His gaze sharpened. “I wonder what the little old Bavadrin makes of all of this. After all, if we believe Clause’s story, then the Seer’s gift is definitely from the Spirit of the dark.”
“Edda has been keeping to herself a lot this week. I do not know what she makes of any of this mess.” That was another irritation. The woman who helped raise Ariana had withdrawn. I expected her involvement in everything, whether or not desired. Instead, she offered little to no input.
Iver pushed off the tree. “And isn’t that peculiar of the Seer? To retreat at a time like this.” I had to agree with my younger brother there.
Footsteps drew my attention as Willis walked through the forest towards us. Iver’s gaze drifted to him as he nodded in greeting before turning to me. “Well, I better get back to training this lot if we are to have any hopes of fighting theSidhe.” My brother then quickly returned to torturing the Bavadrins with his conjuring jabs.
“How are they doing?” Willis nodded towards Iver and the men.
“Improving, but slowly,” I commented, turning toward him. “How is she?”
Willis exhaled heavily. “If there was anything wrong, I would tell you.” His gaze met mine, and something softened in his eyes. “But I suppose that doesn’t help someone in your position when it comes to her.”
He came up next to me, his attention moving to Iver while he gave a brief update. “The Sidhe party went well last night. Ariana has Clause’s favor. Somehow, she is maintaining it despite constantly pushing the boundaries.” There was a slight disapproval in his tone as if he wished she would soften her approach with the Sidhe King.
“Did she learn anything new?” I asked.
“She learned about Clause’s family a bit more. He’s had a dark upbringing. I think he feels he can relate to Ariana in that way. It is something that plays to her advantage. She also continues to gain the trust and favor of more of the help.” Though he said nothing negative, a frown pulled at his lips. There was something he did not seem to like.
I nodded. “If everyone in that city is a conjuror, then even the servants could be of use if they choose to stand with her when it all comes tumbling down.”
Willis turned to me. “Shay continues to search for a way into the city, but walls made of mountain seal it tight. She could not find any openings yet. Other than marching through the front door, there has been no secret entrance.”
I frowned. Hoping Shay would have found a weakness by now, but the capitol was a fortress. My frustration deepened asmy thoughts shifted back to her, and an unsettling feeling crept through me.
Willis had frowned just moments ago. Why?
“At this party…” My voice came out measured, though my pulse quickened. “Was she forced to dance with him?”
Willis studied me for a heartbeat, his silence thick with hesitation. Then, finally, he spoke. “Several asked her to dance. She denied all but two.” His eyes met mine. “One, a servant boy. The other, the Sidhe King.”
A slow, controlled breath filled my lungs, but it did nothing to temper the heat rising within me. “I take it he was respectful?” The words were even, but I felt the fire licking at my veins, the burn of something I did not want to name.
If Clause wished to befriend her, hemusthave been respectful. Hemusthave kept his distance. But that knowledge did nothing to quell the fury curling inside me at the thought of his hands on her, pulling her close, holding her.Ashes. The fire inmyveins scorched.
Willis’s attention drifted over my face, as if considering what to say. “Clause favors her, and I believe he wishes for her to favor him in return. So, yes… he was respectful.”
The answer should have been reassuring. But the way Willis delivered it—too smooth, too calculated—put me on edge. Beneath his steady tone, tension rippled through him, stiffening his posture. He was uncomfortable. And he was watching me, as if bracing for my reaction.
A cold dread slid down my spine.
My body went rigid. “What are you not telling me?”
Willis hesitated, just for a moment. Then, finally?—
“The Sidhe King did, however, try to kiss her.”
15
ARIANA
Nerves prickled my skin as I stood there, just outside the room that housed the party.
Olive fretted over my hair while we waited. She had re-done the stones that were braided and looped into the left side of my head, while the right hung freely with loose curls.
“For not growing up as a Bavadrin, you are quite skilled at this,” I commented as her fingers did a last check of the work on my wild mane.
Olive smiled. “I never back down from a challenge of design, whether it be a gown or something else.” Suddenly she straightened as if she heard something that I did not. Large, warm eyes turned to me as she practically bounced on her toes. “It’s time!” She spun me around and gently pushed me through a door.
