Page 154 of Sanctuary with Kings

"Riddling faes," Hazel said with a sigh.

"Why reveal yourself now?" I asked.

"Nimue is my sister," Magdalena said, the easy lightness in her voice hardening to obsidian. "Or something like it. We are two opposites of an identical soul."

"Oh, Magdalena, I'm sorry," Esther said softly. Her heart was too sweet, I thought, faltering in its anger so easily.

I licked my lips and considered what Magdalena had said already and what I knew of the myth of Morgana Le Fay. She was as twined into the stories of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake as Nimue, and sometimes they were even the same person. Sometimes Morgana was the villain too, the womb from which Arthur's demise was born. But Auguste was right—both Nimue and Morgana should've been powerful enough to stand up to Birsha.

"Nimue islettingBirsha hold her captive," I said.

Magdalena clapped her hands together. "Aha, she has it!"

"What?! Butwhy?" Esther cried out.

I glanced up and Magdalena's perfect brow was arched, waiting for me. I heaved a sigh and rolled my eyes. "Because it's what would happen and did happen and will happen," I started.

"Oh, dear," Hazel muttered.

"And because…hopefully, we need her there?" I guessed.

"Wisdom with age," Magdalena murmured approvingly. "Very good, my dear."

Esther's lips pursed, and I didn't blame her for her ire, but the fae were a law unto themselves, and their definitions of right and wrong had more to do with plotting the stars and getting their way than any human concept of morality.

"I can't get into the mountain—the roots can't reach that far," Hazel announced, arms crossing over her chest. "And even if I could, I'd be alone in there, and I don't like my odds."

"What can Nimue do for us?" Auguste pressed Magdalena, grinding his jaw.

"A great deal, I'm sure," Magdalena trilled.

"Whatwillshe do?" I asked instead.

"I'vealwaysliked divinities, you know," the fae woman purred at me.

My eyes narrowed. "I wonder if dragon evereatfae."

Magdalena laughed and her head fell back on her neck too far, her throat disproportionately long. But she settled and softened before our eyes, clasping her hands in front of her. "Nimue will speak. She will be your mouthpiece. Foroneof you."

"Speak? That's all?" Hazel asked.

"We can't get into the cave, so we have to draw Birsha out," I said, shuddering and turning to pace the tent.

"Perhaps Hywel?" Auguste suggested.

"No." Magdalena's voice was stone once more. "No, Nimue will speak for a woman."

One of you.

Hazel watched my restless strides, her lips turning down. "I'd do it, but…I never even met him. I doubt I made that much of an impression."

I turned on my heel, aware of the stares on my face. I circled the tent, wishing I could growl like Conall, breathe fire like Hywel, spread my wings and fly away like Laszlo.

"Does he know I'm here?" I asked, glancing at Magdalena.

"No."

I paused and gaped at her. "Really?"

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