Page 97 of The Ember and the Emerald

She gave no reaction. Just kept painting.

“She’s been like this since you departed with the king. Lost in it,” Rourke admitted under his breath.

Inner wince. “Queen Sandrine,” I said, trying again. “I seek permission to enter the Ring of Truth with the monstra. Tinman. I’d like to do this now, even before Ahav returns⁠—”

That did it. “Ahav?” She dropped the paintbrush and tray and spun to face me, only to scrunch up her features and drill her fists into her temples. “Dreams are coming in the daytime now, and I…I…” Her thought trailed off as she slanted her head, eyeing the circle of monstra she’d painted.

“The Ring of Truth,” I began, trying again. “I want to enter it with my Tinman.”

“Yes. Fine. I’ll stay here and…” Another trailing off. She gathered her supplies, then started painting again, adding her husband to the center, her audience forgotten.

I could stay here, hurting with her, or I could do what needed doing, now that I’d gained permission.

No need to think about it. “You heard her. Take me to the Ring of Truth,” I commanded the captain.

He nodded. “This way.”

With him in the lead, we strode into the hall. Jasher leaned against the wall, sharpening his claws. Spotting me, he straightened and slipped to my side. No guards attempted to stop him.

“We’re good to go.” I leaned my head on his shoulder, foreboding not just pricking my nape but clawing it. What we learned in the Ring of Truth could change everything. Again.

But at least we’d finally know the complete story. The complete truth.

30

NO FILTERS

The Ring of Truth blazed, a huge bow that arced over the obsidian dais. Alive—crackling and colorful—pulsing with otherworldly power.

I tried to ignore a wave of nervousness.

Jasher stood at my side, his expression carved in stone, posture rigid. He suspected what I did. Everything was about to change.

Perspiration slicked my palms. Around us, the wide, ancient cathedral mirrored the Ring’s glow, reflecting its light. Those unnatural hues of sapphire and violet held a stronger draw today, as if they knew I was ready to hear the secrets trapped within.

Rourke waited behind us, a hand on the hilt of his blade. “Enter, and the flames will do the rest.”

Lifting his chin, Jasher offered me a hard, flat statement. “Today we learn the truth, whatever the consequences.”

“Whatever the consequences,” I echoed.

He kissed me, hard and fast, then released my hand and motioned me forward. I mimicked his posture and ascended with slow, measured steps, tremors hounding my knees. Why did I feel as if I approached a firing squad? I wanted the truth. Needed it. My entire life had been a lie, and it was time to learn what, exactly, had happened.

Jasher remained two beats behind me. The stairs creaked beneath our boots, the perfect accompaniment to the steady drip of water I felt in my bones. The fragrance of salt and limestone coated the cool air.

Upon the dais, we paused. He looked at me, and I looked at him. His rigid determination slipped, just for a second, revealing features bathed in worry, hope, and yearning. Perhaps my features revealed the same.

We took the final step, entering the circle together.

A wave of heat instantly enveloped me, gentle against my skin yet strong enough to yank me off my feet. I yelped in surprise, hanging there, suspended mid-air, unable to see beyond the fire. It was just me and Jasher. Until the flames swallowed him.

Fear slashed through me, ice-daggers cutting straight into my veins. Something pulled at my insides. Then time collapsed, becoming a pressure inside my skull. I screamed, wrestling against my invisible restraints. Fighting to escape. Tugging, kicking, throwing elbows.

In a blink, everything stilled, even me. My gaze met—my gaze.

Shock hit. I stood across from myself. The other me smiled, so cold and emotionless, reminding me of the visions, when I’d stood atop the mountain, viewing the world around me, utterly unaffected.

“Look,” she commanded, thousands of whispers compounded into one voice. She glided her hand slowly, as if moving in water. “See.”