Lila’s blush deepens, and I close my mouth, trying to suppress the shock at my mistress’s soft words and kind tone. It is not the smooth, light voice of a well-bred female or the surly retorts of a demanding superior. It’s something else. It’s her true voice.
“Thank you for relaying these words,” Lila says.
“I have a favor to ask. Will you help keepmesane by keeping my dunce of an attendant in line? Perhaps some of your positive qualities could rub off on her, though miracles are rare these days.”
My mouth drops open again. “Mistress, I—”
She whirls on me. “He and I were supposed to have a date—byourselves—tonight. Yet here we are instead, playing a childhood game with Eli andmy brother. And the king wore my favorite color on him. Don’t give me that look—just because they’re slobbery dogs doesn’t mean I can’t occasionally admire the coat!”
“I didn’t say anything!” I protest. A lie.
Lila goes to apologize for me, but I shake my head. It’s not like that, not with Kassandra. To become a simpering fool would only anger her further. She wants a fight but can’t have it with the males around her, so the best target is a faerie who will not submit easily. The plane swirls in her direction, my skin prickling.
“Avery,” Kassandra warns.
“Act like it’s still a date,” I whisper.
The eddy of the plane slows, and my body sags with relief.
“Act like it’s a date,” I repeat. “Dominik may be repulsed by the flirtation, but he’ll be appeased that you’re pursuing the king. That way, he may not push so much anymore. He may even leave you alone.”
Briar returns, handing her a glass. Throwing her head back, Kassandra downs the entire drink, then wipes her mouth with her hand.
“Fine, but I’m winning.” She hesitates, eyeing me up and down, and a phantom hand squeezes my biceps. My heart jolts, but I don’t move as she remarks: “What are you, made of rocks now?”
“I’ve been exercising while at Reign, my lady.”
She wrinkles her nose. “Keep that to yourself.”
Without another word, Kassandra stomps away.
In her wake, Lila shifts. “Is it always like this?”
“Yes,” Briar and I reply.
“But…she values your opinion.”
“She called me a dunce,” I say.
“She’s still following your advice.” Lila nods.
Kassandra rejoins the males, reaching for the king, who takes her hand once more, cupping her palm as it grazes his cheek. Dominik makes a face. The king glances up, surveying the tent.
“High Fae and faeries! The game will begin when Lord Dominik’s attendants arrive.”
The Illusion heir glares at his sister from across their circle. Even by the king’s side, Kassandra stiffens. The king glances between the siblings, angling his shoulders to face Dominik directly.
“Is everything all right, brother?” he asks.
“I knew they would be late,” Dominik snorts.
“They’re children, are they not?”
Briar sucks in a breath. I follow her gaze to the servants’ entrance, which spits out two Unluckies, one tall and the other petite, ringed head to toe in debt. My mind registers his curls, his growing limbs, the wide and wild expression.
Benji.
My heart plummets, mouth drying out.
