“You mustn’t waste any more tears on me. I know you’ve shed so many already for Theon.”
Cleo had tried to make her peace with what had happened, but she felt as if the pain was still muffled, as though it was too new. Too raw and hadn’t fully hit her yet. Losing someone she’d only just started to love was bad enough, but the thought of losing Emilia too...
Cleo held her sister’s thin hand gently. “What can I do to help you?”
Emilia settled back on her multitude of colorful pillows. On her nightstand was a large bouquet of flowers Cleo had picked in the castle courtyard, the closest she could get to being outside. It was in the direct center of the castle, a large patch of walled greenery with apple and peach trees and a beautifully groomed flower garden. Both sisters liked to take classes out there when the tutors were agreeable.
“Be strong, that’s all,” Emilia said. “And try to spend more time with your friends in this strange and confusing time, not only with me. I don’t mind being alone tonight.”
Even in her current strife, the future queen of Auranos kept a stiff upper lip, just as she’d always been trained. It was very nearly amusing how unlike the two sisters were despite less than three years separating them in age—Emilia so mature and Cleo the opposite.
Cleo twisted her finger through a lock of her hair. “I’ve been trying to avoid them. Aron’s now lurking in the shadows. I never know when he’s going to jump out at me.”
This made Emilia laugh. “You mean, he isn’t out waving a sword around and trying to protect his future wife?”
Cleo gave her a squeamish look. “Don’t even joke about something like that.”
“I’m sorry. I know you find no humor in this situation.”
“None at all.” Cleo sighed shakily. “But enough about Aron. My foremost worry is your well-being, sister. And as soon as this battle is over, which I hope will be very soon, I’ll send a guard to Paelsia as I promised I would.”
“To search for this Watcher with healing seeds to help save my life.”
“Yes, and don’t say it with such skepticism. You’re the one who gave me the idea in the first place. Before, I didn’t even believe in magic.”
“Now you do?”
“I do. With all my heart.”
Emilia shook her head. “There’s no magic that can save me now, Cleo. It would be best that you try to accept what’s meant to be.”
Cleo stiffened. “Never.”
Emilia laughed again, although it was a weak sound in her chest. “So you believe that you can fight destiny and win.”
“Without a doubt.” As long as Emilia breathed, there was still hope for a way to cure her.
Emilia squeezed her hands. “Go, find Mira and Nic.”
“Should I send Mira to you later?”
“No. Let her have a night off from attending to me. I’m sure she’s having a difficult time worrying about the siege outside.”
“At least it’s a quiet siege. I think that must be a good sign.” If she didn’t already know something horrible was happening outside, she never would have guessed it. The sounds of battle did not penetrate the thick castle walls.
Emilia didn’t smile at this. She just looked tired and sad. “I hope so.”
“Tomorrow will be a better day.” Cleo bent over and kissed her sister’s cool forehead. “I love you, sister.”
“I love you too.”
Cleo slipped out of Emilia’s chambers and padded along the hallway. It was eerily quiet in the castle. The windows had all been blocked with boards.
Being cooped up gave her far too much time to think about Theon. She missed him being around, shadowing her at the castle, giving her stern looks when she did or said something mischievous. The relief on his face when he’d found her unharmed in Paelsia. The heat in his gaze when he admitted that he cared deeply for her.
And then, the surprised pain when the Limerian prince impaled him with a sword and stole his life forever.
She pushed away her tears as she moved through the same hallways they’d walked together. His loss was a constant weight on her heart, and it only grew heavier with each day that had passed.