Page 162 of Autumn Queens & Shadows

“Sit,” I said to the both of them, taking a seat myself. “And go on.”

Eren remained on his sport for a few moments looking somewhat surprised before he also followed suit.

“A messenger will come with the news in less than ten minutes,” she said, her eyes glowing. “They’ve chosen something you will not be able to refuse.”

“A duel,” I guessed. It had always pointed to that. Now that Iskyla knew my powers had dwindled, she was confident she could take me on.

“The same as the one before you, yes,” Lilith confirmed, her eyes returning back to its pale colour.

Eren glanced between me and her, looking a bit reluctant before he said, “But Iskyla has to know she will lose against you.”

Maybe she would not—not while my magic had gone haywire. This was her perfect opportunity to strike. “Not just her. The claim to the throne is viable to all her sisters.”

My brother’s eyes widened. “Five against one?”

Her sisters were her insurance just in case she had been wrong to assume about my magic. “Are you doubting me?”

“Seems unreasonable. Isjordians will not see it well.”

I shook my head. “No, they will commend it as a way to force me to prove myself, to show my strength.”

“She is right,” Lilith added, nodding. “The duel will happen. I’ve seen it happen from the eyes of many who will witness it. Your entire kingdom will stand witness to it.”

Eren looked like he’d heard that for the first time. “Seen it? Lily, what have you seen?”

Ducking her head, she lowered her eyes. “I cannot speak of what I’ve seen, for I’d be interfering and causing much more damage by twisting the fate of tomorrow.” Her hand patted against the table until her fingers touched mine. “Please, remember my warning.”

Against all what some part of me wanted to say—a part that had now shrunk to a small, petty thing—I turned her hand in mine and held it. “I will. Thank you.”

Lilith was almost frozen still, and then slowly, a smile made a show. One different from all the others.

I’d not realised how many decisions I had made thinking as younger me thought. Letting my past issues fill in the blanks I could have easily gotten by communicating and being understanding instead of shutting down and pushing away.

Chapter thirty-eight

Black Spider Lily

Malik

Kilian leaned against my bedroom door, watching me contemplate by a window.

“Doesn’t look like you’re preparing to leave.”

“Don’t have many shawls and corsets to pack, brother.”

“And is Golgotha really agreeing to letting you remain in Hellas?”

“Yes. At least until the next red moon when the portal to Valinhel can be opened.” Hellas was the only place I could think of going where I couldn’t be tempted to come back to her. It had taken becoming an almost prisoner to the Demon God to keep away, to do as she had asked. Because anywhere else, I would have broken that promise.

“Yet you’re here.”

“Until I see her get rid of Iskyla.”

“Might be sooner than later.”

“I know.”

His brows rose. “You know?”