“I don’t know what the chancellor’s immediate plans are, but I was surprised when his apprentice showed up with Ophelia at the war camp. Titus always kept her close because he didn’t want others to know.”
“To know what?” I implored.
Cyren said, “To know her. You canfeelthe power radiating off her.”
“Feel it?”
“Starsearchers can. It’s like my Fate tie—the alignment to one of the Fates that allows me to read the stars—calls to her. Like it wants to meld with hers.”
“What would cause that?” Mila asked.
“A very strong sort of magic,” Cyren whispered. “And if Titus has her in his grasp, I don’t see a world in which he lets her go. Not now that others will know of her power.”
“And Titus has none,” I breathed.
Cyren’s eyes widened. “What?”
Fuck. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to say that. Too late now. “Titus revealed to Cypherion that his Fate tie doesn’t grant him any readings.”
Cyren’s jaw ground, eyes boring into us with urgency. “You need to get that girl away from him before Titus can use her anymore.”
Mila stiffened at the warning in the general’s voice, toying with her wrist cuffs. I braced a hand at her back.
“We will,” I swore.
“Soon.” Cyren looked between us. “A Starsearcher without a connection to the Fates is bound to become volatile.”
Because power was a weapon that spawned one of the most dangerous things of all: greed.
“Can you read anything of them?” Mila asked, voice wavering.
“I’ve been looking for Vale and for the Angel emblem, but that’s all been difficult to find.” Cyren shook their head. “It’s impossible to read an Angel or higher power, but her…I should be able to see her.”
“Will you look for Titus, too?”
They nodded. “First thing tonight when I return. And I’ll continue until you find her.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Write to us if you find anything.”
“I will.”
The inn Ezaliahad arranged for us to stay in wasn’t far from the market on horseback, but the ride back was long enough that Mila and I were isolated in a way I was beginning to crave when she was involved.
“How do you feel about Cypherion?” Mila asked as Ombratta and Luna strolled beside each other.
Cypherion. My brother by choice turned cousin by blood. The topic I’d avoided talking about since we found out.
“You waited until I had no way to escape to ask, didn’t you?” I accused. When Mila shrugged innocently, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Doesn’t really matter how I feel, does it?”
“Humor me,” she said with a soft smile.
I sighed. “I wish I’d known, but at the same time, I’m glad I didn’t. I wouldn’t have felt right being the one to tell him, but I also wouldn’t have been able to keep it from him.” Not that the way he found out had been any better. I may not be the one prophesied to end any fae royal bloodline, but I was tempted to after the queen told him so carelessly. “I wishhehad known, though. That he wasn’t finding out now, amid this mess with Vale.”
“It’s poor timing,” Mila agreed.
“I don’t think he’ll really process this news until he gets her back,” I said. He only had one focus right now, and a part of me was sure he was using it as a distraction. It would be easier to process with Vale at his side.
“He seems to have accepted his role as Second, though.”
