“You cannot believe that you have true power just because you sit upon a throne and wear a crown,” said Ravena.

“Adrian treats me as his equal,” I said.

“You do not know the man you married,” she said. “Adrian sees a use for you just as he sees a use for everyone else he allows into his life. He just happens to fuck you.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my blade.

“You think Adrian wants to be free of Dis?” she asked. “What he really wants is to take her place.”

“What’s so wrong with being a god?” I asked.

“It’s not becoming one that’s the problem; it’s who has to die for him to get there.” She paused, and then said, “But you know he is dangerous. Or at least you did—he’s why you created the book.”

“You’re lying,” I said, but the shock of her words straightened my spine and I hated how truthful they felt.

She smiled and shook her head. “I am many things, but I have never been a liar, Yesenia.”

“Time changes people, Ravena,” I said, and I reared back and shoved the blade toward her, but unlike last time, the mirror only shattered under my blow.

Her laugh echoed in my room, and she was gone.

Twenty-Two

Isolde

I left my room for Adrian’s.

I did not wish to remain there, not after Ravena’s visit. Her words weighed heavily on my mind, most of all, what she had to say about Adrian.

You do not know the man you married…he’s why you created the book.

I could not remember it, could not imagine it, and I did not believe her.

Clutching the spell book tighter, I entered Adrian’s chambers, finding him sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands.

I halted, immediately concerned. “Are you all right?” I asked.

“Just a headache,” he said, but he did not look up.

I set my book on the table and crossed the room to the wash basin, where I soaked a cloth in cool water before bringing it to Adrian.

He looked up when I approached, squinting, and I pressed the cloth to his cheek and then his forehead.

“I am sorry you are unwell,” I said.

“It is no fault of yours,” he replied with a small smile. Then he tugged on my hand as he fell back against the bed, and I followed, landing atop him.

“Where have you been?” he asked.

“Looking for summoning spells.”

The air hung heavy between us, and I knew it was because I had things to tell him, but I did not want to add to his troubles.

I adjusted the cloth on his head. “I have never known you to have a headache.”