I touched the locket, frowning. ‘Who said he gave it to me?’
Camryn smirked. ‘What did he tell you? That he bought it?’
I shook my head. ‘It was his mother’s.’
Camryn laughed. ‘A lie.’
‘What?’
She smirked. ‘That didn’t belong to his mother. It belonged to Madeline.’
‘What?’
Camryn nodded, and I felt my head spin. ‘He stole it from her dresser after she died … as a keepsake. I was there when he took it. I kept watch to make sure he didn’t get caught.’
I looked down at the locket and turned it between my fingers, while Camryn continued talking.
‘He gave it to you so you would look just like her.’
‘You’re lying.’
‘Why would I lie about it?’ she smirked. ‘And how did I know he gave it to you in the first place?’
‘You’re just … jealous,’ I snapped.
‘Jealous?’ sneered Camryn. ‘Of You? Please … don’t make me laugh. I’m glad he chose you. I’ve known Jack for a long time. He always plays the good guy – the innocent one. The Healer. Truth be told, Jack is selfish, and ever since he left I’ve been able to move on with my life.’
Camryn opened the stall gate and stepped into view. When I saw her body, I gasped. Her stomach was protruding, and round. Usually slim from all the physical activity she did with the Pegasi, Camryn now had a small belly. It was unmistakably a baby-bump.
‘You’re pregnant?’ I gasped.
She nodded. ‘Four months.’
I gaped at her, unsure of what I should say. I wanted to ask so many questions, but Camryn was currently mad with me, and it was none of my business.
‘I spent years waiting for Jack to notice me,’ said Camryn. ‘Hoping he would eventually come around. Do you know how long I loved him? Since I was twelve, Avalon.’
I stared at her belly. I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
‘After he left, it became clear that I had to move on. So I did.’
‘Who … who is the father?’ I asked.
‘That,’ said Camryn, ‘is none of your business.’
It was odd, seeing Camryn moving on. After all, she was the same age as me, and here she was; pregnant. I felt like a child. I had done nothing but run for my life.
‘Look, Avalon, I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch, but I’ve spent the last few months furious with you.’
‘I understand,’ I said. It felt as though a thousand needles had pierced my heart. These past few weeks I’d been missing Jack terribly, and now Camryn tells me that this necklace had belonged to Madeline? But she was angry with me. Did that mean she had made it up?
‘So is it true?’ I asked. ‘What you said about Jack and the necklace?’
Camryn bit her lip and nodded. ‘Sorry.’
It was too much information to handle. My whole world shattered around my feet. I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. The only man I’d loved had lied to me, and I couldn’t even confront him about it.
‘So are you two together now, or what?’
I bit back the tears that stung my eyes. I was heartbroken, and furious with Jack. How could he give me something that had belonged to a dead girl?
‘Yes,’ I said, sniffing back the emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. ‘Well … we were.’
Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked out of the stables. My skin prickled as the hurt and embarrassment coursed through my veins, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I began to discharge fire.
Camryn called after me, but I ignored her and stormed towards the forest. The molten lava slid from my eyes and down my cheeks as I reached the tree line, where Fae stood. She could tell at once that something was wrong as she rushed to my side, her eyes wide.
‘What’s the matter with you?’ she asked, grabbing my shoulders. Immediately, she relinquished her hold on me, gasping in pain. Looking at her hands I saw they were bright red.
‘You burnt me!’ she gasped.
‘I’m sorry,’ I said thickly. Usually my temperature did not run so high when around Fae, as her Power of suppression was enough to dampen it. Now, however, my Power dominated Fae’s. Not only that, but my Power was dominating my emotions, too.
I walked straight to Hawthorne, throwing my leg over his back and hoisting myself up.
‘Nothing,’ I said, my voice breaking.
‘What did she do to you?’ Fae demanded. ‘Want me to go and have a word with her?’
‘No,’ I said, wiping away the tears. The lava fell onto my dress, but did not burn a hole through it. My father had been right; it was fireproof.
‘Then what is it?’ Fae pressed, looking up at me. ‘Did she say no to borrowing the Pegasi?’
‘No,’ I replied through gritted teeth. ‘I didn’t ask.’
‘Then what happened?’
I raised my hand to the locket around my neck and yanked it, snapping the chain. I thrust the jewellery at Fae.
‘Take this. I don’t want to see it again,’ I said to her.
Fae took the necklace, her eyes wide. ‘What’s gotten into you? You love this thing. You’re always touching it-’