I can’t tear my eyes away from Finn.
“Where were you?!” Daisy demands.
Oh, you know, just exploring the ancient magical cavern underneath the castle.
“With…Cygnus,” I say weakly. Panic courses through me as the room stares back at me, awaiting an explanation. There’s a beat where Dante leaps off Finn’s lap and scrambles up my skirts and into my arms, and I use it to construct a passable lie. “I needed help collecting an ingredient for the storehouse. I asked him to come with me.”
“For two days?” Damien cuts in. He meets my gaze, smirking.
“We were looking for a certain kind of…moonlily,” I continue, beginning to sweat under the scrutiny of so many eyes. “We had to go farther than I expected. A lot farther.”
Roburn’s expression is concerned. The other soldiers look like they don’t particularly care—Anna just looks annoyed that she’s been drawn away from her duties.
I can feel Finn’s stare on me like a blade against skin. When he finally speaks, it’s almost a whisper. “You were with Cygnus?”
“Yes.” Heat prickles up my neck as he frowns and looks away.
Is hejealous?
“Next time you go traipsing off for moonlilies, would it kill you to leave a note?” says Daisy, cutting over the moment. “We’ve been looking for you since last night!”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea anyone would notice I was gone.” I wearily appreciate her concern. Though it strikes me as odd that this many people would be looking for me—two princes, the captain of the guard, the hospital’s head of staff….
“Well, Miss Lyria, we will leave you to get cleaned up so you can go enjoy the festivities,” says Roburn, tipping his hat. “I’m very glad to know that you’re safe.”
The rest of the guards and Anna follow him out without giving me so much as another glance.
Damien continues that catlike smirk as he exits, looking like he caught a rat in his claws. “Yeah, we’re allthrilledyou got your moonlilies safely.”
Daisy grows cheerful as the room clears. “The good news is, you’ve still got plenty of time to get ready for the festival!”
I can’t tear my eyes away from Finn. He is still frowning, and he looks like he’s not sure what to do with his hands. Finally, he executes a curt little bow I’ve never seen before, not meeting my eyes.
“I’ll let you take it from here,” he says to Daisy. To me, he adds, “Glad you’re back.” Then he sweeps away before I have the chance to reply.
I’m left staring at the threshold.
“We’ve got to get you out of these clothes,” says Daisy. “Did you fall into a giant heap of dung somewhere?”
“Something like that.” I feel numb. Daisy catches me staring at the door.
“He’s been distraught. Just so you know,” she says smugly.
“What?” I ask.
“Ohhhh, yeah.” Daisy grins. “Wish you could have seen him last night. You could hear him screaming at the queen from halfway across the castle.”
“Finn was…screaming?” My hazy mind struggles to imagine this. The only time I’ve seen him lose his temper is the incident with Cygnus, and that was like lightning—white-hot rage, there one second and gone the next.
Daisy rolls her eyes. “Come on, Lyria, you’re notthatdense.He’s obsessed with you!”
I protest, “He’s—”
“Save it,” Daisy interrupts. “You’re driving me crazy. Pull your head out of the sand!”
“I can’t. It’s…” My hands are shaking as I unlace my boots. Gods, even if I could tell her everything, I wouldn’t know where to start. “It’s complicated.”
“Wait.” Daisy’s eyes widen. “It’s Cygnus, isn’t it? You werewithCygnus!”
