But I took a step back instead.
“I need to help my people.” That meant warning my father of the sirens waiting in the sea, forming their attack. Returning to my fate. Possibly marrying Cedric.
“Why? Why help any of them at all?” There was an edge to his voice.
“Why help Alistar? You could have left him to starve on the streets. He wasn’t your problem.”
“That’s different—”
“No, it’s not. You helped him because you know it’s not right to turn your back on those put in your path in need of saving. That is Oakhaven for me. They are my people.”
“They are your father’s people.”
I took another step back, running into the virginal. It hurt, but I couldn’t decipher why.
“Elowyn.” Morvyn was there at the top of the stairs, right on time. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
But Morvyn didn’t accept it, scowling at Arlo. “Hylos is waiting for you. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.” I turned from Arlo, leaving him. Angry at him for stating the simple truth. They weren’t technically my people. Oakhaven wasn’t mine. But my mother’s words still haunted my mind, repudiating what Arlo said.
“Elowyn, wait.” Arlo stepped forward, reaching for me, but Morvyn threw a hand and sang, and in a heartbeat Arlo was lulled and we left.
Chapter 28
“Absurd, isn’t it?” Morvyn said with a smirk as we stood at the entrance of Hylos’s bedchamber. “A ruler should have the finest bedchamber, I suppose. But this seems a bit overkill to me.”
The room was made of navy marble, so dark it was nearly black. It looked like if I set foot in the space, I would vanish into a void of night sky or sea. Its arched door stood three men tall, left carelessly open. Not a guard in sight. The most powerful siren in all three seas didn’t need bodyguards.
“Go on, have a seat, he’ll be here shortly,” Morvyn said, ushering me into the room and toward a seating area of plush, cerulean velvet chairs framed in—“That can’t be,” I exclaimed.
“Oh, but it is, my dear,” Morvyn answered, still smiling. “Pure gold.”
I looked around the room. Every flagrant decorative piece, crown molding, and ornate pillar was gilded.
I carefully sat on the overstuffed, opulent furniture, but strained my neck to see the main bedchamber through another grand entrance framed in swaths of dark-blue fabric. Likely they were used for privacy for Hylos and whoever joined him under that luscious, cobalt-blue counterpane that spilled off the massive bed.
“Does one person really need such a lavish room?” I asked.
“Like I said.Absurd.”
“Oh please,” Hylos scoffed from the threshold. “If you were king regent, your bedchambers would be a hundredfold more ostentatious, Morvyn.” Hylos clapped his friend’s pale, bare shoulder with a smile. “And the bed would be three times as big.”
“That is absolutely”—Morvyn feigned insult, then gave in—“correct.”
Hylos grinned. “I’d invite you to join us, but I believe you have dinner plans with your aunt and cousins.”
Morvyn rolled his pale eyes. “You mean you’re forcing me to dine with Elspeth against my will.”
“Exactly. You are my ambassador, Morvyn. I believe meeting with other High Circle leaders is in the official job description.”
“See, I justassumedthat title was more of a formality. You know, to keep me around for my wonderful wit and good looks.”
“I fear not.”
“Fine, fine. But Iwillrequest an increase in my wages come year’s end,” Morvyn said, then left the room.
