Let the Storm Break (Sky Fall #2)(13)

“I changed my mind,” I say, spinning around to find Os blocking the exit. “I can’t stay here.”

Os shakes his head. “You need to rest.”

“Then move Arella—”

“I can’t, Vane. I built the Maelstrom for her. It was the only way I could keep her contained.”

“They’re afraid of me,” Arella chimes in, laughing when I turn to glare at her. “But don’t worry, down here I’m completely useless.” She rattles the chains, her skinny arms flexing and straining. The metal barely wiggles. “See?”

Os marches toward her, stepping right in her face. “If you do anything to bother Vane, I will have the guard silence you. I’m sure you remember how unpleasant that was.”

“I do.” She says it with a slight smile, but her voice cracks and what little color she had seems to drain from her skin.

“Good.” Os gives me what I’m assuming is meant to be a reassuring smile as he says, “Rest well, Your Highness.”

Oh yeah, because nothing says “rest” like being locked up with a psychopath in a place too creepy to let normal people know about.

I try to look confident as he leaves, but everything inside me shudders when the weird mesh curtain latches closed, leaving me trapped underground with the devil woman.

I turn my back on her and study my tiny cell.

Stubby candles are set into the spinning walls to provide faint light, though their glow seems strange. It takes me a second to realize it’s because they don’t flicker. Their flames are solid and steady, and even when I blow on them nothing happens, like the air is swallowed as soon as it leaves my lips.

“Feels wrong, doesn’t it?” Arella whispers.

I ignore her, making my way to the pile of fluffy things and collapsing on my back.

I close my eyes, and they burn behind my eyelids, like they’re screaming at me for keeping them open too long.

I let out a slow breath, trying to relax.

“So it’s Your Highness now,” Arella says, refusing to be ignored. “Does that mean I should congratulate my daughter on being queen?”

Faster that I thought possible, I’m on my feet and across the room, slamming my fist against the chains. “There is nothing between me and Au—”

“Relax, Vane,” she whispers, leaning closer instead of backing away. Her breath smells like a rat crawled into her mouth and died as she tells me, “I haven’t told them about you two and I don’t intend to.”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“Of course there isn’t.”

She smiles.

I back away. “Whatever you think you know—you’re wrong. And if you don’t shut up right now, I’ll call the guard and have him silence you.”

“Oh, fine, have it your way. But if there were something to tell, your secret would be safe with me.”

“Right. Like I’d ever trust you.”

“Look at me, Vane.”

She waits for me to meet her eyes and I’m struck by how much they remind me of Audra’s. The same dark blue that almost looks black. The same intense stare.

“In a strange way, I should be thanking you,” she whispers. “I never realized how much the winds affected me—how much the pain fueled my life. Not until you had them suck all the winds away. It was like I could finally think again, after living in a fog for so long.”

She steps back, rubbing the skin on her arms.

Audra never told me much about her mother, but I know she feels things on the wind that no one else can. A rare gift that gives her crucial insights. And causes her incredible pain.

“I won’t waste my time apologizing for what I’ve done,” she says after a moment. “But I do want you to know that it wasn’t me. Not really. My gift is very . . . confusing.”

“Hey—you know what else is confusing? Growing up an orphan with no memories of my past. And I’m betting Audra thought it was pretty confusing growing up without a father—especially since you let her believe she killed him.”

I’m done with this conversation.

I stalk back to my pillows, lying on my side with my back to her.

“How is she?”

There’s an ache in Arella’s voice that I’m not used to hearing. It almost sounds like she cares. And even though I’m sure it’s all part of her game, I decide to answer her question.

“She’s free.”

“Good.”

I glance over my shoulder, stunned by the peaceful smile spread across her lips.

This woman is a murderer, I remind myself.

“You’re wasting your time with this I’m a changed woman act. I don’t buy it—and Audra won’t either. You’re lucky I stopped her from killing you that day in the desert.”

“You mean when she was attacking me with Westerlies?”

She drags out the last word as she raises one eyebrow.

I sit up, trying to stay calm. “I taught her a few commands.”

“I’m sure you did. But you haven’t taught anyone else, have you? I wonder why that is.” Arella presses her face against the chains, smashing her pale skin through the gaps. “There’s no point denying it, Vane. I can see it in your eyes. But I’m not going to tell the Gales, if you’re wondering. I see no point in being on the bad side of the only person who can release me. Or his future wife.”