“I get the freedom to do what I need to. The last thing that will help Rhea is me being locked in some dungeon while I wait for my body and my magic to figure their shit out. I have a plan.”
“You’re being vague, and I just want you to know that it didn’t get past me.”
He laughs, but the sound is sullen. “Nothing ever does.” Pushing away from the wall, he lays his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it gently. Though he seems in better spirits, I can see how he wears his exhaustion heavily, his eyes bloodshot and cheeks sunken. “I’m sorry we didn’t give you a heads up beforehand. It took everything just to warn our parents before the meeting. I’m only doing what I think is best in order to help bring Rhea home.”
I lay my hand over his, squeezing his fingers. “Are you alright, Nox?”
Even though his words bring a modicum of comfort, they also stir my unease. Nox is practiced at keeping secrets—he had to be for his mission in the Mortal Kingdom. This justfeelsdifferent, even if I can’t exactly pinpoint why. But if he says he’s got a plan, then I believe him. I just have to hope it doesn’t include anything reckless enough to endanger himself…again.
“I should go back in there,” he says, dropping his hand from my shoulder.
“Shit, wait!” I dig my hand in my pocket, fishing out Elora’s notes and handing them to him.
“What is this?”
“I think it may be proof of our mole.”
Chapter Sixty-Three: Bahira
Astormbashesthewindows outside Daje’s home, where I wait awkwardly with him and Elora for Nox and Cass to arrive. The latter keeps trying to catch my gaze, while the former is doing everything possible to avoid it. Not that I blame either of them. But I refuse to let Elora talk until Nox is here, which makes for tense silence considering she doesn’t knowwhyshe is here.
“You know, when you asked if I wanted to come over tonight, this is not exactly what I had in mind.”
I look over at her, taking in her outfit and how her unruly red waves are pinned up in a pretty updo, tight curls framing her face. She’s wearing a deep green corset, ribbons of the same color cinching her waist. It’s paired with a long khaki skirt, the fabric dusting the tops of her satin-slippered feet.
“What exactlywereyou hoping for?” I ask with an arched brow, right as Daje says, “I’m sorry. I had to be vague.” He rubs the back of his neck, glancing for the hundredth time to the door.
“Well, clearly, there was a miscommunication because unless you are about to suggest the most uncomfortable threesome I’ve ever been a part of, I’m thinking it’s time for me to go.”
“You can’t leave,” I tell her.
“What other threesomes have you been a part of?” Daje asks.
I roll my eyes and sink farther into his couch, kicking my feet up on the coffee table. I hear a single noise of protest come from Daje and grumble under my breath as I place my feet back on the wood floors. “Where the fuck is Nox?”
“Yes, where isHis Illustriousness? He hasn’t shown up in days to help us search for information on the Mirror, and I’m starting to feel like I’m the only one who actually gives a shit about bringing Rhea home.”
“If you care at all,” I counter.
Her jaw slackens as her eyes go wide, but before she can squeak out whatever protest is on her tongue, the door opens and Cass and Nox come barreling in, dripping all over Daje’s floor.
“Shit,” he sighs, running to gather a bundle of towels, two going to the floor and the others to my brother and friend.
“What took you so long?” I ask, moving to sit on the edge of the couch.
“Fucking Kallin,” Nox swears, dragging the towel over his face. “The bastard knows exactly when I’m not in the mood to speak with him, then ensures that he’s present at that moment.Between his and Galen’s hovering, I haven’t had a moment to justbreathe.” Huffing, he carefully places the wet towel on top of the one on the floor to catch the water dripping off of him. “I’ve been chosen to give the closing remarks for Father’s transfer of power ceremony.”
Everyone in the room cringes, except for Elora, who lets out an entirely animalistic sound. “What? Your father is stepping down?”
“He is,” Nox answers. “It will be announced in a few days.”
Elora’s hands fall to her lap, her nails digging into her palms. “And what, you’ll take his place?” she snarls, her intensity startling me as she stands. Her steps are measured carefully, though she doesn’t release the fists she formed. Daje attempts to block her path, but she pushes him out of the way until she’s right in front of Nox, her face twisted in anger. “You would dare make a move like that without Rhea?”
“You don’t know what you’re—” My words are halted when Nox holds his hand out.
Elora’s eyes widen, the whites of them fully visible. “Does this have to do with Haylee? And what she offered her?”
Daje leans forward. “Wait, what did she offer her?”
