Elyssa stopped in front of the door, waiting for Amira to catch up. Raising her fist, she knocked on the door. “We haven’t gotten to that conversation yet, but don’t worry, he’ll like you.” Amira stood next to her, staring at the door nervously. Was it because she had a bad experience with brothers, or because she would be meetingElyssa’sbrother?
Elyssa knocked a second time, getting impatient.
“Your brother, is he a human…rebel like you?”
“Not exactly.” Elyssa raised her hand to knock a third time as she added, “I should warn you, you’ve met Eyden before.”
Amira’s gaze swung back to her as the door opened. Amira’s surprised eyes left hers as she took in the fae standing in the doorway. Shock and recognition washed over her face.
Eyden seemed just as surprised to see the princess. His gaze travelled between Elyssa and Amira. He was holding a knife in one hand, and Amira’s eyes lingered on it. Shirtless and his hair messy, he looked as if he’d just woken up. Then again, it was the middle of the night.
“El,” Eyden started. Elyssa noticed his relief as he looked her over. She’d told him she could goddamn handle this mission. He focused on Amira. “And Princess Amira. What’s going on?” he asked, mistrust lacing his voice.
Elyssa sprang into action. “Such a brotherly welcome,” she said, smirking at him. Pushing against Eyden’s shoulder, she made her way into his flat, pulling Amira in with her. “I have a lot to fill you in on, but first, put the damn knife away and grab a shirt, for fuck’s sake.”
Eyden swung the door shut behind them. “I wasn’t expecting guests,” he said, pointedly looking at Amira.
“You can talk freely in front of her. Amira is on our side now,” Elyssa stated.
Eyden’s eyes drifted to their joined hands, a question on his face.
“I’m sorry, your brother is a fortae dealer?” Amira asked, turning her head to Elyssa. “I’m assuming this is no coincidence.”
“Surprise.” Elyssa grinned at her sheepishly. “He’s not actually a dealer. It was a way to get into the palace that we aren’t proud of.”
Eyden still looked taken aback. It didn’t happen often, and the expression alone made Elyssa’s grin widen.
“Right…” he said just as the bathroom door behind him opened. To Elyssa’s surprise, Lora appeared behind its frame.
“Lora!” Elyssa yelled before throwing her arms around the half-fae. Lora didn’t hesitate to return the hug. It had been months,months,since she’d seen Lora.
Elyssa stepped back, her hands still on Lora’s shoulders. “How the hell are you here?Whatare you doing here? Did you escape the damn palace?”
“Sort of,” Lora replied. She glanced over Elyssa’s shoulder, an uncertain smile on her lips.
Taking a closer look at her shirtless brother and Lora, who looked like she had slept in the clothes she was wearing, a knowing smirk pulled at her lips. “Well, it’s about time.”
Eyden cleared his throat. “I’m gonna get a shirt.” He walked to his closet.
“Yeah, you do that,” Elyssa teased. Her gaze refocused on Lora, noticing the bruises on her neck. “What happened there?” Elyssa still felt a dull pain on her arm where Wryen had burned her. The wound, covered by a bandage, was hidden by the long sleeve of her servant’s uniform.
Lora looked from Elyssa to Amira, who was still standing by the door. “We can trust you?”
Amira nodded, making Elyssa’s smile brighter.
“Karwyn happened.” Lora’s voice had turned low, haunted.
Amira didn’t look surprised this time. The princess clasped her hands in front of her, a nervous habit. “He did that to me once too,” she confessed, the air in the room turning heavy. Her hand covered Wryen’s mark. “Not only Karwyn.”
Lora sighed as if that was all it took to accept Amira’s good intentions. “If it makes you feel any better, Karwyn’s face took the punishment for it. Eyden got him good.”
Eyden walked out of the walk-in closet at that moment. He’d put on a dark grey shirt, his knife no longer in his hand, but Elyssa was sure it was hidden somewhere on his body. “I probably broke his nose and cheekbones.” There was no hint of remorse in his voice.
Looking at Lora, his eyes were filled with a silent promise. Elyssa could see how much he loved her. He deserved that. He really did. All the mistakes she had been so furious about didn’t change the fact that he deserved the world.
The room had grown serious—too serious. “I’m jealous,” Elyssa said. “I would have loved to break his face first.” Everyone turned to her, and the tension broke as they all laughed.
“You’ll get your turn,” Eyden said, moving closer to her. Lora joined them in the kitchen. She stopped next to Eyden as if needing to be close to him.
