“I needed to ensure your silence on the subject. It was trouble enough that Daland and Devri knew, but neither of them had any reason to come anywhere near this place without you. And once you were out of the picture, it was unlikely anyone would even remember the caves’ existence.”
“Why?” Sienna repeated, closing her eyes. “Why go to all this trouble? It’s just music. Murder seems like a rather extreme option.”
Erik rose and began pacing the floor. Water was starting to lap at the entrance, reminding her that the tide was rising. “It’s not just music, Enna. This is so much more. The human realm has music with powers that we can only dream of. They can create chaos with a single chord, a spirit of discontent with a mere overture. The magic of their music is so powerful, even in their own realm a ballet was capable of causing a riot.”
She blinked at him. “And that’s what you want? Magic that can manipulate emotions? It’s been done before, Erik.”
“But not like this. Our feeble attempts are like wooden swords against cold, hard steel. Our composers are too limited, the laws too strict. Humans are under no such compunction. They have no qualms about experimenting and exploring the limits of what music can do.”
“What you’re describing doesn’t sound like music. It sounds like noise.”
“Perhaps to a good little fae with your sensibilities.” Erik wrinkled his nose at her in disdain. “But music is magic, and magic is power, and this is a power unlike anything we have before.”
Sienna’s wrists were growing raw from rubbing against the damp rope. The stubborn knots were not budging. “Let me guess, power is lucrative?”
He laughed gleefully. “Incredibly so. You would not believe the price that people are willing to pay to gain the upper hand. But more than mere riches—though I will admit those are compelling enough on their own—the real wealth comes in connection and influence. I have inside access to nearly every high-ranking family in all four courts.”
She read between the lines. “You have blackmail.”
“That’s such a nasty word. I prefer to think of it as insurance.”
“I can’t believe I ever thought you were marriage material.” Sienna shook her head.
“If it’s any consolation, the feeling was entirely mutual. You were a means to an end, nothing more.”
I can’t believe I was so blind, so enchanted by a handsome face and pretty manners that I missed everything hidden under the surface.
The words he spoke were the same words he had chosen when outing Casper. And yet, in comparing the two men side-by-side, Sienna could see just how different their attitudes had been.
Erik had never looked at her with even half the admiration she saw in Casper’s eyes. He concerned himself with her world only insofar as it impacted his. The elf knew how to use flowery words and charming smiles, but they were all false. Casper’s gruff responses and grumpy exterior might be a facade as well, but rather than hiding depravity, they were protecting a heart that had been battered and bruised. Erik expected others to serve him; Casper went above and beyond to serve his crew.
“You certainly know how to make a girl feel special,” she drawled.
“Don’t take it personally. In fact, you ended up costing me a lot more time and energy than I was prepared for.”
“I’m sorry my death didn’t go as planned.” She tilted her head. “Was it you those other times, as well? You obviously do not have a future as an assassin.”
His face curled into a snarl. “The Dutchman was a complication I did not foresee. He’s been a thorn in my side since the beginning. First, by going after my ships, then by pulling your father from his watery grave, and then by acting as your own personal guard dog.”
Every time she thought she had reached the bottom of his schemes, there was more. “Why hurt Papa? He’s never been a threat to you.”
“Ha. He’s nearly as much trouble as you are.”
“Wait. He knows about all of this?”
That would explain why he was so adamant that I stay away.
“He stumbled upon our little operation shortly after your ‘accident,’ but was thankfully more than willing to keep quiet about the whole thing so long as I kept my distance. I was already tired of the situation, and assumed correctly that the fear of something happening to you would be enough reason for him to keep you under control, so I broke off our engagement and all contact with him. It seemed like a nice, tidy end to the problem.” Erik pounded the cave wall angrily. “I should have known that with you, nothing would ever be that simple.
“I had a deal worked out with the previous lighthouse keeper. We had a system of signals that he would use to help guide ships to and from the caves. It was a setback when he died, but I was more than prepared to offer the same deal to whoever the new keeper might be. Then that pesky half-breed of a queen had to go and give the position toyou.
“Daland has been accommodating so long as he feels you might be threatened, but he’s gone fishing far too often to be entirely convenient. I filed the petition hoping thatsomeonein this Court would still retain the sense to do something aboutit. When it became clear that the queen’s bias was ordering the outcome of the situation, I decided that the next logical step was simply to remove you both. If only either of you would actuallydiewhen you’re supposed to.”
The waves were lapping at her feet now, and Sienna’s bravado was beginning to waver.
Almighty, help me. I need Casper. Or Jem, Orsomeone.
Erik looked down at his boots, as if surprised to see the water had come so far. “Well, as lovely as this chat has been, I’m afraid I must be going.”
