What? That Id begun to redeem myself in some small way by stopping you from drinking that poison? That wasnt about you, princess. That was about me and my mother. Magnus would be better off if you were dead and no longer a problem for either of us.

The ache in her heart shed shockingly begun to feel for this man and his horrific past quickly turned to stone. I think Magnus should have a say in this decision.

He is young and stupid when it comes to such things, just as I was. I dont forgive my mother for what she did, but I do understand why she did it. I will do you the favor of not ending your life here today, but only if you leave this very moment. Go back to your precious Auranos. Better yet, leave Mytica entirely. Elenas family hailed from western Vaneas. Perhaps you could build a new life there.

I want to speak to Magnus, Cleo insisted. I need to"

You need to leave before what little patience I have left disappears. And know, princess, I do this not for you but in the memory of your mother, who should have lived instead of her worthless child, whos brought nothing but misery to my world. Now go, and dont return.

Cleo finally turned away from him, blinking back tears.

The first person she came across was Enzo, standing just outside the room.

You heard? she asked.

Not all of it, he admitted.

She hesitated. I know youre Limerian, and despite any promises youve made, youre loyal to the king, not to me. But I must ask you anyway . . . will you come with me? Im not fool enough to think I can go out there in this world, as it is right now, unprotected.

It didnt take long before Enzo nodded firmly. Yes, of course I will. Well find a ship that will take us to Auranos or wherever else you want to go.

She nodded, grateful to have his allegiance, if nothing else. Thank you, Enzo. But Im not taking a ship anywhere.

Where do you want to go?

It seemed shed been left with very few options. It was time for her to be strong again. I want to seek an audience with the empress.

CHAPTER 25.

MAGNUS.

PAELSIA.

Hed drained two bottles of wine the innkeeper kept on hand. Oddly enough, the wine hadnt been a Paelsian vintage. It was bitter and dry and left a foul aftertaste in Magnuss mouth, but it was just as effective as Paelsian wine in dulling his mind and helping him fall asleep.

But not in keeping him asleep. The sound of his door creaking open woke him. Hed been certain hed locked it. His body felt heavy and far too weary to move, and his mind was too foggy to care who entered his room.

Its me, Cleo whispered.

Magnuss eyes shot wide open at the sound of her voice, his back to the door.

What do you want? he asked tentatively, without turning around to look at her.

I needed to see you.

Cant it wait until morning?

Youre drunk.

Youre observant.

You want me to leave?

No.

The bed creaked as she slipped into it beside him.

Magnus froze at the sensation of her hand sliding over his side to his chest. Cleo . . .

I dont want to fight with you, she murmured into his ear. I dont want to leave you. I love you, Magnus. So much.

His heart twisted. You said love wasnt enough to fix this.

I was angry. Everyone says horrible things when theyre angry.

But Nic . . .

I must have hope that hes alive. He has to be. He knows Id be furious with him if he let himself be killed. Now look at me, Magnus.

He finally turned around and was greeted by the sight of her at his side, her beautiful face lit by the sliver of moonlight streaming through the window, her hair like spun gold, her eyes dark and bottomless.

I need you to do something very important for me, she said.

What?

Kiss me.

He almost laughed. If I kiss you right now, I assure you, I wont be able to stop.

I dont want you to stop. I dont want you to ever stop. Whatever happens, Magnus, were in this together. I chose you. And I need you. Unless"she raised a brow"youre too drunk and youd rather I leave.

His gaze darkened. Hardly. But the curse . . .

The curse is a fantasy, nothing more. Put it out of your mind.

Not sure I can.

It seems that I must be the one to make the first move tonight . . . She brushed her lips along the length of his scar, from his cheek to his lips. Like this.

Cleo . . . he managed as he pulled her into his arms, but suddenly it wasnt Cleo that Magnus held. He found that he clutched only air and blankets.

He realized with dismay that shed never been there at all. It had only been a dream.

But it didnt have to be.

He needed to talk to her, to get her to see reason. She would, he knew she would. And together they would find out the truth about Nic.

Magnus sat up, determined that today would be better than yesterday, but his head felt as if it was ready to explode. He groaned and gripped his temples, doubling over from the pain.

The wine. Paelsian wine had no ill aftereffects on those who drank it. All other inebriants, though . . .

Did others willingly choose to endure pain like this to forget about their problems for a night?

Magnus was furious with himself for giving in to something that had weakened him to this degree, but he had to overcome it. He had to focus on his goals.

He would go after Ashur himself. The Kindred needed to be reclaimed"for himself, for Cleo, for Mytica. And the way he currently felt, anyone who got in his way would die a very painful death.

The inn seemed strangely empty this morning. The princesss bedroom was vacant, the door open. Magnuss grandmother was nowhere to be seen, neither in the courtyard nor in the meeting room.

The king, however, was waiting for him at the dining room table, a full breakfast in front of him. The innkeepers wife"Magnus hadnt bothered to learn her name"eyed him nervously as he entered and took a seat.

Eat something, the king told him.

Magnus eyed the spread of dried fruit, goat cheese, and freshly baked bread with disgust. The scent of it made him want to vomit.

The thought of any food at all made him nauseous.

Ill pass, Magnus replied. You look . . . well.

I feel well. The king wore Xanthuss golden ring on his left index finger. He raised his hand and inspected it. Hard to believe theres so much magic in this small piece, enough to restore me to my former self so quickly.

How long will it last?

Ah, thats the question, isnt it?

Selia didnt tell you?

I didnt ask.

Where is she?

Gone.

Magnus frowned, and a fresh wave of pain coursed through his head. Gone where?

The king tore a piece of bread off a loaf, dipped it into a bowl of melted butter, and chewed it thoughtfully. Food even tastes better to me now. Its like a veil of apathy has been lifted from each of my senses.

How delightful for you. I ask again, where is my grandmother?

I sent her away.

Magnus blinked. You sent her away.

That is what I said.

Why?

The king put down his fork and held Magnuss gaze. Because she doesnt deserve to breathe the same air as we do.

Magnus shook his head, trying to make sense of this. She saved your life.

The king scoffed. Yes, I suppose she did.

You speak, but you make no sense. Did the bloodstone steal your sanity while it restored your health?

Ive never felt more sane than I do at this very moment. He glanced at the door where Milo now stood. Milo, my good man, come and eat some breakfast. Magnus wont be having any, so why let perfectly good food go to waste?

Thank you, your highness, Milo said. Is it true what Ive heard? That Nicolo Cassian is dead?

The king raised his brows.

Its possible, Magnus allowed.

Milo smirked. That is mildly disappointing. Pardon me for saying so, but I always hoped to kill him myself.

Magnus found himself nodding in agreement. He did have that effect on people.

Wheres Enzo? the king asked. Theres plenty of food here for him as well.

Enzo has left, your majesty, Milo replied a bit reluctantly.

The king put down the bread and looked at the guard. Where has he gone?

With the princess.

The tentative way he said it made Magnuss stomach churn. Please be so kind as to tell me that the princess has gone shopping in the city and will return later.

Apologies, but I dont know where theyve gone, only that they left at dawn.

Magnuss heart began to race, and he shot an accusatory glare at his father. What have you done now?

The king shrugged, his expression unreadable. I wont mince words with you this morning, my son. Your grandmother is gone. And so is the princess. Neither will return here.

Magnus stood up so quickly that his chair fell over backward. I need to find her.

Sit down, the king hissed.

You threatened her, didnt you? Both her and Selia. You chased them away.

Yes, I suppose I did. All while you slept away your drunken stupor until midday. You need to start thinking as clearly as I do, Magnus. Now that Ive been restored, its time for us to take action.