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Chapter Six

Words flitted in and out of Thicket’s ears, nothing more than static to ruffle the numbness of her mind. On occasion, she felt the press of Marcellus’ stare or caught a glimpse of Bern’s forced smile, but couldn’t bring herself to return either.

Before she knew it, the meeting was adjourned. Around her, the Council members rose, breaking off into groups to continue their deliberations. Caspian was among them, sequestered in a corner with General Cales. Thicket remained seated, unable to do more than stare at her interlocked fingers and the raw, pink skin that had become the side of her thumb.

“Fadley,” General Cales said. The sound of Marcellus’ last name was enough to make Thicket stir. “A word.”

She angled her head, finally meeting Marcellus’ eyes. He held her gaze for a long moment, a message she couldn’t decipher etched into his dark eyes, before joining the General and Caspian.

The moment his back was turned, Thicket darted outside.

The warm afternoon air hit her face and invaded her lungs, weighing them down. She ducked into a nearby alleyway and pressed her back against the damp stone.

The entire plan depended on Thicket beating her sister. If she didn’t, their army would be decimated and Vindrya would be lost to Lavender’s control for good. But Thicket wasn’t certain she could win, not against someone who had dedicated their entire life to mastering magic—who had beaten Thicket once before when she had been at her best.

Not only that, but they expected Thicket to kill her. Kill. She couldn’t wrap her mind around the word. Since waking up, she had been surrounded by death. The animals, the fallen citizens and soldiers, her kiwi. She had even stood at the brink of death herself. But she couldn’t envision looking at the face who haunted her dreams and watching the life leave her eyes. Of being the one responsible. Of having that blood on her hands.

Thicket clawed at the fabric above her heart, as though she could pry off the weight slowly suffocating her. She sank to her knees, trying desperately to inhale.

You will never be enough.

Something brushed her leg. It was soft and featherlight. Thicket opened her eyes and two molten ones stared back. Thicket recoiled as the cat wound its tail along her leg.

“Y-you!”

The cat sat before her, tucking its paws in close as it purred, “Long time no see, Sleeping Princess.”

She gaped, disbelief warring with her brain. She had been convinced she would never see the cat again, not after she had chased it off for spying on her. Yet here it was, peering at her with those unblinking eyes.

A horrible feeling crept from the pit of her stomach. Had the cat somehow overheard their meeting? If it had and it shared their plan with Lavender, then their one and only advantage would be ruined.

“Do not worry, Sleeping Princess,” the cat said, drawing a paw across its tongue before sweeping it across the side of its face. “I am not here to expose your secrets.”

Thicket stiffened. The cat’s eyelids lowered, a little self-satisfied gesture that only reminded her of how dangerous it was.

After her first encounter with the cat, she had learned they had nine lives. After the end of each life, they were reborn at the exact time as their previous life but retained all of their memories, meaning they could relive it all over again, exploring new routes and learning the different outcomes of each and every life. They used this knowledge to tell people what fate awaited them. However, Lotta warned her that they had a habit of tricking humans by only revealing parts of the picture, which would ultimately lead them down a worse path than if they had refused.

The cat said it had seen nine lives already, which meant it had already lived through nine lifetimes. Seen nine different realities. Everything it said could have been a manipulation, shepherding her towards a fate that would best suit Lavender and leaving her helpless once again.

“Why should I trust you? You work for my sister.”

“I told you before,” the cat tucked its paws in tight. “My mistress is not who you think.”

Thicket’s brows furrowed. That was the second time the cat had said that. She hadn’t paid too much attention to it then, but now… she wondered if it was true.

If the cat wasn’t working for Lavender, then who? Another kingdom, perhaps? Could they be trusted?

Vindrya has been shut out from the world for a century. Finally being free is an adjustment that everyone will have to adapt to.

“Then why are you here?” Thicket demanded. “To offer me a glimpse into my future again?”

The cat’s molten eyes glittered. “Would you accept?”

Thicket hesitated. She had declined last time, but now with everything that happened, the temptation of knowing what fate awaited her was almost stronger than the risks.

Your efforts to stop the Soumort Princess are futile.

She needed something to give her an edge. To make up for her inadequacies.