Ever the Brave (A Clash of Kingdoms Novel)(44)

“I worked at an Elementiary. I had access to ancient tomes. And my aunt is one of the Guild.”

I blink at Lirra, stunned for a moment, though the warmth of her truth eases my shock.

“It’s not something I wave around on a flag. But I trust you’ll keep it to yourself.”

“You trust me?” I squeak.

“As much as you probably trust me. Besides, you’re keeping some intense secrets, so I’ve leverage over you in case you ever want to start sharing too much information.”

Lirra’s savvy and clever in a way that amazes me. I like her confidence and ease around others. But there’s an edge to her words. “You’re not very trusting.”

She laughs. “Neither are you.” Lirra shakes out a bundle of straw, letting the pieces fall between us. “Trust is an interesting thing. You don’t trust people because they’ve never accepted you. They’ve never shown you any kindness. Am I right?”

I shrug, bristle a little, even if she’s right.

She continues, “I know too many of the secrets my father’s garnered. I don’t trust anyone because I know they’re liars.”

A laugh bursts out of me at her candidness. “Not everyone lies.”

“Really? You with your ability to discern the truth are going to sit there and tell me not everyone lies.” She harrumphs. “I don’t have to be a Spiriter to know even you are full of secrets. And secrets lead to lies.”

True. Cohen comes to mind. Though he’s been back a few days, I’ve still not figured out how to tell him I’m connected to the king. If I could find a way to quickly sever the bond, I could move on and Cohen would be none the wiser. And yet, even thinking as much fills me with guilt. If the situation were reversed, I’d want to know the truth.

I sigh and push another wangle into the roof. “Yes, many people have secrets. Not everyone tells massive, life-altering lies. Just small lies. Inn—” I stop myself from saying the word innocent, because are there really any innocent lies?

“A lie is a lie. You have to know that people see what they want you to see.”

Being the Archtraitor’s daughter has jaded Lirra, that’s for sure. In all things there’s good and bad and in between. I think of my own life and the secrets that have been kept from me, as well as the ones I’m keeping.

I fight with whether or not I should tell her who my mother is. I don’t always want to be the girl who doesn’t trust anyone. Besides, her father is the Archtraitor of Malam. She’ll understand why I don’t want anyone to know.

I let go of my reservations and explain everything that happened in the woods the day I found the king.

When I finish, she gapes at me. “Whoa. Phelia is your mother.” She rubs her forehead. “Your question makes more sense now.”

“Good, because I have more. Would taking someone’s energy also physically mark a person?”

Lirra tips her head to the side. Her dark brown braid slides off her shoulder. “I’ve never personally met anyone who fits this description, but the tomes mentioned something about darkening a Spiriter’s skin along with their insight.”

Interesting. “What do you think Phelia is doing with the girls?”

A gust of wind rolls over us. “I—I don’t know.” Lirra frowns and then stares up at the sky. “You said Phelia touched a girl, and then Aodren couldn’t breathe?” Dread slackens her expression as I recall the memory Aodren shared with me. “Let me try something, all right?”

“Yeah, go on.”

Lirra frees her hands, putting some hay under her legs so it doesn’t blow away. Then she extends her palms toward my face. A sudden burst of wind weaves through my hair, drawing it toward her.

My lungs tighten. I try to draw a breath, but there’s no oxygen.

I gasp at nothing, my eyes drying out. My head spins.

Just as quickly as the air left, it returns, coolness breaking across my face. I gasp and snag breath after breath. When I manage to get ahold of myself, I whack Lirra in the shoulder with my fist. “Could’ve warned me that you were going to try and kill me.”

She rubs her arm and sags against the roof, seeming much more tired than before her demonstration. “It would’ve ruined the surprise.”

“How did you do that? Take the air away?”

She yawns and her hands tremble in her lap. “Sorry, that took a lot of energy. It’s not easy. I drew the air toward me, creating a vacuum, leaving nothing left for you to breathe.”

“Do you need to rest?” I point at her jittery limbs.

“I won’t argue if you say it’s time to go inside and see if Gillian’s done preparing supper.”

“All right, let’s go.” I take the remaining hay and put it back in the basket, then carry it to the ladder. I go first, and then watch as Lirra follows, making sure she doesn’t misstep.

Lirra trudges to the stable, tailing me as I put away the tools and remaining hay.

I walk over to Snowfire and rub her nose. “But Phelia is a Spiriter, not an air Channeler.”

Lirra pinches some feed hay off the ground and holds it out to her horse, Traitor. Clever name. I inwardly snort every time we’re near her gelding.

“Go back to the basics,” Lirra says. “Spiriters can give energy or take energy. Phelia took energy from the other Channeler.”