“Wait.” Audrey sat up straighter. “If Ilia is, well, out of the picture…” The question didn’t need to get finished, because we all knew what she was asking.
“Prince Drustan will obviously take the throne,” Sergei replied.
I let out a laugh, but it wasn’t a humorous one. “He’lllovethat.” The sarcasm in my voice was thick.
Hush gave me a funny look, a crinkle formed near her eyes, as if she was grinning at my retort. “You have a very accurate understanding of our prince.”
Audrey gave me a questioning look before speaking up, “Van has always been excellent at reading people.”
Hush lifted an eyebrow at Audrey, “And what does Van think about Prince Drustan?”
I popped my shoulders. “I think that he’ll reluctantly be king for a day before clawing his own eyes out. He’s not exactly looking for more responsibility.” Sergei released a low chuckle and shook his head, as if we were in on a secret.
“We still need the fae and nereids to understand what needs to happen, and what will happen after,” Sergei reminded us.
“I can talk to Liam and Ada.” Audrey nodded. She interlaced her fingers as she rested her elbows on her legs. “And once they’re on board, he’ll probably come with me to talk to Fergus and his parents.”
“We need to be expedient.” Hush leaned a hand on the desk and shifted her weight onto her hip. “I’ve tried to throw Ilia and the guard off our scent for years, but they’re becoming more andmore curious about these mountains. I’ve already had to go on several patrols, finding reasons to lead my unit away from here.”
Audrey nodded and pulled out her cell from this realm. “I can get in contact with Liam tonight.” Then she frowned, lifting the device in the air.
“You won’t have any signal for a fifteen-mile radius. The ancient magic of the mountains halts any signal from outside. Our electricity is produced from the water running through the aquifers underneath the mountains, making us completely off grid.” Sergei explained.
Audrey nodded. “Makes sense.”
“When do you think you’ll be back?” Hush asked, leaning her hip against the desk and crossing her arms.
Audrey tilted her head side to side before saying, “A day? Maybe two, depending on how it goes with the nereids. But they’ve felt a companionship with sirens better than the fae have. So hopefully Fergus can help us navigate the conversation sensitively with his parents, so it doesn’t go poorly.”
Hush nodded. “Alright.” Audrey stood, brushing her dark red hair behind her ears as we both walked toward the door. “What if Sergei goes with you?” Hush suggested.
I frowned. “No thanks.”
Sergei dared to look offended and asked, “Why not?”
“I’m still mad at you,” I explained.
Sergei looked confused, before it clicked for him, “Because of what happened on the boat?”
“Obviously. You and your buddy attacked me. I had nightmares about it,” I replied. Sergei shook his head at me.
“Leon is a sad excuse for a male,” he said. “We are not ‘buddies’ as you said.” I gave him a suspicious look, not budging on not inviting him with us.
“What if you go?” Audrey asked Hush. “Ada knows we have someone giving us information, acting as a double agent for Ilia. If you came with, it would make our case stronger.”
Hush considered, drumming her fingertips on the desktop.
“I’ll consider it as I walk you both out of here. Sergei, you will stay with the women and children, with the rest of your men.” Hush decided.
I laughed at him and gave him my middle finger. He smirked before murmuring, “I do apologize for terrorizing you that day. I hope you understand that I had no choice but to follow orders.”
He seemed so genuine, and all I felt like I could say in response was, “Thanks.”
Sergei dipped his chin at me before opening a side door hidden behind more maroon drapes, revealing another way out than the way we came.
“We must hurry,” Hush reiterated. “I don’t think Ilia is going to wait much longer before closing the gates or ordering more units to investigate this mountain.” The worry in her voice cut through me, and admiration for everything Hush had accomplished while also successfully being a double agent made me wish I could be her when I grew up.
We exited the Fjellenheim Mountains in silence. I wondered if Hush was giving us time to process everything that was discussed in her office. Once we all stepped outside, I inhaled a deep breath of mountain air through my nose.
