Page 81 of Revels on an Angel’s Grave

Emmeline’s throat tightened. Fates, how much less lonely would she have been if she’d simply allowed herself to get closer to Myrella before? How much would this shared understanding have changed things for both of them?

Sometimes, though, she thought the Fates gave you the people you needed in your life precisely when they were needed.

Myrella was here now. Sharing this. It was a closeness that both released a weight from Emmeline’s chest and tied a new knot around her ribs. The freedom of sharing a burden warring with the fear of that reliance hurting them all more.

Emmeline stretched across the piles of books, squeezing Myrella’s hand. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”

Gaze drifting to Nico’s name on the wall, Myrella whispered, “Everything with Nico felt so permanent. I know it doesn’t make sense since we had so little time together, but I didn’t think I’d be alone again.”

“You aren’t.”

Myrella squeezed her hand back. “I know they lied about you going to the Academy, but why did you want to transfer to Valyn anyway? You never mentioned it.”

Emmeline inhaled, a sharp burn in her lungs at the thought of what she was about to share. “I made a deal with Falliare when I first got the position on Lyra that one day I’d transfer here. I needed to work my way into the Valyn network to find information about…my family.”

It wasn’t every detail. She didn’t mention the temple trades or her sister specifically. Every piece of information she let out into the world was one she couldn’t get back, and Emmeline didn’t want to expose Addie. Plus, giving Myrella that secret could put her in danger, too.

But it was something. And based on how the shadows in Myrella’s eyes pulled back, she understood. “Thanks for telling me. If you need help, I’m here.”

Gratitude rolled off Myrella in waves, gripping onto Emmeline, too. For so long, she’d embraced isolation. And while she still found it hard to let anyone in entirely, perhaps there was a way she could funnel her love out without letting anything close enough. Without her coveted magic risking anything else she loved.

A sharp voice cut in from the doorway. “By the Fates, what’s all this?”

Emmeline jolted, sliding the dresses back into place before she recognized Lola and relaxed.

“How was breakfast with Falliare?” Emmeline asked.

Lola rolled her eyes, but Desmond looked extremely disgruntled over her shoulder. “He never answers questions, dear uncle of mine. But when I asked about his schedule, he said he’s busy tonight.”

“Another ritual?” Emmeline breathed.

“Possibly,” Lola agreed, dropping to her knees beside Emmeline. “But what is all this?”

Desmond grumbled. “You’ve never seen Emmeline’s evidence maps?”

“Maps?” Emmeline echoed.

“You basically make star maps out of all your clues.”

Emmeline studied how she’d carefully pinned each piece of information into place, threads stretching between them like she was building constellations. Satisfaction spread through her at that depiction.

Lola squinted at the details of the murders, absorbing everything. “So, this is how you’re going to clear my brother’s name?”

“Well, this is the information that’s going to help me figure out why Dryvius did this, and hopefully that will help us convince Rocarri and the powers that be that Roremar isn’t a threat to anyone.”

The goal felt like climbing a rocky mountain trail in the dark: One wrong step would send them tumbling down. But Emmeline clung to the part of her that couldn’t envision a future without Roremar alive and safe.

“What if he’s trying to find Selene?” Myrella suggested, eyes on the Warder information.

“That’s possible,” Emmeline said.

“Why wouldn’t he be answering Roremar’s readings now, then?” Lola asked.

“Not to mention the fact that Roremar has never seen this information on the Warders of Selene. I figured it out after…” Emmeline sighed. “Dryvius wouldn’t have had access to anything about her.”

“Unless he already knew,” Myrella suggested.

“Could be,” Emmeline said.