The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

would do anything for him. I don’t know when it changed for
us exactly, but we were both falling for each other long
before I knew that Hawke wasn’t his first name. None of that
changes how we got here—the lies or the betrayals. But we
are here now, and that’s what matters.”
Her throat worked on a swallow. “You’ve truly forgiven
him for that betrayal?”
I thought about that for a moment. “I think too much
value is given to forgiveness when it’s easier to forgive but
far harder to forget. That understanding and acceptance is
far more important than forgiving someone,” I said. “I
understand why he lied. That doesn’t mean I agree with it or
that it’s okay, but I have accepted it, and I’ve moved on.
We’ve moved on.”
She inclined her head, nodding. I had no idea if that
meant she believed me. Her internal pain overshadowed
anything else she may be feeling. Several moments passed.
“Do you think Malik lives?”
“Casteel believes that he does.”
Her gaze sharpened on me. “I asked if you believe Malik
lives. Not if my son believes it.”
I stiffened, glancing through the garden to where Kieran
stood with his back to us. “He…he has to be alive. Not
because I want him to be alive for Casteel and for your
family’s sake, but how else would my brother have
Ascended? We’re not entirely sure that they have another
Atlantian held captive,” I said, thinking of the unnamed and
faceless woman who could possibly be my birth mother.
“And Duchess Teerman claimed that Malik was. She wasn’t
the most trustworthy of sources, but I think she spoke the
truth. I just don’t…”
“What?” she prodded when I fell silent, sensing a small
measure of hope from her.
“I just don’t know what kind of…state he will be in.” I
twisted my fingers together in my lap, bracing myself for
the raw wave of pain that came from her. Tears pricked my