Scanning his face, I look for any signs of Ashent, the drug, the synthetic magic. The House of Reign may attribute his erratic behavior to him taking too much. In swapping the drug with fireplace ash, I fear the opposite: his withdrawal.
“Your thoughts, Avery.”
“I’m trying to discern a second meaning in your words.”
“What use do I have for many meanings?”
To prove you’re clever.
“To detect if I am clever,” I say.
He chuckles. The sound reverberates in the empty apartments.
“Do you enjoy my test?”
“I enjoyed the wine.”
He laughs again. “Then have another.”
But this is fae wine, and two glasses back-to-back have the room swaying.
“What’s the matter?” he asks, circling.
“Nothing, I—”
“Then drink.”
The situation is slipping sideways faster than I can grasp. I fill the goblet up to the top and force it down. Bile surges up my throat, and I swallow that, too. My belly bloats with alcohol and air. I don’t think I could fit another glass into my body if I wanted.
“Again,” he commands.
The goblet slips from my sweaty fingers, smashing at my feet, beads of glass nicking my ankles.
“It was an accident,” I gasp, blood roaring in my ears.
“Again.”
We watch each other.
Tipping the bottle back, I choke down the last of the effervescent liquid, my stomach roiling. I burp, wiping my mouth with my hand.
“Now put the bottle down.”
I crouch, placing the item among the shards. I realize my mistake too late. I lose my balance and fall—
Something yanks me up, hauling me away. A shoe kicks off, and I yelp as the king swings me into his arms.
“You don’t trust me?” he asks.
No, I don’t,I almost say, before shutting my mouth. I close my eyes. This was a mistake. A terrible mistake. How, even after everything, did I think I could manage this? Was it pride, or was it something more dangerous like hope?
“I want to,” I say, the half lie tasting just right.
He gives another laugh, moving away from the ring of broken glass. “I know,” he coos. “I know.”
The room whirls, and I will be sick if it doesn’t stop; I need anchoring, and the only option is to cling to him.
You are already king…Why—
