Page 126 of Ashborne Forged

She sighed. “You know all of these problems would be solved if you simply accepted your destiny and grasped what—”

“And an entirely new raft of problems would follow.” I turned from the window to stare at her, no deception required for the dark look I fixed on her. “No, Mother, I will not return as heir until the day you die. I told you that. I meant it then, and I mean it now. I don’t make empty threats—remember?”

I could feel the shadows in the walls behind me. The temperature in the room seemed to drop in direct correlation to the rising heat of my rage.

Mother’s lips tightened, those small, white lines bracketing her mouth. “Then why are you here?”

“I told you, Grace is—”

“The girl is a girl. An empty-headed noble. I don’t care how adept she’s become at murder, or whatever else you’ve taught her. We both know her power is thin. Empty compared to your inheritance. If you would only embrace it.”

“Except she’s not empty,” I said quietly, then took another sip from my wine, and this time I smiled behind it.

Her eyes narrowed warily. Then her expression cleared. Setting her goblet aside she leaned forward, elbows on her knees and locked eyes with me. “I never wanted you to go.”

“Stings like a bitch when you don’t get your own way, doesn’t it?”

“Stop toying with me. You came because you of all of them understand the power I hold. I’m telling you, I recognize yours as well. And you are wasting it.”

“So sorry to disappoint—”

“Stop pretending indifference, Vane! We both know it’s an act!” she snapped, and for a split second, I was a child again, cowering under the disapproval of my mother.

But only for a fraction of a second.

Then I blinked, set aside my own wine, and matched her posture, leaning forward, elbows on my knees, my jaw just as tight as her.

“If my indifference is an act, it is only to cover my contempt.”

“Dear gods, I offer to aid you, to help you reach your true potential, and you sneer? You’re as obstinate as your fath—”

“Compare me to him once more and watch me walk out that door and never return.”

She scoffed. “And still a petulant child, as well? You come to me for help, and threaten to walk away merely because I remind you of the truth?”

I almost choked on the sheer size of my incredulity. “Truth, Mother? Truth?” Her audacity left me breathless. “If you suddenly want to play in the shallows of truth, then dip your toe in this: I am no longer a vessel of potential. I am everything you ever wanted, and feared. And unless you help me, you will never see me—or my son—again. Because I will find her. I will retrieve her. And I will use every ounce of my potential to hide him from your web.”

Her eyes widened and she straightened, her expression awed. “You did offer the bloodline vow? Son, why do you—?”

“You will not regain control of me, Mother. I am bridleless. And I’m never handing you a bit for my mouth again. Trust me, I remember every one. And I detest the flavor.”

—salt from my tears on my tongue mingling with the silk and dust and dried blood—

I shot to my feet to cover the flinch and stalked for the door, but she leaped up to rush ahead of me in that eerily swift way she had.

I stopped in my tracks when she appeared in front of me, staring down at her, as she craned her head back, mouth slightly open, and her eyes alight with zealous light. “Don’t leave. Don’t run. We can do this, Vane. I taunted you. I’m sorry. It’s a habit—I will attempt to stifle the urge. But you know me.”

“Yes, I do,” I said coldly.

She patted my chest, smoothing my lapels. I wanted to recoil from her touch, but I had her so close. So, instead, I stood there stiffly, watching her flutter, her cheeks beginning to pink. But my instincts jangled. Sometimes it was difficult to discern the difference between her excitement, and her self-satisfaction.

“I know why you’re back. I do. I just wanted you to admit it. But unlike your father, I am able to put my pride aside for the greater good.”

I almost coughed. “Oh?”

“Perhaps I have been too hard on you. Those years before you left were difficult, I know.”

I gave her a flat look.