“But you liked him. Perhaps more than liked him.”
He rubbed his hand through his short red hair. “I barely knew him, Cleo. But . . . what I’d begun to feel, it . . . it didn’t feel wrong.”
Cleo nodded. “I completely understand. What our hearts want can overtake what our minds tell us is forbidden to us. We can’t control these feelings, even if we desperately wish we could.”
He began to eye her with suspicion. “You understand, do you? Why? Is your heart currently confused as well? Are we even out here to talk about me? Or are we talking about you?”
Nic always saw her clearly—more than anyone else did. She would be wise to remember that now.
She closed her eyes to try to block out all of her confusion, but all she could see was the Theon from her nightmare, staring at her with pain and confusion.
“Why would you betray me like this?”
“Cleo, look at me,” Nic prompted.
Reluctantly, she opened her eyes.
“Don’t,” he said sternly. “Just don’t.”
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course you do,” Nic said, then groaned. “Just remember one thing: Everything the prince has done lately, he’s done it for one person only—and it’s not you. It’s him. He is every bit as scheming and conniving and selfish as his father. You’re smarter than this, Cleo. I know you are. You have to see through to the motivations behind everything he does.”
His tone was free from accusation or disgust. Rather, he spoke with patience and understanding . . . and perhaps a little frustration.
“I’m not sure what to believe anymore, Nic.”
“I can see that.” He swept her hair back from her face and behind her shoulder. “I know you didn’t come to me today to talk about love, Cleo. You came to me because you know that, whenever things get a little blurry, I can always help you see reason again. Prince Magnus is your mortal enemy, not a dark hero who will redeem himself for true love. And that’s never, ever going to change.”
She couldn’t help but laugh, but it held no humor. “You make me sound like a complete fool.”
“No, you’re no fool. You’re the smartest girl I’ve ever known.” He grinned. “And the best-looking one, by far. I know you’re going to do the right thing. But you have to remember who your enemy is. Remember why we came back to this palace—for more information about the Kindred. If we can get even one of them you’ll have your throne back.”
What was more important to her? Vengeance for her family’s death, the reclaiming of her stolen throne, ensuring a future for her people that was free of the King of Blood?
Or a prince, whom she knew she could never fully trust with her heart or her life?
It all seemed so clear again. Thank the goddess she’d had that dream about Theon to remind her of what she could never forget—and that she had Nic as her voice of reason.
“You’re absolutely right,” Cleo managed to say after a heavy silence. Finally, she led them toward the labyrinth’s exit. “Magnus is my enemy. I hate him for everything he’s taken from me—from both of us—and I always will.”
Nic let out what sounded like a sigh of relief. “Good to hear.”
They finally exited the maze, only to be greeted by a dry, humorless voice.
“Yes, that is good to hear, isn’t it? For all of us.”Magnus leaned against the frozen labyrinth wall, as if he’d been waiting there for them to emerge. Cleo’s blood turned to ice at the sight of him.
“My, that must have been a fascinating conversation. I’m sorry I only caught the end of it. I wondered why you were looking so upset inside the palace, princess, so I took the liberty of following you and your best friend out here to learn why. After all, as your mortal, eternal enemy, I’m quite wary of your intentions.”
The thought that he’d only heard the end of their conversation and not any hints at her internal struggle about him was the only relief she could find.
“You’re not wearing a cloak,” she said when she’d finally found her voice. “You’ll freeze to death out here.”
“Would you like that?” He wasn’t shivering, but his arms were crossed tightly over his chest. “Very sorry to disappoint you, but I’ll be fine. Perhaps it’s my cold, black heart that makes all the difference?” He shifted his icy gaze to Nic. “And here I thought we’d somewhat bonded over our drinks and secrets last night. How disappointing.” He hesitated, frowning. “Do you even hear me, Cassian?”
“Um,” Nic began. “Looks like you’re about to have some unexpected company today.”
Cleo turned, followed Nic’s line of sight, and gasped.
Heading directly toward them was Princess Lucia Damora.
CHAPTER 12
MAGNUS
LIMEROS
Lucia . . .” Magnus moved toward her as if in a dream. Was this true? Was this actually happening? “You’re here. You’re safe!”
She wore a long gray cloak with a white rabbit fur trim. Her raven-black hair hung loose, a stark contrast to the snowy surroundings, as were her red lips and sky-blue eyes.
Walking next to her was a young man Magnus didn’t recognize.
“Greetings, Magnus,” Lucia said. “I had no idea you were back in Limeros.”
She spoke so calmly, it was as if they’d seen each other only yesterday. As if he hadn’t chased after her all over Mytica, trying to stop her from letting that devious Watcher ruin her life, only to find blood and death at the temple.
All he wanted was to reach forward and take her hand in his, to ensure that she was real. There was a time not so long ago when she was his only friend in the world, the one who knew him better than any other.
Cleo and her devoted minion remained standing by the exit to the ice maze, but they were close enough to overhear this conversation. The last time the two princesses had seen each other, Lucia had allegedly tried to kill Cleo. After overhearing the cold words Cleo had spoken to Nic, Magnus was more certain than ever that Lucia had ample reason to threaten the Auranian princess’s life. He couldn’t stop himself from glancing over his shoulder to see her reaction to his adopted sister’s return. Cleo stood there, her fists clenched at her sides, with not a glimmer of fear in her eyes. No great surprise.
He frowned. “Where else would I be, Lucia? The note you left, your elopement . . .”
“I don’t believe I mentioned I’d be going to Limeros.”
“Remember, I do know you. Perhaps better than you realize. It was immediately clear to me where you’d want to go with your . . . beloved.” And then there was also the fact that, in her fit of rage, Lucia had told Cleo that the water Kindred could be claimed here. Where else would her devious Watcher want to take her?
“I’m sure you were very angry with me,” said Lucia after a moment of consideration.
“I was angry,” he admitted. “But not with you. I blame Alexius for everything.”
“Me too.”
That was a surprising admission, and one that perhaps explained Alexius’s curious absence from Lucia’s side. “You were there at the temple, weren’t you? Before the ice storm?”