Page 81 of Fate Unchained

Even though she didn’t want to indulge Morana, she had to know. She’d searched for a link between her and Pietr Nihova—Gregor Herskala’s bastard son and Herskala’s half brother—for years. Now, Morana was offering her the answers. “Why would you think I’m linked to Nihova?”

Morana’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Cousin, you’re not the only one good at research. I found the name Cherkassy scribbled in one of Gregor’s old journals. Nihova—let’s call him Pietr since he’s blood—had three sons everyone knows were killed by Herskala. But I had some of the king’s brownies search for any reference to the Nihova name in the records. From what I found, I believe Nihova actually had four sons. Only, when his fourth child was born, he hid it from everyone and arranged for an adoption to the Cherkassy family.”

“Impressive.” Not on Morana’s part, but on the brownies. She knew how long that research probably took.

Morana lifted her chin a fraction. “I asked Boris to test if you really were the one. Only someone related to the Herskala bloodline could have activated the rune in the grimoire. When you could do it, I knew I was right.” Morana waved her hand. “I also knew the grimoire had more secrets to tell. I’ve unlocked many, but Herskala was a wyrdstaave, so he filled his grimoire with rune tricks. Did you know not one single wyrdstaave has been born since Herskala died? Well, except for you.”

Lilah’s breath froze in her lungs. At least the grimoire was safely locked away in the library, and Lilah would die before she told Morana where it was. “You’ve kidnapped me to do rune work?”

Morana laughed. “Considering you kidnapped a vulk a few weeks ago, don’t pretend to be outraged by my little bit of magical manipulation to get you to join me for the afternoon.”

A small bell chimed from deeper within Herskala Hall. “Perfect timing. Let’s have our tea.”

Lilah remained where she stood, her stomach roiling. “What do you want?”

“Must we have this conversation while standing instead of enjoying each other’s company over a bit of tea and crumpets?”

Lilah stared at her.

“All right, then.” Morana sighed. “I invited you here to explain a few things to you. Wouldn’t you like to understand your power? Isn’t that what you’ve spent all those hours in that dingy library doing?” She raised a hand, and a replica of a glowing book appeared on her palm. “You’re special. Precious.”

Her gaze seemed to pierce through Lilah, and Lilah wrapped her arms around herself. “I … I’m learning what I can do.”

“I’m one of the best teachers Herskala Academy ever had. I can help you.” Morana tilted her head and smiled. “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” She waved her hand. “Here I am.”

Lilah shook her head. “I’m doing fine on my own.”

Morana’s voice softened. “You’ve been quietly uncovering all sorts of secrets in the books around you. Don’t you like how it feels to gain access to words no one else can see? Don’t you think your accomplishments deserve to be admired instead of hidden?”

In school, Lilah earned great grades but failed miserably at any kind of outdoor sport or contest, yet those were the things her classmates were praised for. No one was interested in celebrating someone who got a perfect score on their literature exams. When she uncoded a book, she felt like she was flying, like how she imagined it felt when someone won an archery contest or wrestling match. Yet even her father wanted her to hide what she could do.

It seemed that Morana understood. Lilah took a deep breath. “I like using my magic. I like how it feels.”

“Exactly. I always took students like you under my wing. Helped them soar.” Morana expression turned sweet. “Let me help you.”

“Help me do what? I’m already familiar with my wyrdstaave abilities.”

Shaking her head, Morana’s voice took on a honeyed, pleasant murmur. “Decoding books? That’s just the beginning. The grimoire showed you a bit of what you can really do.”

Lilah frowned. Using the rune in the grimoire to capture Kyril was the first time she’d done something other than open the true words in a book. Then she’d used a rune to kill the shade with Kyril. Both times she had felt useful. Powerful. It was the first time she’d felt like she had control of her own life instead of being tossed around in the wake of someone else’s mistakes. She wanted to learn more.

Morana waved her hand. When Lilah inhaled, the scent of licorice surrounded her, but there wasn’t any candy around. “I know what you really want, Lilah Cherkassy.” Morana appeared kindly now like a friend. “The vulk can’t give you what you need. You know that. You’ve always known it. No one can. Not your father. Not your aunt. You must rely on yourself in this world. Only I can show you what you need to unlock your power.”

A dreamy calm swept through her. Morana was the enemy, but what was the harm in finding out more about her ancestors? To find out more about who she really was.

“No more debts. No more alliances with immortals who don’t want you. I can offer you exactly what you’ve always wanted.” Each word seemed to brush against Lilah’s skin like a caress. Soothing. Comfortable. “Let’s have tea and talk.”

A conversation would be all right, especially if Morana really did understand her power and could tell her about it. It was only one conversation. Lilah nodded. “All right.”

32

Lilah followed Morana into a small sitting room where tea and biscuits lay spread on a table. The brownie stood nearby, watching them as they entered. The room was built in an alcove where half of the walls were curved with wide, arching windows. If the weather was better, it would provide a sunny place to sit, instead there was a chill.

The back of the wooden chair in which she sat rose higher than her head. She struggled to focus. Where was Boris, and what had they done with the leshak? “Boris works for you?”

Morana poured the tea. “This variety of tea is the king’s favorite. Of course, he isn’t happy when he arrives here, and I make him take tea. He’d rather go straight to bed, but that’s men for you, yes?” She glanced at Lilah. “The trick is, never care. The moment you care is the moment they gain control, because then they have the power. Always make them come to you. Use them. Have some fun with them.”

Lilah stared down at the biscuit on her plate. If anything, things with Kyril were the opposite of what Morana described. She knew where Kyril stood—he liked her, but would not take her for a mate. The one who cared … wouldn’t be him.

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