“Right. Well, enjoy.” His face is an emotionless mask as he turns back towards his office.
My feet are rooted to the spot.
When he realizes I haven’t moved, he leans against the doorframe. “I assume you were in the archives because of theprophecy? Niko told me what the witch said to you. If you need help figuring it out, I’m here.”
My eyebrows rise so high they may very well be in my hairline. Would someone trying to hide something offer to help? Maybe if they were trying to keep me from finding something.
“Could you help me get in touch with that young priestess? She may know about any prophecies.”
He immediately nods. “I’ll wisp her. It may take some convincing. Gaia wasn’t happy about the last time. I was thinking there may be something in the ancient archives,” he adds.
“I’ve been looking in the archives for days.” I tilt my head at him.
“The ancient archives are different. They have some of the more sacred accounts, more in-depth histories of Castara. I’ve been intending to go there myself to look into any history about the storms and the elemental lands. I could take you.”
Every fiber of my being wants to accept.“Thanks for the offer. I’ll let you know.”
“I know you think everyone is lying to you right now. I have no doubt that some are. But I’m not.I promise you, you can trust me, Nissa.”
It feels like his words wrap directly around my heart and squeeze, making it hard to breathe, much less respond. I give a tight nod before reluctantly turning away to hurry back down the hall.
Caspien is there when I round the corner, and he doesn’t seem happy to have been kept waiting. Arms folded across his chest, he’s scowling.
“Hi.” I try to smile through the pit forming in my stomach.
After a moment, he gives an answering smile. Dropping his intimidating stance, he leans forward and briefly brushes his lips across mine.
Ice fills every crevice of my being. The pit in my stomach turns into full blown nausea.
“Hi,” he says, still smiling down at me. Like he didn’t just kiss me for the first time, no matter how fleeting it was.
Still in shock, I let him grab my hand and pull me into a private dining room. He pulls out a chair for me, and I sink into it, regretting everything about this night already. But I know I have to pull it together and remember my goal. First, I need to feel him out, see if I get the sense that I can trust him. And second, I want to ask about the prophecy. See if he knows anything.
He takes the seat next to me, and I feel his hand on my thigh under the table. His touch feels wrong. The soft fabric of my dress is the only thing between him and my skin. Even with the thin barrier I feel naked, and all I want to do is cover up.
“You look beautiful in this dress,” he says, giving my leg a light squeeze.
Goosebumps cover me, and I shift away. Trying not to shudder, I take his hand and place it on top of the table. I summon a faint smile, hold it for a moment to avoid being completely obvious, give his fingers a gentle squeeze.
His mouth tightens, but he doesn’t call me out. I’m relieved when a servant interrupts, placing two elemental experiences in front of us.
“I hope it’s okay. I ordered you verdant dewdrops,” he says as he inhales the black smoke of his experience.
I lift the cupful of tiny glowing droplets to my lips. The rich taste of moss and honey fills my mouth, instantly calming me as it hits my tongue.
We spend the first course of the meal, a golden nectar bisque, discussing my lessons with his mother. The conversation moves smoothly, his charm and charisma clear as he focuses on me and my life since moving into the castle.
After we both finish the perfectly seared moonfish and spring root vegetables, I take advantage of the slight lull in the conversation. I sit up a little straighter. “How did your meeting with the council in Varethiel go?” I ask, steering the topic in the direction I want.
He takes a slow sip of his second elemental experience, a small flame-filled cup that smells of cinnamon and ginger. “It was uneventful until your return.”
I’m unsure if he’s referring to Cillian’s reaction to me or what happened on my tour of the city. But the one thing I do know is that the last thing I want to discuss is my relationship with his brother.
Summoning an encouraging smile, I muse, “I don’t suppose Aiden gave you a full confession the moment I left the room?”
“Considering the fact that he left with you, no.” His voice is flat
I shift in my seat.
