Amira’s heart grew heavier as she thought back on her past self. “I haven’t beenthatAmira since my father’s death.” Since Wryen took over control of her life.
He paused, the past hanging between them. “I’m glad to see her finally resurface. I think you’ve earned this.” He took out a golden key with a tiny carnelian crystal embedded in its bow and slid it across the table.
Amira’s smile grew wider as her hand touched the cold key, happy to sense the weight of it. Finally, she had managed to do something right.
* * *
“This arrived for you. It’s from a certainVarsha,” Elyssa said when Amira returned to her quarters. She had a letter in her hand.
Amira crossed her arms over her chest, not ready to apologise after storming out earlier. When she didn’t say anything, Elyssa cleared her throat. “You don’t want your letter? Are you too proud to talk to me, princess?” Her tone was teasing, easing Amira’s fear that Elyssa would turn to hate her soon enough. Everyone she’d ever met either threw her aside, died, or was killed because of her.
Amira held out her hand, taking the piece of soft paper from Elyssa. Elyssa stared at Amira as she opened the letter.
“Was there anything else?” Amira asked, her tone sharper than she had intended. A part of her knewshewas the one pushing people away, but wasn’t it for their own good?
“I’m sorry if I upset you earlier,” Elyssa said, much to Amra’s surprise. Her tone was light. “Clearly, you’re more of a brat than I thought. I’ll try to bite my goddamn tongue in the library this afternoon.”
Amira sat on her bed with burning cheeks. “I won’t be in the library today. I’m going into town with the king.”
Elyssa’s face lit up. “Marvellous. I’ll go with you.”
“It’s too risky with you being…” She gestured to Elyssa’s human appearance.
“No one has said anything in the past two weeks. I can pass as fae as long as no one pays too much attention to me. And with you by my side, no one will.” Elyssa grinned at her as if she had no worry in the world, or no fear.
Her smile had a strange effect on Amira. When she stared into Elyssa’s eyes, the darkness in her was no longer at the forefront of her mind. “Do you really want to be seen with abrat?” Amira gave her a challenging smirk.
Elyssa’s gaze sharpened. Then she laughed, much to Amira’s surprise. “Your mood swings are giving me whiplash. One minute, I want to slap some sense into you, the next…” Her laughter died. The nextwhat?Amira had never wanted an answer more. Elyssa cleared her throat. “I’m going with you. You can’t stop me.”
“No, you’re not. You’re not invited.”And it’s not safe. My thoughts aren’t safe around you.
Elyssa still didn’t move, her gaze flickering from her face to the letter in her hand. “Who is this Varsha anyway? A lover?”
Amira couldn’t help but blush. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m engaged, and Varsha is a woman.”
Elyssa held her stare. “So what?”
Amira sensed the darkness in her quiver. Quynn’s beautiful, burned face came to her mind. Amira’s hand twitched, reliving the pain she’d endured the day Quynn had died. Her powers rose to the surface, and Amira could feel the darkness swallowing her. She couldn’t let it out again, not in front of Elyssa. The bed started to shake subtly underneath her.
“Get out,” Amira snapped before it was too late.
Elyssa hesitated, confusion making her face appear paler.Whiplash, indeed.
“I said get out!” Amira repeated. This time, Elyssa left the room, a frown on her face.
The bed stopped shaking. Shocked by her sudden display of power, Amira let herself fall back on the mattress, the unread letter still in her hand.
Chapter27
Eyden
The ball was in full swing when Ilario and Eyden arrived. Decked out in Turosian turquoise and silver, the room was almost blinding. With the floor a glittering white, streamers and gleaming stars hanging from the ceiling, the decorations seemed to beckon Caelo closer. All to represent the Turosian kingdom and all itsglory.
It had been weeks since Eyden had been able to see Lora, but that was about to change. The annual masquerade ball wasn’t one of Rhay’s parties, it was a court event, so Lora had said she would be able to attend. Ilario had gotten an invitation from Rhay, thank Caelo.
It was strange how little time Eyden had actually spent with Lora, yet he felt the void in his life when he couldn’t see her, only hear her voice late at night over his runia. He was glad she’d called at all. Part of him had doubted she would. There was still too much Lora kept hidden from him.
It was more than he had heard from Elyssa. But wasn’t that what he deserved? Wasn’t that why he had chosen not to tell Elyssa about his involvement with fortae?
