“That’s why it felt so real.”
“Yes,” Fiora said.
“Why Nevander couldn’t wake me.”
“Yes.”
“Why the initial attack felt so…violating.”
“Yes.”
I continued to pace, Fiora and Tarrin watching me. Myron left, presumably to inform Caius.
“And why the room was cold—why I got those marks again?”
“Yes.”
“Is Amos aware of it? Does he know what happened in the vision last night?”
“No. Unless he retrieves the wisp directly from you.”
“So he’s not controlling the visions?”
“Not consciously,no.”
I wasn’t sure if that made it better or worse.
“Can we have the meeting anywhere but here?” I barked, unable to bear my guest suite for another second.
“You’re in your robe still,” Fiora said gently.
“I don’t care. Five hundred people—damn it, fae,” I corrected, “saw me half-exposed on the dance floor. Nevander saw me fully naked, and the king and I had sex. So, I think the cat’s out of the bag in regard to any lingering image of propriety we hoped to maintain.”
They blinked at me.
“Fine,” I said, striding to the wardrobe.
Fancy. Every piece was one of Alejandro’s majestic designs, each one grating on my last nerve. I slammed the door shut. With deceptive calm, and more venom than I’d ever mustered, I said, “What god must one pray to for a simple pair of pants and a shirt in this gods-forsaken place?”
Tarrin looked to Fiora in a silent plea for help.
Seconds later, clothes appeared out of nowhere on my bed.
“Thank you,” I gritted out and unceremoniously snatched the clothing off the bed and made my way into the lavatory, shutting the door behind me.
I took a moment to gather myself and splash some cold water on my face. I brushed my teeth and washed my face, grasping for any tether to normalcy.
Feeling less on edge, I wandered back.
Upon exiting the suite, Fiora held her hands out to Tarrin and me, valenning us away from that wretched room.
In a blink, we appeared in a shaded grove not much farther than Tarrin and I had wandered last night. I could see the terrace where I’d overlooked the gardens and was glad to feel oriented.
Moments later, Caius, Myron, Nevander, and Thaddeus appeared, startling me. I wondered if I could hone my senses to detect such things, then realized it didn’t matter; we were only here for a few more days.
Thaddeus stepped toward me, his eyesfilled with concern, then halted. We were in mixed company now, and I was supposedly just his companion. It would be easier when we were back home.Home. The word lingered in my mind. The palace felt different from the familiar comfort the forest provided, more like how an actual home should feel. Safe. Comfortable. Familiar. Most importantly, not here.
“Why are we out here?” Caius asked.
