Seven Courts of Love and Magic

Chapter 24

Zaria

I keep my gaze on the palace as I move forward, Nyx trailing behind me.

He catches up, keeping stride. "I'm sorry, okay? I messed up, I know I messed up, I—I always mess it up." He adds the last part like an afterthought.

I keep walking as I talk, my head forged forward, pushing my way into the palace. "It's fine, Nyx. We just have to find Bita." I keep my voice low.

"There—there she is." He points a finger down the corridor where Bita is rushing toward us. Her eyes are wide and locked on ours when she ushers us into an empty room.

Zaria grabs her shoulders, turning her around from the doors. "Bita, thank the Cauldron. Listen, we're in trouble."

"I know. I heard." She throws Nyx a withering look. "Breaking into a High Lord's study while he's working, are you crazy?"

Nyx and I share a nervous but confused look and I turn back towards Bita, speaking deliberately. "Listen, we need to get out of here. But first...I need—we need to get into your father's room. Please, don't ask, but...can you help us?"

She shakes her head. "You can't do that."

"Bita, please. You don't understand." My voice is laced with desperation.

She takes hold of my hands. "No, I mean, you don't have to do that." She lowers her voice to a whisper. "I know what you need."

I shake my head in more confusion. We don't have time for this. She grips my hands tighter, turning her palm over and unravelling a piece of cloth. The pink-orange sunstone orb is nestled in the center of her palm, wrapped in fabric.

My breath gets caught in my throat. "How did you—"

"Take it, Zaria. My dad, he's sick. I don't know why but I know that you do. You asked me about the orb in the cottage. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I've been trying to find it for you. Take it, please."

My voice falters, my mouth open in surprise, my hands are still cradled beneath Bita's. I raise trembling fingers, hovering them over the orb, remembering the price of handling it. "You trust me?"

Bita smiles, lighting up her eyes. "Of course I do. You're family." At the questioning look in my eyes she says, "Your mother is from the Dawn Court. That makes you family. I would love to meet her someday."

I sense Nyx bristle at my side. The world drops away around me. I see my mother's figure, silhouetted against the rising sun. She holds out her hand but I'm too far away—I can't reach her fingers. She's moving further and further away and I'm crying out for her but she only fades with each call of my voice.

A faint touch pulls me back and I look down to see Nyx's hand wrapped around my wrist. He's looking into my eyes, saying my name, but I only hear my mother's voice.

I turn back to Bita in a daze, tears brimming my eyes. I shake my head. "You can't."

Bita blinks. "Why not?"

"Because I killed her." I gasp, closing my fist around the orb and running out of the room. Nyx calls my name but I don't stop.