“Why?”
“I love her. With all that I am, Iloveher.”
Her eyes turn down at the corners, but her energy swarms with conflicting emotions. “You…you don’t know—”
“Don’t you dare tell me I don’t know what I’m feeling. I know my own heart and there’s nothing you can say that will change that.”
“We can’t go up against Saint Lazaro,” she says, voice firm. “Our alliance with them is tenuous.”
I shake my head. “It’s tenuous because you’ve given too much freedom to Brother Marus. You’ve allowed his ambitions to grow unchecked.”
“Are you questioning my judgment as queen?”
“Yes. Isn’t that what a future king would do? Shouldn’t your heir be bold enough to question the person he’ll be challenging to the throne? Shouldn’t I have thoughts of my own?”
She pauses, watching me. “If we go up against Saint Lazaro, we could spur on another rebellion. The Alpha Council will hold us responsible.”
She’s right about the Alpha Council. As the highest form of government in Faerwyvae—comprised of every king and queen on the isle—their support is integral. “We aren’t going up against Saint Lazaro. We aren’t threatening their religious freedom. We’re standing up to one man. Brother Marus. I’ll do it with or without you.”
Her jaw shifts side to side. “This could end in disaster. One we might have to fight our way out of.”
“When have you ever shied away from a fight? Besides, if our roles were reversed, and this were about Lorelei, I’d be fighting at your side without question. I’ve never asked for anything from you, but I’m asking now. I’m asking you to trust me.”
“I do trust you.”
“Then prove it.” I take a step back. “Or don’t. Either way, I’m going. It will be faster if you at least tell me where I might start looking.”
“Fine,” she says with a groan, her tone equal parts irritated and resigned. She closes her eyes and flicks her fingers one at a time, joints cracking, then rolls her neck. When she meets my gaze, there’s a devious glint in her eye, one I rarely see anymore. “Come, little brother. Let’s go stir some trouble.”
46
EMBER
Bound and gagged, I sit slumped to the side in the coach. Imogen and Clara are pressed in next to me, while Mrs. Coleman and Brother Marus sit on the opposite bench. She and Clara found us while Marus and Imogen escorted me through the palace. Apparently, my stepmother’s attempt to summon guards had been unsuccessful. Her look of indignation shifted quickly to delight when she saw me being hauled her way by Brother Marus. The smug curl of her lips was enough to make my blood boil. I tried to throw every curse her way, but with Marus’ cravat tied over my mouth, my words were nothing more than muffled sound.
Now I await my fate. Of course, that doesn’t mean I won’t go down without a fight. Even now, I discreetly shift my hands in my bindings, trying to slip my fingers free from the hose Imogen tied around them. My jaw clenches when I recall the dark pleasure in her eyes when Marus asked her to help him tie me up. Anger flares in my heart, and I channel that rage into my efforts. If there was ever a time to become incorporeal like my mother, now would be it. What I wouldn’t give to know how to take unseelie form…
From my periphery, a pair of eyes burn into me. I startle and meet Clara’s gaze, certain she’s discovered what I’m doing, but she isn’t watching my hands. She’s studying my face. There’s a strange look in her eyes, but I’m not sure what it means. Is it betrayal? Shame? She hasn’t said a word to me since the tale of my subterfuge was revealed.
“This really is the most unpleasant business,” Mrs. Coleman says with a huff. “Why couldn’t the queen have officiated the marriage at the palace? I thought you were supposed to be her favorite.”
Marus shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “She said she didn’t have time.”
Mrs. Coleman scoffs. “Well, she better have time when we return for Ember’s inheritance.” She glances at me with a look of disgust.
I scoff behind my gag.
She narrows her eyes. “Was that supposed to be a laugh?”
“She’s probably marveling at the cold irony of it all,” Imogen says. “After all the trouble she’s caused, she ended up losing far more than if she hadn’t pulled such a ruse to begin with.”
“You’re quite right, dear,” my stepmother says. “I doubt she’ll ever be welcomed at the palace again. I just hope her misdeeds don’t taint our reputation.”
“Was the prince upset?” I’m surprised to hear Clara speak up for the first time since we began our tense journey.
“Oh, I’m sure he was very upset,” Mrs. Coleman says. “What kind of man wouldn’t be devastated after discovering the woman he’s been courting was a fraud?”
My heart burns. I still don’t understand what happened. Why did Franco run from me after I told him who I am? Why did he let Marus take me?
