Queen of Secrets

7

My eyebrows jumped up. “Are you certain? About the date and that it will be a girl?”

She nodded with a serene look on her face. “I saw it in the runes.”

I didn’t understand Fellina’s magic, so I couldn’t question her. Like all wizards, her family was originally from Korelan, though they’d become ambassadors and had settled in Talador when she was a child. Balsam was supposed to marry a princess from Rodor, but when he met Fellina at a ball he decided she was the one—and when he made his mind up about something, there was no swaying him. He spent months wooing Fellina, who resisted him at first because she had no interest in being Queen, but eventually she fell in love with him too. A quiet and unassuming woman, she balanced Balsam out and could calm even his fiercest moods, or make him show mercy when no one else could. She’d also become one of my closest friends.

“I’m excited for you,” I said. “Do you have a name in mind?”

“I thought we might call her Lily, after your mother.”

My chest grew tight. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

“I’m glad you think so.” She took my hand and placed it on her stomach, where I felt the tiny girl moving about. “She’s going to need you. And the other girls will too.”

“What other girls?” I asked.

“Six daughters born to four mothers.” She plucked one of the lilies off the plant and brought it to her nose. “Lily, Rose, Jasmine, Camellia, Violet, and Iris. Together they will change the world. But they’ll need you to guide them.”

Unease twisted in my stomach. “I don’t understand. Are you saying my brother will be disloyal to you?”

“No. My husband may have many faults, but that is not one of them.”

Her words were scaring me now. “Then what? What have you seen?”

“Let’s discuss it some other time.” She squeezed my hand. “I have seen a great many things in the future, lives full of hardship and pain, but above all else, love. That’s what I wish you for, as well.” She tilted her head. “Isn’t that what you came to talk to me about?”

Fellina was often cryptic, and I’d long since learned that when she didn’t want to talk about her prophecies nothing would change her mind. She would tell me when she deemed it was the right time, but it was frustrating nevertheless. I sighed. “Love is not in my future.”

“What about your past?” she asked.

“Yes, there was love once.” I leaned back on the bench and gazed up at the trees above us. “I saw him again last night. He tried to kill me.”

“Is that so,” she said, although it wasn’t really a question, as if she knew exactly what had occurred.

“He’s an assassin, someone I once loved when I was younger, but he ended it between us because he said it could never work out. He was probably right.”

“Hmm. Only the Celestials know that for certain.”

My head snapped toward her. “But you can ask them, can’t you?”

“That’s not exactly how it works, but I can try.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

She lifted her hand and traced an intricate silvery rune in the air. Once it was complete, the rune flashed bright and then expanded into a complex pattern of colors and swirls that was beautiful but made little sense to me. It looked like a sunset flecked with stars, and while I gazed into it with confusion, Fellina’s eyes danced across it, interpreting and seeing things only she could see. After a few moments, it vanished.

She pursed her lips together briefly and then said, “He’ll be back. Soon.”

I sat up straighter. “Does he know who hired him to kill me?”

“Yes, he does. But you won’t like what you’ll learn.”

“Whoever it is, I’ll deal with them. Is there anything else you can tell me?”

She nodded slowly. “Remember the shoes.”

“The shoes?” I asked.

She flashed me another serene smile as she rose to her feet. “I must rest before the ball tonight. You should consider doing the same.”

My brow furrowed. Rest? Who had time for such a thing when assassins were after me? But Fellina did look exhausted and I instantly felt guilty for having her do magic for me in her delicate state. “Yes, do not tax yourself further. Shall I escort you to your room?”

“Thank you, but I can manage on my own. Why don’t you sit there and enjoy the sunshine a little longer? The flowers smell especially lovely today.”

I nearly protested, but she was already shuffling away down the stone path back to the castle. Her guards stayed close, and I was pleased to see extra men had been assigned to her.

Once she was gone I sat back on my hands and tilted my head up at the sky, enjoying the brief hint of warmth on the otherwise crisp autumn day. It would no doubt be snowing soon and we had to enjoy this weather while we could. Even if it was hard to sit back and relax with Fellina’s words echoing in my mind. Six daughters born to four mothers.

A broken twig caught my attention and I reached for the dagger strapped to my ankle. All of the guards were out of sight or had gone with Fellina. But when I saw the source of the noise, I realized it didn’t matter, because I wasn’t in any danger.

Garon limped toward me through the bushes, clutching his side. His face was unharmed, although dirty and unshaven, and he was clearly in pain.

“Garon!” I called out to him as I rushed forward. He stumbled toward me as fear gripped my throat. I caught him in my arms and he looked up into my eyes. He managed to whisper two words before he passed out.

“Prince Nial.”