Bend Her novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: The Seer's Tea

Gisborne came to my old room that night with a tray of tea.

He knocked first, as he always had.

I almost laughed.

"Go away," I said.

"You will want to hear this, Highness."

He set the tray on the table, poured two cups and sat in my chair.

Bess stood by the door with her arms folded.

"Leave us, girl," he said gently.

"No," said Bess.

"It's all right," I said. "Wait outside."

She went, and she did not shut the door all the way.

Gisborne stirred his tea.

"You asked about Ashfield today," he said. "That was brave and very foolish."

"Was it?"

"You nearly spoiled twelve years of work."

"Work."

"You were the most dangerous child ever born in this kingdom. I made you safe."

"You made me a prisoner."

"I made you a princess. They are not so different."

He smiled.

"You have your mother's temper. She would not take her tea either."

I did not touch the cup.

"Do you know what a seer is?" he asked.

"A man who tells the future."

"A man who is shown it, and cannot look away. When you were ten, I was shown one thing about you."

"What was it?"

"The woman he must protect will kill him. I did not know who the man was."

He sipped his tea.

"Then Rooke ran into that square and took your hand."

My stomach went cold.

"The prophecy," I said.

"It is the only one that has never failed."

"You want him dead."

"I want you whole. He holds twelve years of your power in his chest."

"And?"

"And he is the one man alive who could lift the sigil from you without my ring."

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