Then Amira wrenched her head to the side. “But it doesn’t mean it can happen ever again,” she said, pulling back quickly, the candle closest to her blowing out—by itself or by Amira’s will, Elyssa didn’t know. “Or that itshould.” Amira scrambled back and rose to her feet. “I’m sorry.”
Without looking back, the princess left the room. Elyssa felt as if all the candles had blown out even though the rest still burned on.
Chapter44
Lora
As Lora walked down the hall, shadowed by Layken, cold anxiety enveloped her. The bracelet Eyden had given her was warm against her skin underneath her sweater, reminding her of tonight’s mission while giving her a shred of peace.
It had taken all her willpower to ask Layken to give Karwyn a message. She hadn’t been sure Karwyn would agree to have dinner with her, but apparently, he was curious enough.
Getting Karwyn alone was the first part of the plan. The next part would be trickier. Lora took a deep breath, watching the sunset through the large windows along the corridor. She gave herself a fifty-fifty chance that tonight would work in her favour. As long as she didn’t go against the contract and kill her mother in the process, she could take the risk. Lora trusted that Eyden knew what he was doing.
It felt strange to even think it.Trust.It wasn’t something she had knowingly developed. Yet here she was, trusting afae. But not any fae; Eyden was special, in more ways than one.
When Lora stepped into the dining hall, Karwyn was already seated. A servant poured indigo wine into his glass before walking past her out of the room. Lora stepped towards the table slowly, waiting for Karwyn to acknowledge her.
“Well, do not merely stand there, cousin,” he said, taking a sip of his wine. “You wanted to have dinner, so I felt inclined to grant you this final favour.” His inhumane turquoise eyes met hers. “An almost last dinner, so to say.”
Lora forced her pokerface to stay. Glancing at Layken as he left the room, she took a seat across from Karwyn. She heard the door close as Layken left them alone.
“How kind,” Lora said, her lips in a tight line. “I bet you say that to all your prisoners.”
Karwyn folded his arms in front of him. “I do not have prisoners, cousin. That would mean they were kept alive.” He waited for a reaction, then focused his attention on the puree in front of him. Taking a spoonful, he savoured the food.
“That’s not quite true, though, is it? Wouldn’t you say you have one prisoner?” Lora asked. Karwyn glanced at her as he took another gulp. “The witch? I’ve met her, you know.” Karwyn coughed, almost choking.
“What are you playing at, cousin?” he said as he put his spoon on the white tablecloth with no care about staining it. “We both know you have not met her.”
“Oh, but I have.” She leaned forward, fixing him with a knowing glare. “I didn’t catch her name, but we had quite the interesting conversation before I knocked her out so well she probably doesn’t remember ever seeing me.”
Understanding washed over his face, but it was quickly replaced by menace. “It hardly matters. There is nothing you can do, Loraine. Stealing a conversation with Cirny is nothing more than a pathetic, pointless attempt at saving yourself.”
Anxiety spread through her like cold water running down her skin. Her mother’s face appeared in her mind, twisted in pain as she struggled to breathe just as Lora had that time Karwyn had choked her. She didn’t want to risk her life, but her mother would want her to fight. Karwyn couldn’t hurt her family, it was part of the agreement. And now that she had Eyden to deliver her letter to them, Karwyn couldn’t threaten her with telling her family cruel lies.
Lora closed her eyes for a second to calm herself before seeking out Karwyn’s gaze again. “I wouldn’t call finding a loophole to break the contract pointless or pathetic.”
Karwyn was silent for a few seconds. Then he leaned back in his chair, a dark laugh rumbling through him. “There is no such thing for you.”
“Isn’t there? Didn’t you say there is always a loophole?”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Maybe I want you to know that I have my own cards to play. You haven’t won just yet. I have an ace up my sleeve, and we both know you can’t read my mind to find out what it is. How frustrating that must be.”
She felt his cold gaze everywhere, seeping into her veins.
Karwyn pushed back his chair and rose. “Fine. You want to play this game?” Lora didn’t move a muscle. He stalked around the table, leaning in until she felt his breath on her cheek. “This is going to be unpleasant.” He grabbed her arm with force, hauling her to her feet. She had no choice but to follow, his air power pushing her.
“Where are we going?” she asked, trying to sound eager to stay. Karwyn moved his free hand, and the doors blew open, startling Layken. The guard’s gaze landed on Karwyn’s firm hand on Lora’s arm. She could already feel a bruise forming.
“Stay,” Karwyn commanded. He turned to Lora as he dragged her down the corridor. “You are either lying—in which case you will wish you did not dare—or Cirny will fix whatever you have discovered. I will not be taunted.”
Karwyn marched her up the stairs. Lora had never been in this corridor. She had expected him to lead her to the underground. Where were they going?
A set of silver doors appeared down the hall, with two guards standing in front of them. Karwyn flicked his hand, and the doors opened. He pushed Lora through before slamming the doors shut behind them.
Stumbling, Lora caught herself on a silver table. She surveyed the room. It was quite spacious, with a comfortable-looking lounge area, a small table, and a lyre leaning next to an open door that led to what looked like a bedroom. Everything was draped in silver and shiny turquoise. This had to be Karwyn’s room.
