Lilly frowned. “Did I just say that out loud?” It had become a bad habit, speaking out loud, and probably a sign that she had jumped on the crazy train.
“You did. According to Tenia, I don’t have a filter either so you’re in good company,” Myanin said, with a smile that Lilly figured the female thought would be comforting. It wasn’t.
“If you wish to defeat ones as old and as cunning as Alston and Ludcarab,” Myanin continued, “then you cannot sit around wishing for death. But I do understand what it feels like to be so heartbroken that death seems like a retreat. Now, however, we need you to fight.”
Lilly frowned.Okay, I am thoroughly confused. “You murdered one of your own elders.”
“I did,” Myanin replied, and Lilly heard true remorse in her tone and saw anguish in the djinn’s eyes.
Maybe not as cold-blooded as I thought?Lilly said,“You messed up the way Thadrick can record and see history.”
The djinn flinched at the mention of the male’s name. “I have. But I’m thinking that will be fixed soon.” There seemed to be knowledge in her eyes, as well as hope.
“You’ve been working for the Order.”
Myanin’s chin rose. “Not exactly.” Her tone was defiant, as if she wanted Lilly to challenge her. Lilly was not one to disappoint.
“Thadrick saw it.” Lilly narrowed her eyes on the two females.
“Appearances can be deceiving,” Myanin said.
“And what about you?” Lilly asked Tenia.
The fae glanced at Myanin, and Lilly saw her eyes held a question.
“I think you should tell her,” Myanin said.
Tenia seemed hesitant to share whatever it was the djinn wanted her to say but after a few heartbeats she spoke. “Alston has my young. He is using him to keep me in line.”
The wind rushed out of Lilly, though she didn’t drop her hands or the power held in them. “Okay, so you’re not awillingparticipant of their evil acts,” she said to the fae. “But what about you?” She turned back to Myanin. “What’s your reason?”
“That’s a bit of a longer story,” Myanin said.
“Well, tomorrow I’m expecting a visit from a temperamental high fae. If you’re still here by then, she is going to attack first and ask questions later. So, whatever you have to say better be good. From where I stand, you two still look like enemies.”
“If you know Thadrick, then you know the power of the djinn. I could level this entire castle if I wished, though poor Tenia here would likely go down with it. She’s been a most capable guide, leading me to all the cotton candy I could want. And I’m beginning to like her. I don’t have a lot of friends. It would be a shame to lose her.” Though the djinn tone was bland, there was true affection in her eyes when she glanced at Tenia. She did care for the fae, though she tried to remain aloof.
“Cotton candy?” Lilly wasn’t sure she heard the djinn correctly.
Tenia shook her head. “Don’t ask.”
“And so you know,” Myanin continued as if they hadn’t spoken, “even the great Perizada of the fae is no true threat to me. It would take more than one high fae to bring me down. Nor am I a threat to you, Queen Lilly. I’ve come to talk, not fight. The earlier demonstration was simply to determine if you were worth my time. Luckily, you responded appropriately.”
Lilly shrugged. The djinn wasn’t wrong. Why would they stand and have a conversation with her if they planned to kill her? Or maybe thatwasthe plan. To tell her their secrets because it didn’t matter since they were planning on killing her anyway.
“I give you my word, your highness,” Myanin said. “We will not hurt you.”
“Forgive me, but your word doesn’t exactly mean all that much,” Lilly huffed.
“Then I give youmyword on my son’s life.” Tenia sent a look to Myanin that made it clear she’d stab the djinn herself if she broke their promise.
Lilly stared at the pair for a moment longer and then willed the power away from her hands and the rest of her body. “Fine.” She crossed her arms in front of her and tried to look more like a queen and less like a tired middle-aged woman. It was a stretch, considering she was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. “If you didn’t come here to attack the warlocks on behalf of the Order, why did you come?”
“A couple of reasons,” Myanin said and then motioned to the chairs and couch. “May we sit?”
“Why not?” Lilly laughed. “My life isn’t enough of a mess already. Might as well add ‘hanging with the enemy’ to my resume.”
“I recently had a vision of you,” Myanin said as she took one of the empty chairs and Tenia the other.
