“The magic contained within that book is powerful enough, yes,” I said. “If that is what she intends, I do not know.”

He was quiet for a moment and when he spoke, it was as if he were confessing. “Sorin found the gravesite of High Coven yesterday. It was empty.”

Empty? I straightened at his words, confused. “But…we were burned.”

Adrian’s jaw tensed. “I took what was left of the bones and ash and buried them in a single grave,” he said. “I…couldn’t leave you unburied.”

I wanted to ask him why, but I didn’t. He had said the grave was empty, that someone had stolen what remained of my coven…of me.

“What if Ravena intends to resurrect High Coven?”

I shook my head, a thickness gathering in my throat, making it harder to breathe. Ravena had worked too hard to kill us only to bring us back. No. There was no reason to seek the remains of witches, save for one purpose—she wanted our magic.

I met Adrian’s gaze. “Take me to the grave.”

Seven

Isolde

Adrian did not question my need to see the grave.

I was not even certain why I needed to see it, only that I did. I knew it was not where we had died. It was only where we had rested the last two hundred years, and perhaps that was why, because every other place in this land reminded me of my death.

Nothing reminded me of peace.

I changed into boots and pulled on a heavy, fur-lined cloak before joining Adrian in the courtyard where he waited with Shadow. Though as I started to leave the castle, I found he was not alone but stood opposite Daroc.

I lingered in the shadow of the doorway and listened.

“Given yesterday’s attack, I do not think it wise to venture into the forest alone,” Daroc said, displeasure lacing his tone.

“Your concerns are noted, General,” Adrian replied.

“And yet you ignore me in favor of what? Pleasing your queen?”

“How is it that you manage to continuously express both concern and disdain for my wife, Daroc?”

“My concern is for your queen. My disdain is for you.”

Adrian smirked at his comment.

“If you wanted to play the role of a knight, then you should have come to her rescue during High Council.”

“Razan is an idiot,” Daroc said. “Arguing with him is a waste of time.”

“What a coincidence. This too feels like a waste of time.”

Even I felt the harshness of those words, and they were enough to convince Daroc to relent. The general turned and entered the castle, hesitating when he saw me. For a moment, I saw the pain burning in his eyes before he managed to call up his mask and harden his face. He continued past me, and I found that I could not breathe until he was out of sight.