Immortal Reign (Falling Kingdoms #6)(35)

But Magnus still believed in Lucia.

And he believed in Cleo.

That would have to be enough.





CHAPTER 12


    LUCIA


   AURANOS




Ever since drawing the truth from Lord Gareth’s lying mouth yesterday, Lucia felt more of her magic slipping away.

She barely slept last night thinking about how to solve this crushing problem.

Other than draining Jonas of more of his strange magic—which would possibly kill him the next time—she came up with no solid answer.

Even Lyssa’s nursemaid noticed the strain and worry on Lucia’s face and told her to go outside and get some sunshine and fresh air.

Instead of ignoring her, Lucia decided to do as suggested.

She had enjoyed the palace courtyard the last time she’d been there, relished in walking its mosaic pathway through the olive and willow trees and beautiful flower gardens tended daily by a full roster of talented gardeners.

The sound of buzzing bees, the chirp of songbirds, and the warm Auranian sun on her face calmed her.

It wasn’t home, but it would have to do for now.

The king said they would stay at the Auranian palace until he found Kurtis, who, perhaps, might return to the palace seeking his father’s assistance.

So be it.

From the pocket of her gown, she pulled out the amber orb that had once been Kyan’s prison. After he’d taken corporeal form, he had kept this with him until the magic from her ring had destroyed that form.

This orb was of value to the fire Kindred.

And it was a threat to him. But only if Lucia could summon the full strength of her magic to imprison him again.

While seated upon a stone bench in the center of the courtyard, she held the small crystal sphere in the palm of her hand and tried to levitate it with air magic.

Lucia concentrated, gritting her teeth with the effort, but nothing happened.

She failed again and again to shift the object even a fraction.

Oh, goddess, she thought with growing panic. My magic is completely gone.

“Lucia.”

The sound of Cleo’s voice made her jump, and she quickly tucked the amber orb back into her pocket.

“Apologies if I startled you,” Cleo said, wringing her hands.

“Not at all,” Lucia lied, managing a tight smile. “Good morning.”

Cleo didn’t reply. She simply stood there, studying Lucia nervously.

She wore a lovely blue gown today with orange and yellow flowers embroidered along the hem of the skirt. Lucia would have envied her for it in the past. Limerians, even royalty, rarely wore bright colors. Lucia’s mother had always insisted on looking proper, polished, and well-tailored—provided the colors one wore were gray, black, or olive green.

Yet Lucia had always been drawn to brighter colors. She had hated Lady Sabina Mallius, her father’s former mistress, but envied her ability to wear red. While it was the official color of Limeros, such a color rarely found its way onto the clothing of anyone but a palace guard.

Perhaps I should have confiscated Sabina’s wardrobe after I murdered her, Lucia mused.

It seemed so long ago—her first burst of uncontrollable magic that had led to a death. How horrible Lucia had felt about it at the time.

But that was then, and this was now.

“That is a beautiful gown,” she said.

Cleo looked down at herself as if just realizing what she wore. “This is the work of Lorenzo Tavera. He has a dress shop in Hawk’s Brow.”

Lucia found she didn’t care about such things anymore, not really.

No, now that Cleo was right in front of her, she had much more important subjects on her mind. Her gaze moved to Cleo’s left hand, the one that bore the water magic symbol. She’d seen the same symbol a thousand times on statues of the goddess Valoria.

To see it in reality, on the palm on the Auranian princess, felt rather surreal.

There were more markings on Cleo’s skin—thin, branching blue lines that extended from the water symbol itself. At first glance, they appeared like veins visible through translucent skin, but they were far more ominous than that.

“I need your help,” Cleo said, simply.

Something caught in Lucia’s chest, something cold and hard and tight.

“Do you?” she replied.

Cleo bit her bottom lip, her eyes cast downward. “I know you hate me for what I did. I convinced you we were friends, and you allowed me to take part in the awakening ritual. When you confronted me about telling Jonas where to find the crystals, I denied it.”

Lucia watched her carefully, surprised by the words coming out of her mouth.

Cleo blinked hard as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “I did only what I felt like I had to do to survive. But know this: I had come to value you as a friend, Lucia. If it had been another world, another lifetime, perhaps we could have been just that without any difficulties. But instead, I betrayed your trust for my own gain. And I truly apologize for hurting you.”

Lucia found herself momentarily at a loss for words. “You mean this.”

Cleo nodded. “With all my heart.”

Lucia had been terribly hurt by the betrayal. And she’d reacted the only way she knew how—with anger and violence. She’d nearly killed Cleo that day, just before she’d foolishly run away with Alexius.