I didn't want to cover the next entry. Everyone knew I'd flown to Li Mountain to cope in isolation when Korac found me. I ended the relationship and returned to the stronghold. There I tended Celindria for days before she regained consciousness enough to address my questions.

I didn't like the answers.

Tameka asked, "How did she explain all of it to you?"

I stretched my neck and back, feeling tense. "Celindria told me Nox entertained proposals of enslaving humanity for their blood, and already harvested nacres for the Cruor Villam—A monstrosity I still abhor. That he expected Celindria to endure his public philandering and demanded she conceive an heir for him to usurp my inheritance to the throne—"

"You couldn't possibly believe her?" Korac's voiced dripped with venomous incredulity.

I didn't look at him. Instead, I wet my lips and tried to explain. "Understand me. When Celindria said, 'Nox is no better than your father,' I already thought the worst of him after he had you publicly masticate her."

Korac opened his mouth to say more, but Sagan touched his arm gently and asked, "What else was taking place?"

With a grateful nod at her, I said, "Remember, at this point, the Progeny were living their own lives." I gestured at the first Seamswalker. "T.a.o. traveled often, apparently sometimes with Korac. Andrius was married with grandchildren. Devis forged weapons and supplies for the settlement and the rebellion. Merit stayed with me and helped me nurse Celindria back to health. I believe because Celindria didn't view Merit as a threat that she treated her differently from the others, even when I wasn't around. We had a comfortable friendship, the three of us. Not long after the whipping, Merit and I began our romance." It was hard, but I pretended not to notice the faint wince in Korac's composed facade.

This wasn't a happy decade for him, either.

Sagan said, "This was the time of CoN, The Brethren, and Nox's council. But Xelan, you didn't stay neutral, right?"

I sighed, wishing to be elsewhere. "I worked with The Brethren to train humans and coordinate purchases for Devis' materials. Especially the Pretiosum Cruor. Lucas, spying as an Icarean captain, worked with me disguising supply chains as merchant caravans. Then Andrius disappeared. I'd assumed you'd fled at first, but I suspected..."

"You thought so little of Nox that you trusted he would harm the very person who warned him about Celindria in the first place?" Korac sounded incredulous. Sagan touched his shoulder, shaking her head, and he kissed her. "You're right. I'm sorry. Please go on, your imperial majesty."

Andrius interjected, "If I may?"

I tried for an apologetic smile. "Of course."

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He continued. "I came home after a day of hard work to find my home empty. Three generations lived in our residence, including two infants. They were all gone. When I stepped back outside, Celindria was waiting.

"'Come with me, and they can return home to carry on their lives without you. Defy me, and I will keep them.'

"I couldn't fathom it. 'Sister, why?'

"Celindria shook her head. 'We were never siblings. You have thirty seconds. What will it be?'

"We can all tell by my being here that I went with her and never saw my family again. The Brethren kept excellent records of the Progeny lineage. I've learned since my family prospered and led to you." Andrius gestured to Andrew, who beamed.

Devis cleared his throat before admitting a little uncomfortably, "My children were illegitimate, but successful, as The Brethren told me." Kyle toasted him, and Devis continued, "As we know, Celindria learned of me spying on her and Nox before she found me tampering with the Pretiosum Cruor. I meant to remove her blood from it and hand it over to The Brethren. It wasn't a pretty confrontation.

"'You dare defy me?'

"I'd held the device back, to keep it out of her reach, but I knew I'd lose. 'I'm protecting my people.'

"Celindria waved a finger at me. 'Know your place. You amount to nothing in the Cascade.'

"She knew how to wound me. Still, I said, 'Then the universe will pay no heed if I carry on with my work.'

"With a slight lilt of her lips, Celindria's smile transformed from menacing to seductive. She was so cruel to tempt me with what I wanted most. 'We were in love once, were we not, Devis?' She reached out to me, hips swaying with each step in my direction.

"I loved her. I suppose I still do. But I'd seen too much and knew her character was dishonorable. No. I wouldn't let her manipulate me anymore. And she'd take me. Probably kill me, but I'd get one shot in at least. 'I cannot recall. Perhaps you should ask Nox?'

"I think... for a moment I swear I saw her Atramentous, but... I wonder if she stole the memory from me. Never mind that. I woke up on a slab in her labs in New Cinder."

Atramentous.

Even I'd never seen Celindria's eyes transformed. I'd wondered if they even could.

There was no need to torture T.a.o. about how Celindria took her. Between the Verses, we could puzzle together that Celindria took her some time after the calamity on Thailea, where Celindria supposedly died.

"Superman, you're avoiding something." Your admonishment sounds so cute in the little voice.

You're right, Rayne. I can't believe we've already arrived at his part.

The preteen you, still resting in the makeshift bed I tucked you into, asks, "How do you feel about Nox's perspective?"

I'd hoped you wouldn't ask me that. Nox punched into my chest and took my nacre. His Verse poured regret like blood from my chest. It hurt, you know?

Little you nods, quietly.

Of course, you know. I'm sorry, but Merit died to save me.

In my study, I'd fallen quiet thinking this exact stream of thoughts. It's a spiral I can't escape. Yes, Nox regretted trying to kill me. But...

No.

No.

"I can't forgive my brother."