Ceren’s study looked different from the last time I’d seen it. Gone was the massive breathing apparatus he had created so Varenians could dive for pearls more efficiently. The long table in the middle was covered in small vials of dark red liquid. He must have been bleeding himself daily for weeks. All I had to do was sneak one of those vials into my sleeve. He couldn’t possibly miss it.

“That’s not all mine,” he said, and I wondered if my intentions were that obvious.

“Whose is it, then? I can’t imagine you have much of my blood left.”

“I’ve taken it from different sources. I’d like to understand why your blood has the power to heal, while mine needs...replenishment.” He bent over one of the vials. From what I could see, there was no obvious system of organization or labeling. Hopefully I’d be able to decipher which was his and not end up taking some random sample with me. “But the truth is, I can’t see any difference between my blood and bat blood.”

“Not everything in this world can be explained.”

His eyes flicked to mine. “I disagree. There is always an explanation. We just have to be wise enough to see it.”

“How do you explain the influence the mountain has on Ilarean royals?”

A shadow passed over his eyes as he straightened. “I can’t solve every mystery. Running a kingdom at war is fairly time consuming.”

“If you find it so tedious, perhaps you should give the throne to the rightful heir. You could spend the rest of your days tinkering in solitude.”

“Rightful heir...” He looked down at me with his crystalline eyes. “The founding rules of Ilara have not applied for quite some time. It may have been a queendom once, but for generations it has been the eldest son who inherits the throne. Why should that be any different now?”

“Because the kings of Ilara were killing off their infant daughters,” I said, my voice growing louder than I intended. “Why do you want to be king so badly, anyway? It won’t make people love you.”

He flinched as if struck, and I instantly wished I could take it back. Before, I would have been locked in my room—or worse—for speaking to him like that. I could see the bloodstones in his crown pulsating faster, in time with my own racing heart.

He stepped forward, catching me by surprise, and took my hand. “Do you feel that?” he asked, placing my fingertips at his throat. “How our hearts beat in time? How can that be?”

I pulled my hand free of his grasp. “You’re the one who insists there must be a scientific explanation. There are many who would simply call it magic.” I stepped away from him. “Take my blood. I’d rather get it over with than wait around, wondering when you’re going to do it.”

Ceren reached for a slim silver blade on a tray. “Do it yourself, then.”

I eyed him skeptically. “What?”

“I don’t get the sense it’s the pain you fear. It’s the loss of control.” He placed a silver bowl beneath my arm. “Now you’re the one with control.”

Hesitantly, I took the blade from him, sensing some kind of trap. He was being uncharacteristically patient, ignoring my insults and rudeness. If I cooperated and helped him study the blood bond, it would make it far easier to collect some of his blood later on.

I ran the blade along my forearm, deep enough to open a vein, and winced at the pain. I squeezed my fist, the blood dripping into the bowl below. I stopped when my head began to swim.

Ceren wiped away the excess blood with a soft cloth, revealing a wound already knitting together. “Thank you. I suppose I should have let you do it yourself in the first place. It involved far less struggling.”

I glared at him in response.

“What will you do with your day tomorrow?” he asked as he poured my blood into a glass vial. “Perhaps a visit to the library?”

It was true the library was the most pleasant room in New Castle, but that wasn’t saying much. “I was hoping you might let me see my father.”

Without hesitation, he put the vial of blood to his lips and drank. Something about seeing him do it, the way the blood stained the inside of his lips, so stark against his pale skin, made my head spin. I reached for a table to brace myself.

“Nor? Are you all right?” Ceren had always said my name with a Varenian accent, rolling the r on his tongue, and I hated how perfect the pronunciation was.

“Don’t pretend you care,” I spat, forcing myself to straighten. “If you want me to remain compliant, to give you my blood freely and without struggle, then let me see my father. I need to know he’s all right. Talia could attack New Castle at any moment, and if anything happens to me, this could be my last chance.”

“My brother would never allow that. Not when I have you as a hostage. Knowing him, he would surrender the entire kingdom for your safe return.”

That was probably true, but Talin wasn’t the one in charge. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”

“Very well. I’ll take you to see him tomorrow. I just want you to be aware, it may be...difficult for you.”

“Difficult?” I asked, incredulous. “Do you think any of this is easy for me? Do you think imagining my father’s suffering is any worse than seeing it?”

He turned away from me. “He isn’t suffering. No more than you were when you first came to New Castle.”

“You think I didn’t suffer when you brought me here?” I scoffed and headed for the door, then whirled back around. “This is why you’ll never be loved, Ceren. You don’t care about anyone but yourself.”

He towered above me, as fierce and pale as a windwhale. “And why should I? What has anyone ever done for me?”

“If that’s the way you approach every relationship in your life, always questioning what the other person can do for you, you will always be alone.”

His gray eyes bore into mine the way they did in my visions, and I watched as his expression shuttered. He reached behind me, unlatching the door. “I will take you to see your father tomorrow, after dinner. And, as a warning, it won’t just be the two of us. All the nobles are thrilled at the prospect of humiliating an infamous traitor.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Then imagine how excited they’ll be when you finally fall.”

I heard his low chuckle follow me into the hallway, as if he’d just won something.

28

I spent much of the next day pacing over the scattered carpets, still fuming from my conversation with Ceren. I had briefly considered visiting the library, but the watchful eyes of servants and nobles were everywhere, and I couldn’t stand their sneers and whispers. Eventually I collapsed onto the large bed, wishing the day would pass quickly so I could see Father.