My body was tense, my power ready to strike when I stepped further into the room. I let the door shut behind me and turned, finding Lady Ivara lounging on the chaise. Her rich skin and shapely body reminded me of the women in Renaissance paintings.
“It’s okay, I can explain,” Samian’s deep voice echoed.
“Explain what?” I asked, keeping my voice flat while I eyed the lord and lady. Their eyes widened for a second before quickly wiping the surprise from their faces. I hadn’t realized I had spoken that out loud, and I winced.
I looked back at Samian, the muscle in his jaw feathering. “Daelan,” he said, his voice tight.
Daelan sighed, but flicked his hand. A wave of power filled the room, but didn’t disappear. Whatever he had done, it was like it stuck to the walls, lingering until he decided to remove it.
Samian walked up to me, sensing my question about Daelan’s magic. “They’re on our side. Daelan’s magic controls air and can shield an area, blocking all sight and sound from others, so we are safe to speak out loud.”
I flicked my gaze to Daelan, carefully studying him. “Did anyone see you come here?”
Samian opened his mouth to speak, but I leveled him with an icy glare. His mouth shut, and I looked back to Daelan, waiting for him to respond.
“No, Ivara and I went to Samian’s room first, then we used the passageway that links your rooms to enter.” His face was reserved, but Ivara came up beside him, putting a calm hand on his shoulder.
“He speaks the truth. We know who Ambrose truly is. We didn’t want him to know that we were here.”
I raised my chin and looked back at Samian. “He is the new war general. Did he tell you that?”
Samian exhaled and ran his hand through his hair. “He did. He also told me that he is taking up residence in his old room.” The pointed tone in Samian’s voice had me on edge, and I glanced warily between them. Though when Samian playfully rolled his eyes, I relaxed a little.
Daelan laughed and sauntered toward me. He stretched out his hand, waiting for me to take it. My nose wrinkled, but I took it and watched with disdain as he brought my hand to his lips, pressing a light kiss as he had in the council room. Samian tensed beside me but held in the growl that I knew he was fighting to let loose.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sybil Hart,” Daelan drawled as I slipped my hand from his.
Ivara stepped up beside him and took my hand in hers before I could wipe away the lingering feel of the kiss, and gave it a firm shake. “My name is Lady Ivara Quinn, but you may call me Ivara or Ara, whichever pleases you. Though I do look forward to getting to know you better.” She flashed me a devilish grin and walked back to the chaise, her hips swaying with each step. Daelan followed, allowing Samian and me some space to talk.
“I thought you said not to trust anyone in the council room?” I asked quietly. The palms of my hands prickled, and in the corner of my eye, a shadow flickered near the door to my bedroom.
I ignored it, not wanting to alarm Samian. Throughout the meeting, that shadow lingered in the back, watching me. It stayed there, clinging to the shadows of the room's decorations. It never moved except for a ripple now and then. Until Ambrose attacked me, at least. It moved then, floating behind him, hovering over his shoulder like it wanted to see more. My hand moved on its own, covering my throat.
“Daelan likes to play pranks,” Samian joked, earning a snort from the lord and lady, but his gaze tracked my hand, his eyes growing dark. “Did he hurt you?”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” I whispered. “Just a warning to not allow anyone to touch me.” Samian reached for me, but I took a step back. Hurt flickered in his stare, but I looked away, moving further into the room to sit across from Daelan and Ivara. “So, Daelan controls the air, and you?” I asked her.
She studied the tension in my shoulders, moving her eyes down to my hands that were tightly clasped together. “Lion shapeshifter, descendant of a goddess from the old days that protected sacred places and dealt with those who did wrong. I can control fire, though it's different from Arianna’s foul, destructive flame. Mine protects and heals.” She opened her hand, and a golden flame flared above it. She twisted her hand, playing with the fire before letting it fade.
I released a breath, letting the tension fade away little by little. “And how did everyone meet?”
Daelan snorted again, but it was Samian who spoke for him. “We met during our school days. We had classes together, trained together, but we didn’t become friends until he trappedme in a room with some sprites. But he was always up to no good.”
Samian shot Daelan a glare, but Ivara laughed. “Except with the females. He was a silver-tongued rake toward us, never giving us a moment's peace. But I did save Samian’s ass from a prank or two.”
“She was always two steps ahead of everyone,” Daelan sighed, shaking his head. He looked…boyish then. I could imagine him and Samian arguing over whatever stunt he pulled with Ivara’s sultry laugh echoing in the background.
They all chuckled, the sound making my heart heavy. I felt like I was on the outside, looking in, watching everyone enjoy each other’s company, enjoying being in the moment. Yet all I could think about was not getting too close. How I needed to wrap my heart in a stone wall so high that when—if—that time came, it wouldn’t hurt as much to leave them.
My eyes burned, and I blinked, looking away to calm myself. When I finally looked back, Ivara was watching me, those deep eyes seeing more than I wanted them to. “So,” she purred. “What did the lords say after we left?”
I swallowed, surprise rippling through me. “What makes you think they stayed?”
Ivara’s gaze became sharp, and she grinned, showing off her sharp canines. I considered not telling them, waiting until Samian and I were alone, but when she cocked her head to the side, goosebumps pebbled along my arms and back. Her movements, the look in her eyes, they were so predator-like, and I spoke before I could even stop myself.
“They are planning to go to a town to ‘find’ rebels to add to the public execution. The lord with the thinning blond hair said his army is available for Ambrose to use. Ambrose will reward them with more land once he takes over the Seelie Court.” That sickening feeling returned, and the shadow rippled from thecorner of my eye. “We need to warn them,” I said, looking at Samian, hoping he would catch my meaning.
“What town?” Daelan asked. The boyishness in his features was gone entirely, replaced by the mask of a war general.
