Behati’s eyes seem incandescent behind her white bangs. “I’m aware, but I can see just fine from anywhere in the realm.”
I hate her implicit threat. “Fine, but if Kanti tries to hurt me or mine, then she’ll step into the Mahananda.”
Behati purses her lips. “She’ll be on her best behavior. Right, Kanti?” When Kanti doesn’t confirm this, Behati repeats her question with a snap. “Right?”
“Of course, Taytah.” She rolls her eyes. “I will always do what’s best for the Mahananda.”
I nod farewell to the Nebban commander, who sketches a reverential bow, and then I turn toward Enzo and ask him to escort the women. “Behati, your palace wing is in shambles. You’re welcome to stay in Priya’s bedchamber until yours is fixed.”
“My grandmother’s dwelling is destroyed?” Kanti shrills. “Who would do such a thing?”
I release Cathal’s fingers so he can morph into a Crow like Aoife and Reid. “The prisoner she stowed beneath her bed. Or perhaps, Justus. I didn’t have time to enquire.”
Kanti grips her grandmother’s bony arm. “Taytah, what if this is an ambush? What if Meriam and Justus are down there waiting for us? What if Daya’s leading us straight to them?”
“They’re not down there.” Behati lifts a hand to her chest and rubs, as though her heart were aching.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because Meriam owed me a favor, and I claimed it. She cannot harm me or any descendant of mine.”
I wonder when the seer claimed this bargain—when she heard Meriam had broken free, or when she imprisoned her in a cell beneath her bed?
As I climb up my mate’s wing, I turn back toward Enzo.Have them and their trunks searched for any suspect powder or vial.
He glances at the six trunks two gray-eyed Faeries are floating off the shiny white Nebban ship and onto the wooden Shabbin one.
I’m sorry for saddling you with them, Enzo.
He stares at me, then at Cathal.You have a mate now.That is all he says, and he says it so flatly, it makes my heart twinge.
I send down a prayer to the Mahananda that he finds his other half soon. One worthy of him.
Chapter 57
Zendaya
All three Crows land in the courtyard.Four…
Aodhan has joined us. He touches two fingers to his forehead and flicks them in that same odd gesture Cathal did once. “You got it, boss bird.”
At my frown, Cathal presses his palm to the small of my back and leans over to murmur, “I’ve tasked him with keeping Kanti entertained.”
Reid coughs a word that’s foreign to me into his fist, which makes Aodhan’s grin burn brighter.
“Have you seen Kanti?” The Crow no one can seem to stand flicks back a lock of midnight hair. “It’s not exactly a punishment.”
“Gods, you and her are like the same person,” Agrippina says.
I catch a soft smile playing on Aoife’s lips. I take it that she agrees.
“I’ll choose to take that as a compliment seeing as Kanti is hot as fuck.” He waggles his eyebrows at Agrippina. “Admit that you’re disappointed the Cauldron didn’t mate you with me.”
She bursts out laughing, which makes Reid grin smugly. I glance up at Cathal whose expression wavers betweenamusement and nerves. When he senses my stare, he wheedles the corners of his mouth up. I wish he didn’t feel the need to fake anything with me.
Asha appears beside us, her eyes bright in spite of the dark circles rimming them. “I fed Cruaih before putting her in Daya’s bedchamber like you asked, Cathal.”
Oh, Mahananda, Cruaih!I’d completely forgotten about her.
