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A bitter laugh I can’t contain spills out of me. “Even if we’ve destroyed an awful lot since then?”
“It isn’t your fault.” Alek lifts his hand to cup my cheek. “People like you gave the gods the means to stop the worst kind of brutal magic before it went too far. They used those people and then couldn’t fix what they’d broken, so they abandoned you even more than the All-Giver abandoned the rest of us. We should be working with all of the riven to make up for those mistakes, not driving you to desperation and then executing you for it.”
He speaks so emphatically that I can’t doubt how much he means the words. Tears well up behind my eyes.
What would the world look like if instead of everyone living in fear of the riven, believing that all of them need to be caught as soon as possible and slaughtered, they watched for signs of the power in their children out of caring instead? Gave them training like what Sulla offered me and monitored their progress to ensure they never went mad?
How much more could they contribute to the realms if they were given that chance?
If we were?
I’m still in too much shock for my hopes to lift far. I study Alek’s face. “You said you thought you might get in trouble for telling me this.”
His throat bobs with a thick swallow. “I told Tinom first, when I didn’t find you right away. And he—he threw the main proof I had into one of the fireplaces and told me people would be too confused if we made the truth known widely. That it wasn’t worth the consequences.”
A chill seeps through my innards. I’ve always known the magic advisor was hesitant to trust my control over my magic, but I didn’t realize he’d actively work against me.
Apparently the grace he’s given only extends as far as necessary for me to continue protecting the royal family.
“Then we can’t do anything about it anyway,” I say. “We don’t have proof. He’d obviously deny it.”
Alek shakes his head. “I might be able to find other accounts. There were a few briefer mentions that at least support the records I found at the Haven… It isn’t our most urgent concern right now, but after Silana is set back in order, people should know the real story.”
A soft, melodic voice carries from the doorway. “I agree.”
Alek and I both jerk around.
Petra steps into the room. Her dark eyes are solemn as our future queen takes in the scholar and then me.
My heart skips a beat and then keeps hammering. “How much did you hear?”
“All the important parts, I think. I’m sorry. I was looking for you to find out the latest news from our allies in Nikodi, and when I caught a little of what you were talking about—” A hint of a blush colors her smooth cheeks. “I should have come in and been part of the discussion properly. I’ve gotten too much in the habit of hanging back and simply listening.”
Before I can decide what to say, she takes another step forward and grasps my hands. “Ivy, you know I trust you. I’ve seen how dedicated you are and how careful you’ve been. I want this country to be better to all riven sorcerers going forward. So what I’m about to tell you, please know that I had no part in it. If I’d found out in time, I’d have tried to argue him out of it.”
The chill inside me thickens with dread. “What?”
Petra’s mouth tightens. “My father—the pardon… Even in the end, he refused to believe that you could be anything other than a danger to the country. He lied in his letter. I think he was going to forgive Stavros and the others, but he’d made arrangements to subdue you and take you into custody when you arrived.”
The revelation hits me like a sucker punch. My breath rushes out of me around an ache that fills my lungs. “Oh. Of course.”
How could I ever have imagined that the king who’s made it one of his greatest quests to hunt down the riven would welcome me as an ally?
Alek’s eyes flash. “That’s terrible. He promised her amnesty and?—”
“He’s dead,” I cut in. “Partly because of me. It isn’t as if he was entirely?—”
“No.” Petra squeezes my hands. “He was wrong. Absolutely, utterly wrong. And if he’d realized that sooner, Lothar would never have had the opportunity to use you the way he did. I only bring it up now because Tinom was aware of the plan. My father never trusted the riven, and Tinom is holding on to the same opinion out of loyalty. I’ve been firm with him when he’s raised concerns. I’ll speak to him again, more forcefully. And when I’m queen, then my word will be the law. He’ll have to adapt.”
I know she intends to comfort me, but the ache doesn’t leave. If anything, I only feel queasier.
She’s taking a stand for me against not just public opinion but what remains of her court. Against her father’s memory.
Gods help me, how could I repay that?
How can I make sure I don’t drag her down in her attempt to save me?
After everything I’ve heard today, it’s hard for me to believe that the larger world’s view of riven sorcery could ever be shifted. I can’t let what’s probably a hopeless quest for justice interfere with Petra’s true purpose.
