“It doesn’t matter!” Nox barks, a muscle pulsing at his jaw. “And it doesn’t have a damn thing to do with that.”
“Oh, well that’s just great, then,” she says, jabbing a finger in his chest. “So instead of rescuing her, you’re going toplay kinghere?”
“You should really stop talking before you say something stupid,” I retort, slipping into a space between my rage and my need to know what Elora did with the information she gathered on Rhea. “Morestupid, I mean.”
“No,youneed to stop acting like we don’t have someone we love in the hands of a monster!” Elora’s chest heaves, hereyes turning glassy as she looks back at Nox. “Tell me what ishappening!”
Nox shuts his eyes as he breathes deeply, composing himself before reaching into his pocket. “That’s why we are here,” he says in a voice much too gentle, but one that I can tell is sincere. “I promise I will tell you what I can, but first, can you please explain this?”
“What— These are from my notes on Rhea,” she says, unfolding the papers. Her gaze flicks back up to Nox. “What do you think you’re looking at?”
“That’s what we wanted to ask. We need to be sure,” he answers.
“Sure ofwhat? I told Rhea that I had attempted to look her up in the city she was from because I wanted to know if she had living family members she was unaware of.”
“Did you also tell her that you shared your findings with Councilman Arav?” I ask, the weight of everyone’s attention following.
“I never told him.” A line forms between her brows as her eyes dart to every other face in the room. “Is that what you all think? That I ratted Rhea out to the council?”
“None of us believed it—” Daje starts, but Elora shoots her hand out in my direction. “Okay,someof us believed that you might have done it, but only because Bahira doesn’t know you like the rest of us do.”
“Elora, Rhea told me that you knew about her not being from Santor and that you didn’t say a word untilshebrought things up with you. I believed her then, and I believe you now. But we had to make sure. When it comes to finding out who betrayed us, no one is presumed innocent.”
Cass steps forward, folding his arms over his chest. “I’ve seen the two of you interact enough to know that you wouldn’t intentionally hurt her.”
She catches his meaning, and her shoulders droop. “The council found out because of me?” Nox nods, and Elora backs up until her legs bump one of the chairs and sinks down into it. “If they found out, who else did? Is that why they were so insistent that you not marry her? Because they knew you were lying about where she was from?”
“I think so,” Nox answers, his anger evident in the way his tone drops.
“Do you think they are the ones who also gave her to King Dolian?” She asks the question out loud, but she aims it Daje’s direction.
He swallows and runs a hand over his head. “I don’t know. My father never mentioned anything about her being from the Mortal Kingdom or about King Dolian. If he or any of the council members knew, I have to hope that they wouldn’t stage a fake attack just to return her to him. Especially knowing that shemustbe mage if she can cross over the Spell.”
“Well, if their plan was for Haylee to marry Nox, then Rhea was just in the way. Why question anything when you can just return her to where she came from?” Elora counters, dropping her crumpled notes on the table.
“I will find whoever orchestrated working with King Dolian and ensure that they pay,” Nox says, pinning his gaze on Daje. “No matter who they are.”
Daje nods grimly.
“So, now that everything’s out in the open, what’s next?” Cass asks, taking a seat next to me and throwing his arm over the back of the couch. His clothing is still soaking wet from the rain, and a quick glance in Daje’s direction reveals he islessthan enthused about it. “Might as well take advantage of our covert meeting.”
I shoot Nox a look because noteverythingis out in the open, but he subtly shakes his head. Apparently, he’s set on Rhea being the one to break the news that she is our newest Void queen.
“What is the status of questioning the guards?” Nox asks, folding his arms over his chest.
“Daje and I have been carefully combing through the ones present the night of the ball, but it’s no easy task. Kallin has been relatively helpful in confirming which ones were there, but so far, our questioning about Daje’s attack hasn’t gone anywhere. Based on those we have questioned, I don’t think they were involved with anything nefarious concerning Rhea.”
“Again, I wonder if involving any council members atallis a good idea,” Elora says, the corners of her mouth downturned.
“We don’t exactly have a choice, especially now. My father has made sure that the council has eyes and ears everywhere.Ican’t even move through the palace without him knowing about it.”
“There are ways,” Nox says, a dark glint shining in his eyes before he blinks, and the look dissipates. “In any case, we continue looking for the moleandways to repair the Mirror. That’s still our biggest priority while I wait for my magic to return to its full strength.”
“I might be able to help with that last part. At least, I have an idea of something we might be able to try, based on my experiments in the Shifter Kingdom. I just need someone willing to have their blood mixed with yours.”
“Please tell me you aren’t considering messing with blood and magic,” Daje jests, planting his hands on the back of Elora’s chair.
“Fine. Then I won’t.”
