Page 16 of For the Ghastly and Beautiful

I need to squash my frustrations before I take them out on anyone. Running my hand through my hair helps settle me, but not enough. I have to release this excess energy, or I’ll go mad.

“Absolutely, sweet girl,” she coos. “I checked on you yesterday, but I didn’t want to wake you while you were resting.”

“Yeah.” I nod and grimace. “The whole power thing really killed me.”

“I’ve never seen what you experienced,” she murmurs. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but that level of exchange wouldn’t have crossed my mind.”

Isolde ushers me out of the dining hall and toward the open doors of the palace. Rinya leaves her post against the wall to follow us, and I blink rapidly at my friend. I didn’t even see her there until I moved. She gives me a small shake of her head, so I turn my attention back to the queen as we pass the garden.

“You could have told me who I was supposed to be, who I am supposed to be.” I sigh, shaking my head as if I can erase the last two days.

“It wasn’t my place to tell you.”

Before I can get more than nine or ten steps away from her, she eats up the distance between us. When she’s back to my side, she pats my shoulder. I jerk away from her, frustrated beyond physical touch. I don’t want comfort.

“Would you have truly believed me if I had told you on day one? Or even day ten, Ada?”

She sounds pained, tired. Her voice settles my unease and makes me feel like a jackass at the same time. I wouldn’t have believed her. I still barely believe some of the things she’s explained to me.

“No.”

“What did Spiran tell you?” she cautiously asks.

“Oh, nothing. Aside from the fact that I’m your replacement, I’m also not mortal anymore.” I stop walking. “Are you immortal too?”

Isolde glances around the forest, and I dare say her behavior is shady. Rin is the only other Mongrel around. But I won’t disregard the queen’s vigilance. I don’t know who lurks in the shadows.

I lower my voice, keeping my words barely audible. “Spiran killed you, too?”

She nods.

“That means you’re immortal?”

“Yes, Ada. Having her kill you doesn’t always equal immortality, though.” She looses a single laugh. “How do you think I’ve been able to rule for so long?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think about it too hard. It’s beyond my earthly knowledge.”

Isolde links her arm into mine, steering us through the dense forest. The muscles in my forearm twitch at her touch, but we both ignore it. I have no reason to not trust her.

I’m just sick of all the secrets.

We’ve long passed the well-traveled footpaths and dancing daisies. She knows where we’re going, but so do I. The ocean calls to me, sings to my soul as if she’s a lonely siren seeking my company.

“You’ve been tense with me,” Isolde observes. “What else is on your mind?”

“How did you know my name?” I blurt.

I know I’ve asked it before. I can’t make it make sense, though.

“Asking how I knew your name isn’t the right question, sweet girl.”

Her smile is coy. This time, I let her see me roll my eyes. She’s evasive at all the wrong moments.

“Then what is?” I ask, exasperation seeping into my tone. “What will get a straight answer from you?”

“When you learn who you are—”

“I know who I am,” I harshly whisper.