hanging herbs. Their eyes met, and his grew wide. He surged forward, ready to cross the line of salt—

“Stop!” she shouted, charging toward the door. “Get out, Teryn!” Her voice came out harsher than she’d intended. A look of hurt crossed his face, but he halted in place—that was what mattered. It was too dangerous for him to step inside this room. He’d already done it once and she’d be damned if he made a habit out of it. Besides, she didn’t want him to see her like this. It was too late, of course. Now that she was closer to the doorway, he could fully see her through the rosemary. His gaze slid to her cheeks, and his expression of hurt shifted into one of concern.

“Cora, what’s wrong?”

She opened her mouth to try and shape her current state into words, but no sound would come. Instead, she breathed in the truth on an inhale, burying it in her heart, and donned a casual demeanor on an exhale. “It’s nothing,” she finally managed to say.

His voice deepened into a growl. “It’s clearly not nothing. Who hurt you?Whathurt you?”

“I’m fine.” A lie. The deepest of lies. She had been hurt by someone and something, but how could she express that? The thought alone made her throat tighten all over again, summoning painful memories to the surface. She’d spent most of her life keeping secrets, and for good reason. Telling the truth had rarely served her well. Evidence flashed before her mind’s eye.

Queen Linette condemning Cora’s clairsentience, calling her a witch and begging Dimetreus to have her exorcized by a Godspriest.

Dimetreus ignoring Cora’s strange powers and telling her that her insights were untrue.

The Forest People boasting of their distrust of royals.

Cora’s meeting with the Forest People elders where some denounced her for her lies. Her secrets. Her identity.

---