He shrugged. Perhaps it was only a dream. Many things from my past seem like dreams to me now . . . He trailed off, his expression turning stern. I dont want you involved in this. How can I convince you to go to Auranos?

You cant, and this is the last well speak of it. Im in this with you, Magnus. No matter what happens.

Why?

Cleo looked up at him, her heart full. You know why, she said softly.

His expression grew pained. Such cryptic language has always confused me. Perhaps you still dont trust me enough to speak plainly.

I thought that wed successfully put concerns like that aside.

Perhaps in part. But are you trying to convince me that you didnt think I wasnt going to obey my fathers command and end your life at the side of that cliff? Because theres no way you can. I saw the look in your eyes"the fear, the disappointment. You believed Id kill you just to get into his good graces again.

The guards werent close enough to overhear, but it still felt like a discussion meant for a much more private moment.

Still, hed asked for her to speak plainly. I admit, you were very convincing.

I was trying to be convincing, given that both of our lives were in jeopardy. But didnt you hear me? I called you Cleiona"Id hoped you would take that as a sign not to doubt me. He shook his head. Then again, why wouldnt you? Ive given you little reason to trust me.

He started to turn away from her, but then she took his hands in hers. Wrong. Youve given me countless reasons to trust you.

Magnus stared at the ground, his forehead furrowed in a deep frown, before his gaze flicked up to meet hers. Youre determined to come with me to see my grandmother.

Cleo nodded. She could be the answer to everything.

His jaw tightened. I can only hope youre right.

So this witch would find Lucia, and then they would go to her, and beg for her help to rid Mytica of Amara. She had to admit, she didnt like the idea of relying on the assistance of the young sorceress. Do you honestly think that your sister will help us? she asked. The last time we saw her . . . She shuddered at the memory of Lucia and Kyan arriving unannounced at the Limerian palace. Kyan had nearly burned Magnus to death with his fire magic.

Lucia had stopped him, but then turned her back on her brother when hed asked her to stay.

I hope she will help, Magnus replied tightly. This darkness that has emerged along with Lucias magic . . . its not really her. The sister I know is kind and sweet. She does well in her studies"far better than I ever did"and devours every book she sees. And I know she cares about Mytica and its people. When she learns about all that Amara has been up to, she will use her elementia to put a stop to it.

Well, Cleo said, trying very hard to ignore the trickle of poison that had leaked into her chest at the sound of such brotherly praise, she sounds absolutely perfect, doesnt she?

Of course she isnt perfect. None of us are. The edge of his mouth quirked up. But Lucia Damora is extremely close.

How unfortunate, then, that shes currently under Kyans influence.

Yes. The edge of amusement that had been in his gaze faded away and was replaced by steel. He possesses the fire Kindred. You have earth. Amara has water. My father has had air for quite some time.

All of a sudden, Cleos mind emptied of all other concerns. How long has he had it? Or should I ask, why didnt I know about this before today?

Magnus blinked. Im sure I mentioned it before.

No, you certainly didnt.

Hmm. I know someone was present when I received this news. Nic, perhaps.

She couldnt believe her own ears. Nic knows that the king has the air Kindred, and neither you nor he told me?

Jonas also knows.

She gasped. This is unacceptable!

Apologies, princess, but its only been less than a day since we agreed to share more than loathing and distrust.

Memories of the cottage in the woods returned to her vividly: a night of fear and survival leading to a very unexpected encounter.

Cleo bit her bottom lip, her previous outrage all but forgotten. My heads still spinning from everything thats happened.

Mine too.

She glanced at the guards to see that one of them paced back and forth, as if in an agitated state.

Lets make our way to the meeting place, she said firmly. She opened the front of her cloak to look at the crimson gown beneath. I hope I can find new clothes in the village. This is the only thing I have to my name, and its torn.

Magnuss gaze traveled slowly down the length of her. Yes. I remember tearing it.

Cleos cheeks heated. It should be burned.

No, this gown will never be destroyed. It will be displayed in great prominence for all eternity. His lips curved into a smile. But I agree, you are in need of better traveling garb. The color is rather . . . eye-catching.

She felt his warmth as he slid his hand down her arm, his gaze fixed upon the gown Nerissa had found in the palace for her to wear for her speech.

The closer Magnus got to her, the more her heart sped up. Perhaps we can discuss this later, at the inn, in our . . . room? she said softly.

Then, without warning, Magnus let go of her. She felt a sudden waft of cold air as he took a step away from her. Actually, Im going to make sure that youre given separate quarters.

She frowned. Separate?

You and I will not be sharing a room for the foreseeable future.

She stared at him blankly for a long moment, his words making no sense. I dont understand. Why not? After last night, I thought . . .

You thought wrong. His face had gone very pale. I wont put your life at risk.

Still, he spoke in riddles she couldnt easily solve. Why would my life be at risk if we were to share a room? She watched as his expression turned tortured and he raked a hand through his hair. Magnus, talk to me. What is it?

You dont know?

Clearly I dont. So tell me!

Reluctantly, he did as she asked. A witchs curse is the reason your mother died in childbirth. And that curse is why you, too, will die if you become pregnant.

All she could do is stare at him in absolute shock. Your father told you this.

He nodded once, his jaw tight.

And you believed such a ridiculous tale, just like that?

Dont make it sound so foolish. Im not a fool"I know theres a possibility he could be lying to me. But I still refuse to take such a chance.

What chance? She frowned, feeling stupid that she didnt follow.

He took her by her shoulders tightly, gazing intensely into her eyes. The chance of losing you.

Her confusion washed away, replaced by a swelling warmth in her heart. Oh.

My grandmother is a witch. If there is truly a curse on you, she will break it.

It seemed impossible that shed never heard of something so serious before, but her father had always been secretive, especially when it came to magic. Hed never told Cleo that hed had a witch put a protective spell upon the entrance of the Auranian palace, one only Lucia was powerful enough to break.

Perhaps this was similar.

Her thoughts went to her mother, and her heart broke to think of the woman she never knew, destined to die giving her life.

If this is true, she said after a moment, still refusing to fully believe such a far-fetched possibility, Ive heard of other methods to prevent a pregnancy.

I wont risk your life until this curse is broken. And I dont give a damn if my father is lying to me. I wont take the chance that hes right. Do you hear me? Magnuss voice had grown darker and quieter, sending a shiver down her spine.

She nodded. I hear you.

Could it be true? She hated to think it might even be a possibility. Why wouldnt her father have mentioned such a horrible thing?

Now she needed answers every bit as much as Magnus did. All the more reason to see his witch grandmother.

Cleo noticed that the agitated guard whod been pacing had suddenly drawn closer to them.

Your highness . . . the guard said.

Cleo tore her gaze from Magnuss to look at the guard, shocked to see that he had withdrawn his sword and was now pointing it at them.

Magnus pushed Cleo roughly behind him. What is this? he hissed.

The guard shook his head, his expression strained and a bit frantic. I find that I cannot abide by the kings orders. The empress and her army are in control of Mytica now. Limerians have no say over their futures anymore. To continue to align myself with those who wish to deceive and oppose the empress would be committing treason. Therefore, I must turn you over to the empress.

Cleo stared at him with shock. You disgusting coward!

He cast a withering look at her. I am a Limerian. You are an enemy, no matter whom youve married. You, he said, the word twisting with distaste, are the reason everything weve cherished in Limeros for generations has been destroyed.

My, you give me much more power than I actually have. She straightened her shoulders and narrowed her gaze. Lower your weapon immediately and perhaps I wont demand your execution.

I dont take orders from any Auranian.

Do you take orders from me? Magnus asked, his tone edged in acid.

I would, the guard replied. If you still had any power here.

Hands fisted, Magnus stepped forward, but the guard responded by raising the blade to the princes throat. A gasp of fear caught in Cleos throat.

Do you even know my name, your highness? the guard sneered. The empress does. She knows everyones name.

Amara Cortas clearly has an amazing ability to retain useless facts. Magnus glowered at him. So, what? You mean to march us up to her? Expect her to accept this generous gift with open arms and an appointment for you to captain of the guard? Dont be a fool.

Im no fool. Not anymore. Now come with me. Resist, and you will die.

The guard then grunted as the tip of a sword appeared through his chest. He lost his balance and dropped to the ground in a heap.

Standing behind him was the other guard, wiping his comrades blood from his sword with a handkerchief. He glared down at the fallen guard with disgust.

Pathetic weakling. I had to listen to his blabberings, his plans. I disagreed with each and every one. Please excuse his disloyalty, your highness.

While so relieved her legs nearly gave out from beneath her, Cleo exchanged a concerned glance with Magnus.

What is your name? Magnus asked the dark-haired guard.

Milo Iagaris, your highness.

You have my deepest gratitude for intervening. I take it we can depend on your loyalty?

Milo nodded. To the very end.

Cleo let out the breath she hadnt even realized shed been holding. Thank you, Milo, she said, casting a hateful look down at the dead guard lying by her feet. Now, lets leave this traitor far behind us.

Cleo used her green cloak to shield the shocking red of her dress and the brightness of her hair during the journey to the village.

After hours of travel via several modes of transport, including walking, wagon, and horseback, she, Magnus, and Milo arrived at their destination, exhausted. As luck would have it, the innkeepers wife was a seamstress from whom Cleo was able to acquire some simple new garments. Then, true to his word, Magnus escorted Cleo to her separate, private room.

Too exhausted to discuss the matter of the curse any further than they already had, Cleo shut and locked the door, collapsed onto the hard bed, and fell asleep immediately.

The morning sunlight woke her rudely, and as soon as her eyes were open she shielded them to block out the glare. Moments later, the seamstress knocked and brought in a basin of warm water to wash up with. Cleo was grateful for the chance to finally clean off the dirt that had accumulated on her skin during her travels. After she washed, she slipped into her new plain cotton dress and spent the next several minutes working hard to pick the tangles out of her hair with a silver comb left next to the basin.

As she finished up, she eyed her reflection, halfway expecting to see someone completely different. It felt as if so much had changed in a matter of mere days. But there in the mirror was simply the same Cleo she always saw. Golden hair, blue-green eyes that had lost only a bit of the weariness that started creeping into them only a year ago, and freshly seventeen years old.

She turned from the mirror with a sigh and reached for the chair over which shed slung the cloak shed stolen from a Kraeshian guard during her escape from Amaras borrowed villa. She inspected it in the bright light, looking for tears, but was pleased to find it intact.

As of today, her only possessions were a borrowed gown, a stolen cloak, and an obsidian orb.

And, of course, her memories.

Before she had a chance to consider everything that shed lost over the last year, she was interrupted by a very loud grumble in the pit of her stomach.

When was the last time shed eaten? She honestly couldnt remember.

Cleo left her room and peered down the hallway, briefly wondering which room belonged to Magnus. She drew the hood of her cloak close to her face, just in case someone was about at this early hour who might recognize her, then descended the creaky wooden staircase down to the inn to search for breakfast.