CHAPTER 24.

CLEO.

PAELSIA.

Cleos entire world had been reduced to the four walls of her bedroom at the Paelsian inn. The rusty lock on the door was the only thing that protected her from her enemies.

The Damoras were her enemies"not her family, not her allies, not her friends.

And yet she continued to stay with them, feeling trapped, a helpless prisoner who had no say in her own fate.

She wasnt sure when she finally fell asleep, but when she woke from the tight clutch of nightmares, her tears dried on her cheeks, she realized something very important.

She was no helpless prisoner. She was a queen.

She had forgotten to be brave, to be strong, as her sister and father had urged her to be. What would they think of her now, having lost her way and hoping for answers by trusting those who didnt deserve her trust?

Enough of this, she whispered as she pushed herself out of the small bed.

She wasnt sure how, but she would fix this herself. Her goals remained the same: Vengeance. Power. Reclaiming her throne and ensuring the future well-being of the Auranian people.

Nothing else mattered.

Magnus had been right about one thing: If Nic had been aware that she was in love with Magnus, he would have hated her. Lucky, then, that she hadnt given the prince all of her heart. Shed been holding some of it back, protecting herself even with no idea that shed been doing it.

Im so sorry, Nic, she muttered as she quickly ran the silver brush through her long hair, trying very hard not to think of when Magnus had done so. You were right. You were always right.

Her stomach growled, and she realized she hadnt eaten since the previous afternoon. She needed strength to do what had to be done"to go to Auranos and find allies of her father. She had to find the rebels who would support her as they devised a plan to overthrow Amara.

If there was a way, Cleo would find it. No matter what she had to do.

Quietly, just after dawn, she descended the stairs. The inn was silent, only the Damoras now in residence in a place that, just days earlier, had been filled with a strange mix of enemies and allies.

She moved toward the kitchen. The innkeepers wife was already up, baking bread. The scent of it made her mouth water.

I need breakfast, she told the woman.

Yes, your grace, the woman nodded. Kindly take a seat, and Ill bring it to you as soon as its ready.

Thank you. Cleo moved into the dining room and was dismayed to find that she wasnt the only one awake at this hour. Selia Damora sat at the end of the table, reading a book in the warm glow of sunrise. She looked up as Cleo approached.

The princess has finally emerged from her chamber, she said. Im glad to see you this morning.

Cleo hesitated before she took a seat next to the woman. No reason to betray her plans to leave just yet. Its very early.

Ive always liked to get up before the sun.

Cleo had never shared that habit. There was a time when shed slept in every morning until her sister poked her shoulder to tell Cleo that shed already missed their first class, which made their tutor very cross. Cleo would reply by pulling her covers up over her head and grumbling for Emilia to leave her in peace.

Their tutors had always liked Emilia much more than her younger sister.

Cleo eyed the pitcher and glass goblets next to Selia. What are you drinking?

Freshly pressed grape juice. It seems Paelsians do more with their famed fruit than simply make it into wine. Care for a glass?

Perhaps in a moment.

Youre upset this morning. Selia nodded. I couldnt help but overhear part of your argument with my grandson last night. I must admit, you are justified in your anger toward him. He had no right to manipulate your friend and put him in harms way.

Cleos eyes began to sting. I still cant believe its true. That Nic is . . . gone.

I know youre grieving. But let this pain make you stronger, dear.

Cleos gaze shot to the woman. I dont seem strong enough to you already?

A woman can always strive to be stronger in the face of painful emotions. If youve come to any realizations about love and how it can weaken us, then I commend you. It takes many women until theyre much older than you are to learn those lessons.

You speak as if you know my heart, but you dont. You dont know me, and I dont know you.

Learn to take good advice when its freely given. Life will be much easier for you if you do. Selia didnt seem the least bit fazed by Cleos sharp tone. I sense greatness in you, my dear. I see it in your eyes. You are determined to change the world. I saw the same expression in your mothers eyes the one time I met her.

Cleo felt her eyes go wide. You met my mother?

Selia nodded. Elena was a commendable woman, strong and brave and smart. An uncommon combination, I hate to admit, especially among royals. Our kind do tend to be spoiled and coddled in our youth, no matter where we come from. It can lead to lazy adults who arent willing to do what it takes to get what we want.

I was spoiled and coddled, Cleo admitted.

Such weakness has been burned out of you by challenge and loss.

Yes. Burned out of me, Cleo repeated, nodding. Thats an accurate description of how its felt.

The fire that hollows us out is what allows us to be filled with strength and power where before there was none, Selia said. She poured two glasses of grape juice. Cleo took one from her. Perhaps we should toast to that fire. Without it, we would be no threat to those who might wish to stifle our potential.

Cleo nodded. I suppose I can drink to that.

She raised the cup to her lips. Just as she was about to take a sip, the glass flew out of her hand and shattered against the wall.

She looked up with surprise at King Gaius, who now stood next to her. His gaze wasnt on her, though, it was on his mother.

Cleo scrambled up to her feet, her chair skidding backward on the wooden floor. The king looked as healthy and strong as he ever had.

The bloodstone. He had it now, and it had worked its magic.

Shed been too busy feeling sorry for herself alone in her room to hear about this.

Goodness, Gaius. Selia also rose to her feet. Is that any way for you to treat your sons wife?

I notice you didnt take a drink yet, Mother. Go on, quench your thirst. Dont let me stop you from tasting your own dark magic.

Instead of doing what he curtly suggested, Selia placed her cup down on the table. Cleo watched her, a sickening realization dawning inside her.

The grape juice had been poisoned.

Cleo pressed up against the wall, her heart pounding hard and fast.

You look very well, Gaius, Selia said without a glance in Cleos direction.

Thanks to you, it seems Ive recovered.

As I promised you would. Her expression was tight. Now tell me whats wrong and why you look at me with hatred instead of love this morning.

He laughed hollowly. The look in his eyes was cold enough to make Cleos blood turn to ice in her veins.

What would have happened had the princess drunk that? He nodded at the pitcher. Would she have died quickly and painlessly or screaming with a hole burned through her throat as my father did from your deadliest of potions?

Im not sure, Selia said calmly. It works differently on everyone.

You really tried to poison me? Cleo managed, shock and outrage making her tremble.

Selias steady gaze met hers. Youve proven yourself a problem in many ways. I see no reason why you should be allowed to disrupt this family more than you already have.

That is not your decision to make, Gaius growled. Its mine.

From what I gather, youve tried numerous times to rid yourself of this thorn in your side. How difficult could it be to end the life of a troublesome child like this?

How did you know? Cleo choked out to Gaius. The thought that shed been starting to trust Selia, that she had just believed in her words of strength and bravery, made her sick. Shed been so close to drinking poison, not thinking for a single moment that her life was in danger. If the king hadnt knocked the cup from her hand . . .

I just knew, the king said. He still hadnt looked directly at Cleo; his gaze remained fixed on his mother. Just as I know what you did seventeen years ago, Mother.

Finally, a slight frown creased Selias forehead. I dont know what you mean.

We can play this game, if you like. Id rather we didnt. Id rather not waste more time listening to your lies, the lies youve filled my head with all my life.

Ive never lied to you, Gaius. I love you.

Love. He threw the word back at her as if it were a flaming arrow hed managed to block. Is that what you call it? No, Mother. While Ive been contemplating my own death, my mind free from any protective potions, Ive done a great deal of thinking about how your idea of love has only been a ruse to gather power for yourself. I did everything you asked of me and received ashes in return. You were the one to tell me that love is an illusion. Or is it only certain kinds of love that you find unsuitable?

She stared at him, incredulous. Romantic love is an illusion. The love of family is eternal! I waited thirteen years in exile for you to realize that everything Ive done has been for you. For you, Gaius, not for me. And finally you appeared when you needed me the most. And what did I do without question? I saved your life!

I know you did. And I also I know you went to see Elena just before her death, he said, his voice quieter now. You were troubled by thoughts that Id return to her, despite her never replying to any of my letters. But you intercepted those letters, didnt you? She never received a single one of them.

Cleo couldnt move, could barely breathe. She knew what she witnessed was not meant for her ears. Still, she couldnt turn away.

Selia looked down her nose at Gaius as if he were a ten-year-old boy trying to argue logic with a scholar. I have always tried to protect you from making poor decisions that would threaten your power. And yes, I knew you planned to go to her, as much of a fool at twenty-five as you were at seventeen.

He nodded slowly. Was it grape juice you offered her too? I remember she liked cider the best. Spiced apple cider, served warm.

Selia didnt reply to this.

You didnt have to poison her. I didnt plan to go to her, not then. My heart had already become far too black and cold to think shed ever take me back, especially with her perfect life and perfect family. But it wasnt any vengeful witchs curse that killed her that day. It was you.

Cleo found shed begun to tremble violently, everything she heard hitting her like physical blows. You poisoned my mother, she whispered. You murdered her.

The poison should have ended both her life and the life of the child she carried. Selia shook her head. But she was too far along in her pregnancy. Her death did seem natural to many, given how difficult her pregnancy with Emilia had been. I know Corvin believed it to be a curse, his fault for slaking his lust with a witch. And yes, it was apple cider. How strange . . . I hadnt remembered that until now. However, I assure you that she didnt suffer. She simply . . . slipped away. Peaceful.

Lies, Gaius said through clenched teeth. Ive heard accounts of how greatly she suffered until death finally claimed her.

Rumors only.

The cold hatred in his dark eyes chilled the room. I want you to leave. And I never want to see you again.

Selia shook her head. You must be able to see that I did what I thought was best. For you, Gaius. Because I love you, and I always have. You are my perfect boy, born to greatness. Together we will rule the world, just as I always told you we would.

Leave, he said again, or I will kill you.

My darling, no. I cant leave you. Not now. Not like"

Leave! he bellowed and slammed his fist down upon the breakfast table so hard that Cleo was certain it would shatter.

Selia raised her chin. You will forgive me when you see theres no other way for this to end.

The king shook from head to toe as his mother left the room.

Cleo was dumbfounded, utterly unable to think clearly after such an argument.

My mother was poisoned . . . she began. Because your mother thought you wanted to renew your relationship with her.

Yes.

And that would . . . destroy her control over you.

Yes. It was not much more than a hiss this time.

Selia told me that you beat my mother almost to death, that she hated you.

His eyes widened. My mother is a liar. Elena was my world, my weakness, my suffering, my one and only love. I didnt lay a hand on her in anger and I never would have. Gaius cast a dark look at her. I want you to leave here as well.

What?

My mother was right about one thing: You are a danger to my son, just as Elena was a danger to me. I wont have it. I will protect him from harm whether he wants my protection or not.

But I . . . I thought . . .