“Devourer? As inThe Devourer? You’re kidding me.” Irthrid’s brows jump into his hairline.
Jessamine acts quickly, slowly stroking his arm again. Her lips begin to slightly glow, her magic making them illuminate. Most magic can be seen from hands, but Jessamine’s is different in that regard. Perhaps it’s because her rarity is rumored to be from an ancient line of witches whereas most magic was gifted by the gods.
“Irthrid, there’s nothing to worry about, handsome. He’ll behave.” Jessamine’s green eyes could rival any other coloring, perhaps even the man who hasn’t stopped watching me in the corner.
“Take his manacles off.” I’m not sure who speaks the words, but I’m thankful to see them quickly unlatched.
Kassiel’s head turns, breaking our eye contact, watching the bands fall to the floor. He stoops to pick them up and gently places them on the tabletop, the clank heavy against the wood.
He stands there, with his back straightened, waiting.
Continuing my pacing, I walk between Irthrid and Kassiel.
“It’s easy, Irthrid. I just need you to tell us if The Devourer is lying.”
Irthrid’s throat bob before answering, “As you wish.”
“Devourer,” I begin, not wanting to reveal our intimacy just yet, “We will not condemn you this day. We just need some insight only you will have. What is your alliance with King Euron?”
Relief washes over his face and his shoulders relax, which in turn has me breathing easier.
“I am but a servant to King Euron.” I narrow my gaze on the man. Of course he would make this difficult, I can’t say that I blame him.
He stares at me expectantly. “Next question, Ms. Viren.” His smoky voice wraps around me, caressing me.
“I need you to explain exactly how you’re a servant to the king before we continue.” He’s not getting off this easily, even if he is enjoying this game of cat and mouse.
His brows rise up and he tilts his head. “Is that what you desire, little warrior?”
Gods. I can almost feel my eyes pop out of socket from how hard they roll.
“Kassiel, I’m not your enemy here.”
The words linger in the air and I suddenly feel self—conscious again, like the hardness I’ve pretended to harbor is chipping away.
“Shall I take over the questioning, Alora?” Helena’s soft voice comes from behind me, and I realize I was unaware of her moving closer to me.
She takes another step closer and whispers, just loud enough for me to hear, “I know you’ve had a long journey. If he has started to cloud your mind —”
Her words trail off as Kassiel interrupts.
“Alora will ask me the questions or I’ll answer none.”
Well then.
I turn to Helena and offer her a placating smile. She turns to him, cracking a slight grin.Good gods, she likes him.I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve witnessed Helena grin.
“As you wish, Devourer. She might be just as stubborn as yourself. She’s an admirable opponent.”
I like to think of Helena as everyone’s cranky elder, often cunning and sharp with tongue, but very proud of all her kinfolk. It’s reassuring to hear her speak of me this way.
Turning back to her seat, Helena moves past me, brushing my arm with her woolen coat.
Kassiel grins at me, delighting in the fact he’s won this feat.
“As you wish Kassiel,” I answer.
Jessamine sits down near Irthrid where he still stands looking at The Devourer. She rests her chin in her hands. I glance to the rest of the council and see that Leeson also looks bemused, her seriousness cracked by the dimple she works so hard to not show.
