Chapter 17

17

THESSA’S PRIVATE NOTES:

Thessa and Kellan, forever.

T hessa awoke to the jostling of keys.

When her cell door creaked open, she wondered if this was all a continuation of one bad dream. Amidst the darkness of her cell, she had no idea what time it was, or who had stepped inside.

A hand cupped over her mouth.

She tried to pry it off, until the familiar scent of cedar and smoke overcame her.

Kellan whispered, “Shh, they don’t know I’m in here.”

After a silent promise she wouldn’t scream, he removed his hand.

Kellan’s touch sent memories coursing through her, ones she’d happily relive in this depressing cell.

She sat up, observing the shadowed outline of the male she knew all too well. “All uniformed up, I see.”

He was one of them now , undergoing his mandatory training.

Kellan shook his head. “We don’t have much time, shift change is in thirty minutes.”

She didn’t know what he must think about her on this mucky floor, or that bucket of her urine in the far corner.

“How’d you get down here?” she asked.

“It’s my duty as a first-year to make sure the night guard stays awake. Incredibly low, I know, but because of it, I slipped a sedative in his tea.” He smiled brightly.

“Why would you do that?”

“I read your name on the seized list yesterday. I had to see you. You can’t tell anyone, or that I came in here … the cadets share information for rank.”

She wondered if he would share her information for rank. “So, you’re not helping me escape?”

“Thessa …”

“What’s going to happen?”

“The charges are serious, you know that. But you’re innocent, so the trial will be done soon and you’ll be dismissed.” He sounded so confident. But if he didn’t believe her charges, then good.

“I’m scared,” was all she managed to say.

Kellan brushed her face with the back of his hand. “I’m sorry they’ve treated you like this.”

Thessa leaned into his touch, craving some sort of connection in this lonely place. “It’s not your fault.”

His eyes trapped hers before she could look away. Lifting her chin with a single finger, he said, “Let me back in.”

She shook her head no, but the movement was slow and reluctant.

“Thessa.” Her name slipped off his tongue like a plea.

“You still have my heart Kellan, you’ve always had it.” She paused to breathe, changing her tone. “But you can’t expect?—”

His lips plunged into hers.

The satisfaction of his touch overshadowed her will to stop. She felt his longing in every press of his kiss. She’d missed how soft, yet needy his lips were.

When his fingertips trailed down her torso, a small sound escaped her. For a moment, she thought he was warming his hand magically. The heat was palpable enough to cut through her lust.

He’s an Elemental guard, and you’re a prisoner.

Thessa pulled away. “I’m not doing this.”

“I shouldn’t have,” he countered, and stood. His outline was more regal than usual in uniform. “I came to say I’m sorry. I should’ve said it before you left, and I didn’t.”

She was at a loss for words.

Thessa had needed an apology months ago, not now. What did he want from her? She had so many questions yet couldn’t seem to ask one.

He broke the silence. “Your trial is scheduled at first light. I wish you the luck of a thousand suns.”

And then he left.

The sound of the lock clicking into place pierced right through her heart.

Thessa touched her lips, now cold and full of hatred. How dare he kiss her, wish her luck, and then lock her back up. Not even the luck of a thousand suns could help her out of this.

A thousand suns.

Thessa wondered why that sounded so familiar.

A thousand suns .

She repeated it to herself , over and over, until it hit her. It reminded her of that damned voice .

I am the mother of thousands.

Her mind reeled in pieces from her past, remembering the dark deities from stories told to scare witchlings into behaving.

She wondered if the voice meant she was the mother of a thousand sons , as in the Oneiroi, and daughters, as in the Keres? The Oneiroi were keepers of nightmares, and the Keres were takers of life.

The same goddess mothered Thanatos, the god of death, and his brother Hypnos, the god of sleep … which would have made communicating through her dream a possibility.

I am always with you, and all those who share my blood.

The dark energy in her veins was no curse. The magic was not from Hekate’s bloodline, rather another.

Thessa gasped in realization.

Her mother was the goddess of night— Nyx .

Why the bloodline had diminished to demon status wasn’t at all surprising, given the stories of nightmares and death. Perhaps the magic had been so spoiled over the centuries, they’d all turned evil.

Then what did that make me?

Her dark thoughts were relieved as dim lighting returned in the corridor. It wasn’t long before a tray holding juice and a heel of bread made its way into her cell. It was better than oats, she supposed, and dug in.

After her meal, Thessa gathered her necklace. She wanted to breathe before the trial. She kept her eyes open this time, managing to settle her magic down when it begged to rise. It was the same method she’d used to steady her thoughts—when she didn’t have her blacksmith hammer.

However, learning to conjure and retract her magic didn’t mean she understood what it did. It wasn’t doing anything, and she certainly wasn’t going to ask it anymore questions .

The sounds of guards stomping through the corridor sent her skittering to her feet. Her magic dissipated the moment she’d lost focus.

Thessa patted her dress down, as if it would help press out the indentations, but her finger snagged on some fabric. She peered down to find five little holes along her waistline.

Her eyes popped in realization. Kellan had burned right through her dress. Embarrassed over her moment of weakness, she threw her cloak on and buttoned it up.

When the escort of soldiers retrieved her, Leora wasn’t in sight. Thessa was led out of the dungeons and through a maze of hallways until they approached a set of double doors.

She took a deep breath as they crossed the threshold of the Trial Room.