She asked another question, since it seemed like he might answer it. “In the oracle’s prophecy, it says the original offense must be committed again to break the curses. You believe the original offense was wielding the heart of Lightlark, don’t you? Using its power?”
Oro glanced at her. Nodded.
So that was why he needed the heart of Lightlark. To fulfill part of the prophecy.
“You said that when Sunling and Nightshade created Lightlark, they trapped a fraction of their power in the heart.” Her eyes widened, realization dawning. “That’s why you invited Grim here for the first time,” she said, the words toppling from her mouth. “You don’t think he or any Nightshade spun the curses. You think someone used the Nightshade power trapped in the heart to cast them.”
Oro nodded again. Something in his eyes, a gleam, looked almost impressed.
She lifted her chin. “That means you didn’t know about the heart until after the last Centennial. Or else you would have invited him to the previous ones ...”
Oro’s silence confirmed it. But his expression had turned wary. “You should go,” he finally said, not meeting her eyes. He was stuck there until dusk ... but she could leave at any time.
Her dry lips pressed together. Part of her wanted to run out andup to the surface. Take a bath and wash the hair that was stuck to the blood on her face. The mud that covered her clothes. The film of dirt across her skin.
Another part wanted more information. The king had never been this forthcoming before. And she had one more question she needed answered.
“I’ll wait with you,” she told him.
Oro blinked, surprised. Then frowned, annoyed. She ground her teeth together—wretch.The king tensed as he trailed a finger across his neck, making a line through the dried blood.
She shot a look at the light at the mouth of the cave, a carpet of gold across the floor. “Seems like we’ll be here awhile longer,” she said. “Let’s play a game.”
“A game,” he said flatly.
Isla nodded, undeterred. “Questions, back and forth. I’ll answer one. And then you will. Honestly.”
She expected he might say her proposed game was foolish or might even decide to brave the fiery sunlight rather than spend another moment stuck with her. But he leaned the back of his head against the wall and looked at her, chin lifted. “Fine, Wildling. You start.”
She sat up. Her important question barreled through her mind, but she couldn’t ask it. Not yet. She had to start small. “Be honest—do you ever tire of wearing gold?”
Oro gave her a look that said,That’s what you want to ask me?He sighed. “Yes, Wildling. Though I can wear blue, white, or silver if I choose.”
Right. He was an Origin—he could wear colors from all the realms he had powers from. She wondered if he did wear other shades, outside the Centennial.
“Your turn.”
He studied her for a few moments. “What is your life like, back in the Wildling newland?”
It wasn’t the question she might have expected, but it was an easy one, so she was grateful. “It’s ...” She opened her mouth. She had an answer queued up, ready to go, about how wonderful and exciting it was.
But she had promised to be honest.
Isla wanted him to trust her, so they could find the heart and break her and Celeste’s curses.
Which might mean trusting him in turn.
“It’s awful.” She studied the ground, running her fingers along its rough patches. “I love my guardians—they’re my only family.” She took a long breath. “But—” She squinted, not knowing how to say it. She met his gaze and found him watching her intently. “Have you ever felt like a bird in a cage?”
She expected him to sneer at her.
But he nodded, just a slight dip of his raised chin. “Every day for the last five hundred years.”
Of course.Her limited existence locked away in her Wildling castle was nothing compared to the centuries Oro had endured.
“Who trapped you?” he asked, though it wasn’t his turn.
Isla winced, then cursed herself for even suggesting this game. Why would someone with so many secrets do such a thing? He had no idea how close his question was to the truth ... to unraveling all the lies she had built up like a fortress around her and her realm.
