Her mind got caught on something else as she asked Elyssa, “The fae with the fine clothes—Rahmur, I think the other fae called him—you seemed to know him. Do you?”
Elyssa stared straight ahead, muscles tense. “I don’t know him. I’ve heard of him.”
“Who is he?” Amira asked even though Elyssa’s eyes were telling her not to.
“A piece of shit.” Knuckles turning white, Elyssa picked up her pace.
“What did he do to you?” She needed to understand Elyssa’s pain, needed to figure out this human who jumped into danger more willingly than any fae Amira had ever known. What was Elyssa’s endgame?
Elyssa let out a dark laugh. “To me, nothing. Yet. He has hurt countless humans. And fae. He should goddamn rot in hell.”
“I’m sorry I convinced you to run.” Seeing Elyssa’s pain, Amira wished they had taken him out even though there had been no time. Could Amira have killed with herotherness?Wouldn’t that make her even more of a monster, even if Rahmur deserved it?
Elyssa turned to her, her golden eyes softening. “No one can force me to do anything. It was time to get the hell out, but I’m not done with him.”
“What did he say to you?” Over the white noise in her ear, Amira hadn’t been able to pick up his words, but they seemed to have caught Elyssa off guard.
“Don’t worry about it, princess.” Elyssa focused on the path in front of them as the palace gate came into view. So did Tarnan, his face stern but quickly turning to worry as he took in the state of Amira and Elyssa. Their clothes were dirtied up from the fight, and Elyssa had a few bruises flourishing on her skin. Blood stained her face and shirt. Her throat was the most gruesome, the cut clearly visible.
“What in Liraen happened to you? Did someone attack you?” His voice radiated fatherly concern as he rushed to take a closer look at Amira. She must have a wound on the back of her head, but thankfully, Tarnan didn’t seem to notice it, only her bruised nose that still stung.
Amira wished she could tell him about the fight, but it would mean explaining a whole lot more.
Elyssa was faster than her. “We got caught up in a bit of an argument. Luckily, the princess isn’t hurt.”
Tarnan exhaled deeply, as if pushing his worry away. “I apologise. That is unusual for Pyria. I’m glad you’re both okay. Please keep the guards with you next time.” His gaze lingered on the blood staining Elyssa’s neck. “You should go to the infirmary. Our royal healer will help you.” Tarnan turned to Amira, handing her a handkerchief to wipe the blood from her nose. “Amira, your brother is here.”
Amira froze, the bravery she’d gathered earlier vanishing. She had hoped her brother wouldn’t come to torment her in Pyria.
“I should come too,” Elyssa started, her voice suddenly very serious, yet strained from her injury as the adrenaline must be wearing off. A drop of blood ran down her neck to her battered servant’s uniform.
“Wryen has asked to see his sister alone. And given your state, you should go directly to my healer,” Tarnan replied, stern for once. “Do you want me to come with you, Amira?”
Amira wanted nothing more than for Elyssa to give her a pill to help her face her brother, but she couldn’t do so in front of Tarnan. Instead, she gave Elyssa and Tarnan a reassuring half smile. “It’s all right. Go to the healer, Elyssa. I’ll see you later in my quarters.”
Amira’s heart was sprinting in her chest as she walked to her room, from the attack or her upcoming discussion with her brother, she wasn’t sure. She needed to get this over with, to get Wryen to leave as soon as possible. Before Elyssa returned from the infirmary.
Wryen was lounging on her bed when she opened her bedroom door. A frightening smile gathered on his lips, but he stayed on her bed, watching her enter.
“You look worse for wear. I thought your stay here was supposed to help you regain your composure,” Wryen proclaimed, his tone promising punishment.
“I fell in a ditch,” she blurted out, hoping Tarnan wouldn’t bring up Elyssa’s excuse. Her skin was itching and she was having trouble breathing, signs of stress—or withdrawal. This would be so much more tolerable with justonepill.
Wryen let out a cold laugh. “Maybe you should have stayed there. Would have saved me some trouble.” When Amira didn’t react, Wryen sprung up and grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer. She wanted to rip at her skin where Wryen’s touch burned her. “Then again, I am here to announce some great news.”
His crazed eyes bored into Amira’s, trying to intimidate her. If she had still been on fortae, she could have ignored his threats. But now, her mouth felt dry, and her wrist went limp in Wryen’s hold. “Your wedding date has been set. It shall take place two weeks before the High King Contest.”
One and a half months were all she had before her impending doom. Amira forced herself to smile even as her heart threatened to give out, not giving Wryen the pleasure of her misery. She knew her fate was sealed, but hearing the date made her doom even more final.
“That’s wonderful news,” Amira forced out. He dropped her wrist.
“I’m so glad to hear.” His eyes lit up in sick joy. “And you’ll be delighted to know that Rhay has been chosen to plan the wedding. HebeggedKarwyn for the position.”
A dagger to her chest. Amira’s smile dropped as she saw the victorious light in her brother’s lilac eyes. Knowing how Amira felt about Karwyn, knowing what he had done, Rhay was still supporting Amira’s wedding to Karwyn. How could he be so cruel? How could he be soignorant?
The darkness inside her had been exhausted by the fight, yet it still rose in her chest. Her whole body trembled.
A suspicious glint lit up Wryen’s eyes. “What are you doing?” The window started rattling. Amira hugged herself, agony spreading through her. She was too exhausted for this. Tears gathered in her eyes.
