The weight of Wymond’s gaze fell upon me, and I faced him, unflinching. Darkness flickered in his eyes, but I didn’t dare look away as his power pressed against me.
It was forceful, demanding. More direct than Caius’ or Myron’s magical inquisitions. I tapped into my energy field, the one I’d noted around others, and envisioned it fortifying. The blackness in Wymond’s eyes guttered for a blink, and his mounting fury at being denied access was palpable. His imposing power intensified,pressing aggressively against me, no longer content with mere probing.
“Is there something you would like to ask me, High Lord?” I said.
Instantly, the room fell silent, and the air felt thick.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, flashing me a coy smirk.
“I mean the power you’ve wrapped around me that’s demanding to gain access.”
“And how would you know such things?” he said as if he’d caught me in a trap.
“I suppose when you’re that sloppy with your powers, anyone could feel it.”
“Would you prefer I caress the answers out of you instead? Or does that only work for King Thaddeus?” he crooned, and I could feel his magical touch caress the barrier I’d fortified.
I shuddered and didn’t dare look at Thaddeus, not wanting to risk giving our secret away. I knew Wymond couldn’t smell it on us; he was gambling that I’d slip up.
“Thaddeus has no need for such methods, as there are no secrets between us,” I said. Wymond’s magic tried different angles, pressing harder, trying to find a way in.
“Wymond,” Caius warned.
“Stay out of it, Caius,” Wymond spat, turning to address him. “You allowed her into our realm not knowing what she is. Only a witch could feel our powers the way she does. You’re deluding yourself if you think this child isn’t a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
He returned his attention back to me.
Seething and done with these games, I stood up, hands resting on the table, and leaned forward, squarely facing the high lord of the Autumn Court. “Lord Wymond, your interactions with me have been brief and superfluous, yet you malign and slander me with no attempts to veil your disdain. Your magic presses for answers that you hoped to garner without my consent, and yetI’mthe wolf insheep’s clothing? You want to know who I am, Lord Wymond? I’m a twenty-one-year-old woman who dared to dream with her best friend. Who took a leap of faith when an unlikely invitation arrived, and who believed those who promised her safety during this momentous event. I hoped for magic to be real, for bonds to be formed, and for new beginnings to unfold. And how have I been rewarded for that belief and faith in your kind? A high lord tortures me, and then”—my voice cracked, and I held back tears as I continued—“tries to kill me with a wisp of his magic. Just a wisp. And now you,” I said, now angry, recharged, “press your questions and power against me, call me witch, and thinkmeevil? Which one of us is in a foreign place, adjusting to realities that only the insane would believe should I recount them? Which one of us is helpless should you, any of you”—I looked around the table—“choose to end my life? I came in good faith, High Lord, as a guest of this court. What am I? Something new. And I’m sure, after centuries, that terrifies you. But you’re the high lord of the Autumn Court, and the commander-in-chief of the Axelian Army, so pray tell, High Lord, what exactly is it you have to fear from a mortalchild?” I stood there, waiting for him to respond, but only utter silence met me as we took each other’s measure.
“Do you know what it was like to have Amos’ eyes linger on my exposed body as he threatened to do more than just kill me in my own chamber?” I said in a low, cold tone. He didn’t answer. “No, you wouldn’t understand what a violation of that kind would feel like. What it would cost you. But. I. Stayed.”
Turing my gaze from Wymond, I looked to Caius. “Please excuse me, Lord Caius.” I slid my eyes back to Wymond, and said, “The hospitality is overwhelming tonight, and I wouldn’t want to overstay my welcome.”
I made to leave, and my three companions stirred, but I put a hand up, stopping them. I didn’t want them with me, and we needed them to stay and observe the fallout of this conversation.
All eyes were on me, and the room stayed silent save for the clear,clipped sounds of my heels across the tile and my skirts dragging behind me as I took my leave.
A slurry of rage and panic muddled my mind as I walked toward the villa—or at least what I thought was the right direction. Damn it. I’d become so accustomed to escorts leading the way that I hadn’t marked any landmarks. Stupid. Utterly stupid to be so complacent. I knew better than to be weaponless and ignorant about my surroundings. Then again, any weapon would be a fool’s comfort in this damn place.
I was done paying the toll for eternal summer, done with all of this. Fuck Eithan and my damn promise to leave. Stars, I actually missed the time when my family’s lack of love and their belief in me being cursed were my biggest problems.
How in damnation had I found myself here, caught up in ancient magic, centuries-old grudges, orphaned, fighting to find siblings that couldn’t care less about me, and in another damn realm? The spark—what a joke. As if there was anything I could actually do against the fae. This was pointless. Our plan would never work.
“Nyleeria?” a male voice asked from behind me.
“What!”I whirled toward whoever had dared talk to me.
Endymion came up short at my tone, anger clearly radiating off me.
“What?” I demanded again.
He shifted his weight, seeming to second-guess his approach.
“What doesHis Lordshipwant now?”
Endymion took me in, still mute. I glowered up at him, then turned to keep walking. I didn’t make it three full steps before he valenned in front of me.
“Gods damn it!” I said, startled by his instant appearance.
