Susan nodded to the guards and Morgan followed close behind her as they entered a large and stately dining room. The long table stretched across the expanse of the room and there were many folk already taking their seats. A few looked up as Morgan and her companions entered, but she immediately put her head down to avoid eye contact.
The woman, Kyla, who had helped her find Avery, came over with an intimidating red-head. He had to be the tallest fae in the room and his body was ripped with corded muscles. The fur tattoo—no, essence—moved slowly under his skin. The sight of it sent a chill down Morgan’s back. She felt herself growing clammy as she watched the towering man approach them.
“Morgan!” Kyla exclaimed. “It’s so nice to see you again. I wanted you to meet my mate, Garnel.”
Just being close to this man made Morgan want to scream and run from the room. He was too much like her attacker, and as she looked around the room, she saw there were dozens of men similar looking to the monster who had hurt her so badly. Morgan couldn’t stop herself from shaking as Kyla put a reassuring hand on her arm. She saw Kyla mumble something tothe enormous man, and he backed away slowly, turning to talk to a woman who resembled a fish out of water.
Kyla led Morgan to a spacious balcony just past soft, billowy curtains. “Morgan, I’m an empath. I can feel your emotions, and right now I can feel your fear. You don’t have to return to that room. I can help you back to your bedroom if you prefer it, or I can help soothe the fear. I can give you some of my essence and change the feelings you are having. But only if you want that. It’s your choice, Morgan, but I know this must be very frightening and overwhelming for you to be in a room with so many fae.”
Morgan’s breathing was still too quick—her heartbeat still too rapid—as she thought through her options. She didn’t want to look weak in front of these monsters. Not after she’d already shot one of them. “I can’t leave yet. Where’s Avery?”
“She and my brother are sitting at the head of the table with King Rylo. Should I get her for you?”
Morgan knew Savine was leaving later tonight. Avery hadn’t waited for her before coming to dinner, and she didn’t want to bother her now. “No. You said you can remove the fear? How? What can you make me feel instead?”
“I can help you feel calm, happy, brave, whatever you need to get through the night,” Kyla said.
Morgan nodded. She wanted to rid herself of the fear that was coursing through her. “Give me courage and confidence. If I’m getting thrown into a pit of wolves, at least arm me with the courage to make it through this meal.”
Kyla smiled, showing remarkably white teeth for someone without access to modern dentistry. “Excellent choice. Take a deep breath with me.” She laid her hands on Morgan’s shoulders and the fear, uncertainty, and pain she’d been experiencing vanished. She felt stronger and more willing to face the room filled with monsters.
Morgan sighed with relief. “That feels good. Thank you, Kyla.” As she spoke, she saw Avery pass through the sheer curtains.
“Kyla, please don’t do it!” Avery said as she tugged Morgan from Kyla’s grasp.
Morgan flinched. “You know she can change a person’s emotions?”
“Yeah, it’s wrong that she does it without asking.” Avery turned to Kyla and snapped, “Kyla, you can’t change someone’s emotions without their consent.” She actually looked angry at Kyla. Morgan noticed the sparkling emeralds that adorned her sister’s neck and ears.
Morgan stuck out her hand, touching her sister’s wrist. “It’s okay, Avery. She asked me if I wanted her to change my emotions and I agreed. I feel better this way.”
Avery frowned. “Are you sure you’re okay with it?”
“Yeah, I didn’t want to spend this dinner feeling terrified.” Morgan shrugged and looked into the room. Most of the guests had found their places at the table.
“Okay. As long as it’s whatyouwant.” Avery turned her attention to Kyla. “I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions, Kyla. That was wrong of me.”
Kyla just shook her head. “It was me who was wrong that time. I know I’ve had to earn your trust back, but I won’t do it again.”
“Alright then. Let’s get this dinner over with,” Avery said as she walked toward the dining room. “Morgan, you’re with me. Remember what I said?Do noteat or drink something from someone you don’t trust. We can lie, but they can’t. However, when one of them directly feeds us or gives us something to drink, they can control what we say. It’s like a compulsion or something. You’ll be forced to answer their questions.”
How would she miss a detail like that? Morgan was already dreading how she’d eat since Avery shared that information. “I didn’t forget.”
Avery gave a tiny nod. “I’ll put food on your plate and Savine will be serving me. Even the servants giving us the food could potentially force us to confess things. Savine won’t force anything unwanted on me and I’ll just pass some food from my plate to yours. Rue is giving Susan her food.”
They slid into their seats, Avery next to Savine and Morgan next to a pale, slight built man with white hair and the greenest eyes she’d ever seen.
The man said, “What an honor to be placed next to you, Morgan.” She was sure he was being sarcastic, but couldn’t detect sarcasm in his tone. “We wouldn’t be gathered here without your quick work. I’m Raikin.”
“Thank you? The former king was my first gunshot victim, but maybe not the last here.”
Raikin gave her a sinister grin, showing his white teeth. “You may be more useful than any of us realize.”
Now it was Morgan’s turn to smile. The sensation tugged at the tight skin around her healing scars. “Well, I don’t plan to be useless here. That’s not in my nature.”
At that moment, Avery poured Morgan a glass of dark crimson wine and placed a bit of food on her plate. “Would you like more?” Avery asked.
Morgan shook her head and sipped at the wine. At the head of the table sat the Sun King, Rylo. His wings were draped across his low back chair, relaxed and gleaming gold. She hadn’t paid close attention to him the other night, but now she noticed the slight golden glint to his face, almost like he wore makeup. It seemed to fade then grow more distinct as he talked with Savine, like the glow was coming in waves. He was, without question, the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.
