Rebel Spring A Falling Kingdoms(48)
She nodded. “Twice before when I was here. Alas, it never lasts more than a few minutes and then she falls asleep again.”
He fisted his hands at his sides. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”
His mother turned her head at his sharp and angry tone, her expression patient. “Because I knew you would only be disappointed. I know how deeply you love your sister.”
There was something in the way she said it. Did the queen know Magnus’s dark secret as Lucia did?
He wished that they might wipe the slate clean. To return to how it was when everything was simpler between them. To start again.
Impossible.
“I don’t remember waking before,” Lucia said, confused, as she pushed herself up to a sitting position.
“You still should have told me, Mother,” Magnus growled. “And told Father, too.”
“And risk one of his rages when she slipped away yet again? No, my son. I certainly shouldn’t have. We will see how this goes, if she stays with us this time, before we say a single word about it to him.”
“I will stay awake,” Lucia insisted.
“Go now,” the queen said, standing up and squeezing Magnus’s hands in her own. “I’ll attend to my daughter.”
“But, Mother—”
“Go,” she said, her tone firm. “And say nothing to the king until I tell you otherwise.”
The anger that had risen inside him at the thought that his mother would keep such secrets from him hadn’t yet lessened, but he did understand why she’d chosen to do so. After all, he would have done exactly the same to protect Lucia.
“Fine.” The word was uttered through clenched teeth. “But I will come back.”
“Of course you will. You’ve never been able to stay away from her for long. She’s the only one you’ve ever truly cared about, isn’t she?”
A muscle in his scarred cheek twitched. “Wrong, Mother. I cared about you. And I could again, if you let me.”
His words had succeeded in bringing a glistening to the queen’s eyes, but her only reply was a shallow nod. He shifted his gaze to Lucia. “I’ll return soon. I promise. Please . . . don’t fall asleep again.”
Then he left them alone just as the queen commanded.
CHAPTER 12
LUCIA
AURANOS
The majesty of the room around her took Lucia’s breath away. Compared to her more austere chambers in the Limerian palace, this was the very definition of luxury. The floors and walls shone as if set with precious metals. The breeze from the open balcony window was warm, not frigid. The canopied bed was soft, covered in imported fabrics that were colorful and silky, with fur throws that were pure white and as soft and warm as Hana’s fur.
So very strange—it was as if she was still dreaming.
Dreaming.
Alexius . . .
At first, she thought it had been him sitting vigil at her bedside as she woke. But Alexius’s hair was bronze, not black. His eyes golden and full of joy, not dark brown and pained. She hoped Magnus had not seen the disappointment in her own eyes that it was he she saw, not the boy from her dreams.
The queen sat back down on the edge of the bed and pressed her cool hand to Lucia’s forehead. “How are you feeling, my darling? Thirsty?”
Lucia nodded. “I don’t remember waking before. But you say I did?”
“Yes. Twice. But it was only for a moment.”
“Only a moment . . . not like this?”
“No.” The queen smiled. “Not like this. Then you drifted off again.”
Her gaze moved to the balcony, to the sliver of blue sky she could see beyond it. “I want to see Father.”
“Of course. Very soon.”
The queen moved off to the side to pour her some water and brought it back, holding the silver goblet to Lucia’s lips. The water was blissfully cool as it slid down her throat.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I’ve heard what you did. How you used your elementia to help Gaius take this palace. Take this kingdom.” The queen sat again beside Lucia. “Many people died that day, but your father got the victory he desired.”
Lucia swallowed hard. “How many died?”
“Countless innocent lives were lost. I arrived as quickly as I could. I wanted to be here with my family, no matter what the outcome of the war. Gaius didn’t know I’d be traveling so soon. In fact, he was angry with me that I’d arrived unannounced. But I’m here. And I’ve watched over you every day since.”
Countless innocent lives.
She couldn’t blame herself for this, she told herself frantically. Her father and Magnus had been in danger—all of Limeros had been in danger. She did what she had to for her family, for her kingdom. Magnus had nearly died in front of her from injuries he’d sustained in the battle. Only her earth magic had healed him in time. Without it, he’d be gone.