Book 2: Tell Everyone

Estrella

Queen Raven raises a slow hand to cover her face. King Kieran’s sharp mouth turns down slightly at the corners. My pulse beats a warning in my ears. I trust Anwen. I want to trust Anwen. The stories he tells make far more sense with the woman who found me at the top of the dungeon stairs. But with horror, disappointment, painted so starkly on their faces, I cannot think of anything but the stories Nessa told. Queen Raven as a bully, King Kieran as a heartless monster. They look like those people to me now.

Anwen squeezes my hand. I can feel his pulse against the inside of my wrist—steady, sure. He’s not scared.

I take a deep breath.

Mother steps around us, in front of me. I can no longer see King Kieran and Queen Raven.

“Does this”—she looks at our joined hands—“mean what I believe it means?”

For the first time in my life, I cannot read her face. That chills me to the core. When I told her the lie—half-lie—about Anwen bel