Ire twisted through me—radiated from Barrett, too—but I inhaled and tried to steady myself before the queen. To not be caught off guard again.
When Brystin showed up, Mora said that Ritalia would only adjust her plans for extreme circumstances, that the queen had learned to be patient over the centuries.
Perhaps her circumstances hadn’t changed, but her opportunities had.
“You invited her to Gallantia, didn’t you?” I accused Nassik. “Which one of you contacted the other?”
“Nassik wrote to me.” That betrayal sank like a rock through our group. “He offered me passage through your land, and thanks to rumors fromyourancestor, Revered—thanks to the letters he wrote to the fae asking for aid with the very curse you bare—I knew of this spot within the mountains.”
Annellius had…asked the fae to help? Clearly, those rulers hadn’t answered as Ritalia did. They hadn’t appeased whatever plea he sent, so he re-hid the emblems instead, to become a problem for a future Alabath.
The inferno in my gut roared.
“And you claim you want to help us now?” I asked.
Ritalia nodded, but before she could answer, Celissia’s voice sliced through the cavern. “How could you, Father?” Her sharp stare narrowed. “These are our people!” She pointed at Barrett. “Heis our king!”
“He may be your friend, but that does not mean he is fit to rule.”
“He’s more fit than his mother ever was! And the kings before her.” Nassik blanched—whether at his daughter’s tone or her knowledge, it wasn’t clear. “Yes, father, I know the histories. I was not sipping tea all day in the citadel for the past decade.”
Nassik’s eyes narrowed. “How much did you learn?”
“I learned of all the great Engrossian battles and who led them—how the dynasties crumbled. I studied the most innovative healing practices and found I had quite an affinity for them.”
“Did you now?” Nassik asked, voice tight.
“I did.” Celissia stood taller, strength radiating from her as she stepped in front of Barrett. “And because it is so unusual for our clan to take to healing as well as I did, my tutor helped me delve into the family line. We thought perhaps there was Bodymelder blood somewhere generations ago.”
Nassik scoffed. “Must be a distant relative.”
“Don’t play dumb, Father.” Her eyes flashed to Ritalia, then back. “You’ve already proven that you are; you don’t need to act it on this account as well.”
“Celissia!” he blubbered.
But Barrett tore his eyes from his wolf and stood beside his queen-to-be. Celissia nodded at him, and Barrett declared to the room. “Celissia’s healing practice is not aided by Bodymelder blood. It is sorcia.”
“Sorcia?” I gasped. Even Ritalia’s eyes widened in surprise. Sorcia bloodlines hardly ever escaped their northern isles.
“That’s why you were so advanced,” Santorina echoed. “Your healing was so fluid, like another force at work, and you were able to help Vale come out of her reading in the seeing chamber when no one else could.” The Starsearcher looked between Rina and Celissia, gratitude in her wide eyes. “It’s not just any old, ancient bloodline in your family.”
Celissia nodded, then turned a sharp stare back to her father. “We havesorciablood. And sorceress magic can be very instrumental in healing practices. And he knew all this time.”
Barrett knew, as well, the two clear in their united front, as if this was something they’d discussed and planned for. A secret they meant to wield.
“Now you see, dear,” Nassik said. “Now you see why, when I learned that the fae were on the outskirts of our continent, poised to challenge such a dark and devastating threat as the Mystique Revered poses, I had to answer the call.”
Celissia looked down her nose at the man. “No, I do notsee.”
“What she is trying to do here”—he flung a finger at me—“it will harm everyone on Ambrisk, the gods included. It is no longer only a warrior battle, but one that challenges even our sorcia line.”
“The sorcia are secluded,” I argued. “They claim no part in any war we have fought.”
Nassik glared at me. “This would devastate them regardless.”
Celissia asked, “So you chose a line we barely know over the blood of those you have helped rule for nearly a century? Over those you work beside, live beside?” She shook her head, black waves shimmering down her back. “No, Father, I will not be like you. I will not stand for this.”
Celissia whipped her head toward me. “Don’t listen to them, Ophelia! No matter what poison they spew, finish what we came here for.”
