“Is that who you know me to be?”
“Outside of this realm, it’s what the whole world thinks of you.”
“I am not interested in what others think. Only you.” He stepped back and inclined his head. His movements stiff. “Thank you for your honesty. That is all I needed to hear, my lady.”
“Wrath, wait. I—”
He vanished in a glittering cloud of smoke.
THIRTY-FOUR
“I’m sorry,” I whispered to the empty room. Smoke hung in the air several long moments after Wrath left. I stared at it, eyes burning, wishing I could cast a spell to reverse time. It would be so much easier to simply forget what had happened. Or, better yet, forget the truth of his name. His title. And the way my heart ached at the thought of any or everything between us being part of some larger game.
I leaned a hip against a table, surveying the mess on the floor. It seemed a fitting metaphor of my life. Each time I thought I was closing in on the truth surrounding my twin’s murder, something new got added to the heap, distracting me with more trash to pick through.
Thanks to the curse being sentient and having an active role in keeping its secrets, it was nearly impossible to fit the puzzle pieces together.
An old worry crept back in. I’d started to think I’d been experiencing forgotten memories, usually after or during some romantic encounters with Wrath.
If I wasn’t the consort, was I the First Witch? I’d been almost convinced the Matron of Curses and Poisons was the First Witch, but now that seemed less likely. I couldn’t imagine Wrath keeping her around, knowing that she’d stolen his wings.
Was locating the First Witch the true reason behind the murders? It would make sense for someone to try and find her and make her pay for all she’d stolen. And if every prince of Hell lost their wings, or something as precious, then it could be any one of them.
If I was the First Witch, it would also make sense why Wrath had hated me the night I’d summoned him. He’d called me a creature then, swearing he’d never be tempted by me when I’d mistakenly believed demon bargains were sealed with addictive kisses.
“Congratulations, Emilia,” I scoffed. “You have fully given into madness. And paranoia.”
Speaking out loud to myself wasn’t helping to soothe worries of growing madness. I almost cackled at the thought. Maybe I was losing all sense of reality.
Perhaps there was a tonic I could take to rid all memories and foolish thoughts from my mind. Wipe the slate clean and begin anew.
I snorted. It was preposterous and… and entirely possible. There was someone in this castle who was gifted with creating tonics and tinctures. Someone who just might possess the skills needed to break any curse placed on me. First Witch or not, I could use her help.
I hurried to visit the Matron of Curses and Poisons, praying to every goddess I could think of that she would be in her tower.
“Daughter of the Moon.” Celestia gave me a bemused look as I rushed past her and motioned for her to close the door. “What brings you here?”
“Do you know who I am?”
It was hard to tell if her hesitation was out of concern for my well-being, or if she was treading carefully around the truth. “Yes, my lady.”
“Not my courtesy title. Have we met before?”
Now her perusal was sharper. “Have you ingested something peculiar?”
“No.” I walked in an agitated circle. “I experienced some memories that didn’t seem to belong to me at first. Now I’m not so sure. Is there a tonic you can give me? Something to detect a curse or break it?”
“Sit.” She glided over to the little table and stools she used to work. I followed and perched on the edge, knee bouncing. “Give me your hands.” I leaned over the table and did as she asked. “Sometimes forgetting can be a gift.”
I wrapped my hands around hers, thumbs resting on her wrists. “Do you speak from experience?”
“I speak as one who wishes for such a present.”
“Am I the First Witch?”
Celestia’s expression softened. “No, child.”
“Are you?”
“No.”
I released her hands and sat back. Her pulse hadn’t ticked faster for either of my questions. “I admit I’m only marginally relieved. The more I learn of her, the more she doesn’t sound like the hero of our fables.”
“Every villain thinks themselves the hero. And vice versa. In truth, there’s a little villain and hero in each of us. Depending on the circumstances.”
I glanced around the circular chamber, my attention pausing on the carved skull. “I’ve been trying to solve a riddle. About a key that doesn’t necessarily open a lock. And seven stars and sins, and the angel of death.”
“You seek the Temptation Key.” Celestia heaved a great sigh. “I can tell you this, Daughter of the Moon, you have already found it.” I whipped my attention back to her. “If I were you, I would reconsider. Once you march down this path, there is no returning from it.”
“Whoever killed my twin should have thought of that.” I stood. “Is the Temptation Key here, in House Wrath?”
“It is dangerous. Divine objects… they are not to be taken lightly.”
“But it is here.”
Celestia pressed her lips together. It was enough confirmation for me. I thought back to my conversation with Envy, when I’d mistaken his ramblings for drunkenness the night we’d had truth wine. He’d mentioned not all keys appeared the way one typically thought they did.
Blood was the key to unlocking demon magic, for example. So with that in mind, there were no limits to what might actually unlock the Triple Moon Mirror. The Temptation Key might be an elixir, for all I knew. And yet… something toyed with the edges of my memory.
If Wrath had a divine object and wanted to keep it hidden, there was no safer place than in plain sight. Wrath made the obvious questionable, casting doubt. It was the same way he’d acted when I’d first called him Samael back in Palermo.
I doubted he’d keep the Temptation Key in his bedchambers. Which led me to believe the key was in one of two places. His personal library, or the weapons room.
I stood, ready to rush off and tear them both apart if I had to.
Celestia snagged the sleeve of my gown, halting my exit. “If you do this, prepare for consequences that will be out of your control.”
“Very little is in my control now, matron. The only thing that will change is I will finally know the truth.”
Celestia dropped my arm and stepped aside. I wasted no time racing to the weapons room. I’d half-feared Wrath would be there, working off excess emotions after our conversation. It was silent, empty. I hurried through each portion, running my hands over every gold design, searching for any secret compartment or object that might be a key.
I halted in the back of the room near the serpent mosaic. Like the first time I saw it, I swore there was something familiar about it… my mind raced, searching for a memory.
“Blood and bones.” I gripped the roots of my hair and gently tugged. “Think.”
I’d seen it before. I would bet whatever was left of my soul. If only I could—