Nereus blinked, looking alive for the first time. His eyes were wild. “We go for her now.”
“Hold up.” Kyla held up a hand. “You don’t know exactly where she is. The light fae will have guards everywhere, and they’ll especially be looking out for high-ranking dark fae like yourself.”
“She’s right,” a low voice said. We all turned.
Finvarra stood in the doorway.
Nereus’s expression crumpled, and Finvarra strode forward, slapping him on the back. “We will find her,” he said. “But I cannot allow someone as close to my throne as you are to enter Taraghlan’s realm.” He turned his attention to us. “I assume you have a plan.”
Kyla raised one eyebrow. “I thought you didn’t give a shit about the light fae.”
He gave her a sharp smile. “I was…angry when I spoke those words. I care about those who are loyal to me, and it appears this plot has been ongoing for some time. My people found the traitor bodyguard,” he announced to the room in general.
Nereus stared at him. “Is he…”
“Dead.” Finvarra nodded. “I did not kill him—I would have had him questioned for news of your…woman first. His cause of death is currently unknown.”
I shivered at how casually the unseelie king spoke of torture. Evie just eyed him, while Kyla was peering at her nails as if they were the most fascinating things she’d ever seen.
“Tell us everything you have learned,” Finvarra said.
Kyla glanced up, her eyes sparking at the order. But Evie shot her a look and told them everything. Including our information about “Becca.”
Nereus swayed on his feet. Finvarra led him to the closest chair and guided him into it. I watched them. It was clear that Finvarra actually cared about this guy.
“She was telling Ilayda I was going to kill her? And Ilayda believed her?”
I sighed. “She was already feeling vulnerable. We know she bought the gun before she met Becca. That means she was terrified by something or someone, and Becca was just twisting the knife.”
“When did she buy the gun?” Finvarra asked.
Evie glanced down at her notes. “February 4th.”
“Months ago,” Nereus muttered. “She’s been terrified for months. Terrified of me. I don’t understand.”
“Think carefully.” Kyla’s voice was soothing. “Did anything happen in winter that could have scared her?”
Nereus began to shake his head. A door opened, and both Favir and Hefeydd walked in. We all eyed them.
“What is wrong?” Favir asked, his face slowly draining of color. “Ilayda?”
I watched him closely, and I was aware of everyone else doing the same. It was the first time I’d heard him say her name.
Evie filled them in, and they were both silent.
“She was fearful for her life?” Favir asked.
“Yes,” Nereus said. “You have never liked Ilayda, Favir.” He slowly got to his feet. “What did you say to her to make her think I would harm her?”
Favir’s mouth dropped open, but I couldn’t be sure if it was true surprise or if he was faking it.
“You thinkImade her leave?” He let out a bitter laugh. “You believe I hate her?”
“It is the only thing that makes sense. She was terrified, and you refused to be in the same room with her, so great is your disdain.”
Favir clenched his fists. “I don’t disdain her. I’m in love with her. I adore her so much, seeing her is painful. Speaking her name cuts my mouth like a blade.”
I definitely had not seen that coming.
