“It looked injured,” I said flatly.
“It was made of stone.”
“The light was bad.”
“He was twelve. He should have known.”
Riley was trying very hard not to laugh. She was failing.
“Don’t encourage him,” I told her, but there was no heat in my voice. I loved seeing her laugh. Even at my expense.
At some point, Thessa leaned close to Riley and murmured in her ear. Riley’s eyebrows shot up. She glanced at Vix’s now-empty chair, then at me. I couldn’t hear what Thessa said, but I had a horrible suspicion.
“What did you tell her?” I demanded.
Thessa shrugged innocently. “Just some helpful information about certain people.”
“Thessa.”
“What? She should know who to avoid.”
Riley was trying very hard not to grin. “So Vix has always wanted...”
“Don’t say it.”
“Always wanted...”
“Riley.”
“...you?”
I was going to murder my sister. Slowly. Painfully. As soon as Riley wasn’t looking.
“She’s delusional,” I said flatly. “I’ve never given her any encouragement. Never shown the slightest interest. She’s simply refused to accept reality.”
“So she’s been pining after you for years?”
“Obsessively, apparently,” Thessa supplied helpfully.
“I wouldn’t call it pining...” I started.
“She literally had a portrait commissioned of the two of you together,” Thessa continued. “Before you’d even spoken to her. It’s in her chambers. Very elaborate and detailed. Super creepy.”
Riley’s mouth fell open. “Are you serious?”
“Completely.”
“That’s... wow.”
“She’s a bitch,” Thessa said matter-of-factly. “Always has been. Uses her position on the council to make everyone’s life miserable. No one can stand her.”
“I noticed she wasn’t exactly welcoming.”
“The ‘how cute’ thing? That’s nothing. You should hear what she says when she thinks no one important is listening.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Thessa. Please stop.”
“Your mate should know what she’s dealing with.”
