“Three.”
“Damn it, Lorelei—”
She lets out a frustrated grumble and lifts her hands toward me. “Fine.”
“Two.”
I dart from my hiding place.
“One.”
“I’m here. Let the prince go.”
Aspen whirls toward me, expression unreadable. He takes a step forward as if to stop me from approaching. I meet his gaze with a subtle shake of my head, hoping I can convey my meaning through the gesture.Do nothing, Aspen.His chest heaves with suppressed rage, but I can’t tell if it’s for me or Ustrin.
King Ustrin faces me with a feral grin. “The rumors are true after all.”
“Let. Him. Go.”
He waves his hands dismissively. “Once we’re done speaking, he’s all yours.” He nods at his guard, who takes a step away from the prince.
I cross my arms over my chest to keep them from shaking. “What do you want?”
His forked tongue flicks toward me. “I simply wanted to know what your intentions are. After I learned of your escape from imprisonment, I wanted to be sure you weren’t doing anything...unwise.”
“I didn’t escape from imprisonment,” I say, my words walking the blade’s edge between truth and lie. “The human council gave me permission to await my mother’s trial wherever I pleased.”
“So you chose Lunar? How quaint.”
I shrug.
“And you still plan on attending your mother’s trial?”
My mind races as I weigh the impact of my words. “I’m considering it.”
He hisses. “What is there to consider?”
“I want a bargain from you.”
He erupts with a violent laugh. “A bargain? From me?”
“It will serve us equally.”
“What terms do you offer?”
“I want my last days in Faerwyvae to be peaceful ones. That’s all I ask. I want you to promise that neither you nor any ally of the Council of Eleven Courts will engage the rebel alliance in violence so long as I remain on the Fair Isle.”
His slitted nostrils flare. “What do I get out of this promise?”
“In return, I promise to attend my mother’s trial and accept my exile without argument if the human council allows us to leave unharmed.”
“And that you will never return,” King Ustrin adds.
I swallow hard, preparing the words that could seal my fate. “In addition, I promise that once I leave the Fair Isle, I will never return.”
The Fire King’s expression shifts with a pleasant smile. “That’s all I ever wanted. For your grandfather’s ilk to be gone for good. You see, I am not a violent man. I could have you, your mother, and your sister executed, yet I am giving you this mercy.”
“Mercy indeed,” I say through my teeth.
