Page 69 of Claiming Glass

Because of him.

Because ofme.

How could they blame me when I killed my sister? How could he think I tricked him when he was the one who deceived me?

I did not argue. I deserved the hate, if not for the reason they thought.

Each choice leading me here played through my mind as I tried to find the one decision I should not have made, the one that changed my path. Was it the failed theft? Or trying to trick the crown prince instead of fighting to get away with the crown? When I placed it on my head and dared to dream? Was it years earlier, when I flirted with a boy, Lumi out of sight, and she came back sick and wounded? Was it when we failed to get a healer for Mother? Was it when Popova cursed us as children?

“I will talk then,” Dimitri said, bringing me out of my endless loop of hurt. “You led me to believe you were merely an empath, then use your powers to control us all. How many times have you twisted my emotions, heart turner?” It sounded like a curse in his mouth.

Only on the bridge, I wanted to say, but that would have been another lie. In the tunnels, I forced everyone to run, knowinglystealing their autonomy. Already, before I understood what I was doing—when I sank in his sea of grief alone on the bench weeks ago—I had changed something.

I had used my powers to ease his mind when he lay dying on the streets of Lowtown. To find him innumerable times. To feel closer in the dark. To order him to stop on the bridge. That I desired only to help was irrelevant.

Not waiting for my answer, he continued with barely restrained rage.

“We found two letters—one filled with platitudes on you and one on your sister addressed to my father. How do you think she got that? Counselor Bersig’s grandson was sent to Tal when the king didn’t respond to their world-altering discovery. If we had known about the plague sooner…”

The betrayal in his eyes was real. I had done this.

“I tried to give them to you,” I said, knowing I had not. “I tried to help.”

“Perhaps you did. Perhaps that was also part of the ploy.”

“I…” Under the coldness of death, sorrow twisted and anger bubbled. I had killed for him. Shared everything I was with him.

“I have no idea how you managed to access the king’s chambers, though for a mind witch and a necromancer normal rules don’t apply, do they?” He continued remorselessly. “The night I found you in my chambers, you didn’t come for me, did you?” Hurt flitted across his face and shoulders slumped. “Even the crown prince is just a piece for you to play with. Did you laugh at my gullibility as you used your powers to twist my feelings?”

The words cut into my stupid heart. Somehow, it still had the capacity to bleed. This was the prince others had feared.

When it was clear I would not answer, he pulled out the familiar paper and cleared his throat to read the words we both now knew.

“Ivan, I have been investigating the death of your grandfather, my dear friend, and found something larger. By studying the deaths of five noble and three lowborn mages I’ve found evidence of interference. I hesitate to even write this but would be remiss in not sharing my initial findings… the plague shows signs of being man-made.

“There is a powder produced across the sea inflicting similar symptoms when inhaled or consumed. With your blessing, I will procure the powder and an alchemist familiar with it. My humble recommendation is that taste testers should be employed immediately and, while I would not dare to presume to tell you what to do, it might be time for gloves to make a fashionable return.

“Everything in my research shows that someone over decades, perhaps centuries, targeted the families of mages Talian, indicating a coordinated attack. I will continue my research and send my grandson to Tal as soon as I have answers.

“As always, your faithful servant, Lord Bersig.”

I knew the picture on the back, a flower identical to those under the city.

Dimitri’s voice had taken on a neutral tone as he recited the letter from memory, his words piercing the emptiness inside as if I heard them for the first time. Lord Bersig had not named anyone behind the plague that killed my mother and so many others. I owed it to everyone to tell. Should have handed over the letter a long time ago.

“Von—,” I managed before the magic choked me.

I coughed and gasped.

The cell might stop magic from leaving, but I was still not free.

Dimitri leaned against the bars, watching the tears stream down my face.

“You had this all along, recognized the flower in the tunnels. Poisons might have a cure. You could have saved so many. Tell me how to heal them.”

But I had no more words for him.

How had I ever imagined I could win in this game of royals and politics?

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