Twin Crowns (Twin Crowns, #1)

by Catherine Doyle

Wren rolled her eyes. ‘You think your visions of Rose in Ortha are some kind of happy accident? Come on, Celeste. You’re smarter than that. Haven’t you been wondering why you’re so sensitive to Rathborne’s starcrests?’ Wren could tell by the horror on Celeste’s face that she had never even considered that a possibility. If Wren’s suspicions were true, then Celeste’s craft must be half buried in her bones, stifled by years of fear and denial. Now was clearly not a good time to prod her on the matter. Celeste gripped the edge of the bath. ‘Why are you doing this?’ ‘I have to save the witches from the Kingsbreath.’ ‘And you really think wrecking Rose’s marriage and stealing her crown is the only way to do that?’ ‘Yes,’ said Wren, evenly. And it’s not as if you even want the marriage to happen either. In case you hadn’t noticed, Rose is being tricked. The second she says “I do” to Ansel, she’ll be shipped off to Gevra, and this kingdom will remain under the control of Willem Rathborne.’ Celeste didn’t deny her concerns. ‘If you really cared about Rose, you wouldn’t have delivered her to the witches.’ ‘It’s the Gevrans you need to worry about.’ Wren stood up, sending rivulets of water everywhere. ‘But I can stop them, Celeste. I can stop all of this.’ ‘By trying to kill the Kingsbreath, you mean?’ Celeste shook her head in disbelief. ‘Are you out of your mind? That’s treason!’ Wren flashed her teeth. ‘Only a little.’