There was a pause before he added, “You’re welcome.”
It took me a few moments to process this new information. I had countless questions about how such a thing was possible, but a more important question pushed its way to the forefront.
“But why?” I asked. “You don’t care about me. You told your father about my role in the assassination plot. You lied to me and seduced me to win my trust. You suggested a public execution. All to gain favor with the King and empower yourself.”
Even thinking about it now mortified me. I’d actually believed Pharis when he suggested we run away together and travel the world, when he said hehadto have me and hadn’t kissed or even thought of another woman since meeting me at the ball.
The infamous Prince of Tears had said alotof things during our long road trip together and during that brief moment of bliss when I’d thought perhaps he loved me and had chosen me above all else.
But there was so much Pharishadn’ttold me—that I was half-Elven, that Stellon’s wedding to Lady Glenna had been called off. That his brother still loved me and was searching for me.
That he was the Prince of Lies.
“Why not just let me die at the gallows?” I asked. “You were almost rid of me. You had everything you wanted.”
Pharis’ teeth flashed in a mischievous grin. “I wouldn’t sayeverything. I had my reasons… which I’ll share if and when it suits me.”
I knew those reasons, whatever they were, had nothing to do with actual concern for my well-being. Pharis had proved beyond question that he didn’t care about anyone but himself.
But I was getting a strange feeling.
I’d experienced it throughout my life, an odd tickling in my brain that was always followed by a certainknowingabout people, in particular about their fears.
Now that I knew the truth about my heritage, I suspected it might be my glamour gift, inherited from my mother’s side of the family tree. The Elven side.
At the moment, that knowing was telling me something about Pharis and these mysterious “reasons” he refused to share.
“You’re afraid for me to know the truth,” I said. “Why? What dastardly plan do you have up your sleeve now?”
One dark eyebrow raised in apparent amusement. “Dastardly? So you’ve cast me as the villain, have you?”
“Aren’t you one?” I shot back at him. “How else can I see things? You betrayed me. You betrayed your brother, who loved and trusted you. All so you could take his place as the heir to the throne. Was it worth it? I suppose you achieved your goal and found favor with the King. Is there a throne downstairs now for you, right next to your father’s?”
“Smart girl.” Pharis grinned. “You have it all figured out, don’t you?”
He was so smug, so arrogant. Just like he used to be before Stellon asked him to take me away from the palace and keep me safe.
Before we’d gotten to know each other and had developed what had felt—to me—like friendship.
And something more.
Stupid girlwas more accurate.
I’d been far too susceptible to his charms back then. No more.
Now I knew the depth of the darkness lurking beneath that beautiful surface of his.
“And how exactly did I get into this gown?” I demanded. “Did you take off my clothes while I was asleep?”
Pharis huffed a laugh. “Yes, Raewyn, I’m the vilest villain who ever lived. I undressed a mortally injured unconscious girl and ravished her.”
Sarcasm dripped from his words. So maybe it had been a ridiculous question. But he was still no hero.
“Speaking of that, how long was I unconscious? And is the King no longer after me? Or areyouhiding me inyourroom at Seaspire now?”
Pharis hesitated before answering my questions but finally spoke. His tone changed, becoming grim.
“It’s been three months since that morning in the arena.”
