“You’re unusually quiet,” Elyssa bit out, unable to hold back.I can’t forgive you.
Eyden goddamn shrugged again. “Do you want me to argue with you?”
Ilario was watching them all in stunned silence.
“No,” Elyssa said sharply, swallowing her anger at Eyden.His lies.Why had he lied to her? Why did he cross the line forher,risking other people’s lives who deserved to live just as much, if not more so, than her?
“I’ll send a fire message if I notice the spell slipping,” Elyssa said. “I have it handled, Eyden. I’m reckless, not dumb.Iknow how far I can go.”
Eyden dropped his head. “I never said otherwise.” His guilty expression was killing her just as much as it was killing him, but she needed to do this.
“I have so many questions,” Ilario said, attracting everyone’s attention. “But Nix will be here soon. I was about to tell Eyden that I found out who Nix is supplying.” They all stared at him expectantly. “It’s Princess Amira Rosston, King Karwyn’s fiancée.”
Elyssa’s mouth fell open before a wide grin stretched across her face. “Hell yes. I can work with that.”
Ilario gave her a curious look. “Do you know her?”
“No, but if she’s close with the king, all the better. Imagine if we get his fiancée on our side.” Hope bloomed in her chest. She had known she needed to do this, but this confirmed it.
“You’re going, then?” Eyden asked. Elyssa hated seeing her brother defeated. Hated being the reason for it. But ultimately,hewas the reason for his own misery.
Her actions were not always exactly right either—and they were about to become more morally ambiguous than ever—but there was no other choice. Elyssa didn’t lean on excuses. She knew what she was doing and why. For her parents, for the humans back at camp, for a better Liraen.
“Yes,” she replied. “This is our best chance, and I won’t ignore it.”
Eyden shifted his feet. “Stay away from the King of Carnylen. He can’t find out who you really are.”
“Didn’t you say Lora told you King Tarnan might be better suited as high king?” Ilario asked, oblivious to the storm building in Eyden’s eyes. It was almost amusing. Eyden’s secrets were working against him.
“Did she now?” Elyssa asked.
Likely sensing denial would be fruitless, Eyden said, “Focus on the princess, okay? I’m sure you can take her on should anything happen. I heard she’s a low-level fae.”
Elyssa put a hand to her heart. “I’m insulted. I can take onsomuch more.” She smirked at him, forgetting her anger for a split second. As her smile slipped, so did Eyden’s.
Clearing her throat, Elyssa said, “The fiancée is my priority. Now, tell me how to make fortae before this rich fae shows up and ruins all our plans.”
* * *
Nix—or ratherRhay,as Eyden had filled them in—had been fairly easy to convince of their plan. Eyden and Farren had moved to hide away before Rhay had shown up to meet Ilario, and the royal fae seemed all too eager to have someone go with Amira.
Becoming a damn pill distributor made her sick to her stomach, but if it wasn’t her giving the princess fortae, Elyssa had no doubt Rhay would have found another way. One that didn’t include a human willingly giving blood.
Mumbling something about Elyssa’s fashion choice, Rhay had insisted she change into a Turosian servant’s uniform. Once she was dressed, having escaped to the privacy of the woods, Elyssa re-joined Ilario and Rhay outside the palace walls. “All done.” She handed her duffle bag to Ilario. “Give this toyou-know-who.”
Rhay looked intrigued, but didn’t comment. “Let’s get this show on the road.” A shiny violet flask appeared in his hand, taken from his sapphire coat.
Ilario watched with clear concern as Rhay took a big sip. Elyssa raised her eyebrows.
Oblivious to her judgement, Rhay held out his flask. “Anyone?”
Ilario shook his head.
“We got better things to do. Let’s get going,” Elyssa commanded.
“There’s always time for liquid courage,” Rhay replied, a smile on his face that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Giving Ilario a quick nod, Elyssa turned to follow Rhay towards the palace. Rhay wasn’t taking her through the front gate, instead leading her into a tunnel. He might be a drunk, but he wasn’t dumb, she had to give him that. They didn’t want to raise any suspicion, so taking over the princess’ carriage by force on its way to Carnylen, as Elyssa had suggested, was out of the question. Rhay insisted sneaking her in beforehand would create less suspicion, especially since they were unsure which path the carriage would be taking.
