“I agree.”
“We have thirty days to convince them,” I said.
She blinked. “And if we don’t?”
“If we fail, the magical communities will remain divided. The treaty will fall apart.”
“You’re speaking of an annulment.” At my nod, her mouth tightened. “They’re testing us, then. Testingme.” Her eyes flashed. “It’s insulting.”
The air shifted. Her magic, so bright and contained before, burst outward, rippling through the overgrown grass. Flowers that had withered bloomed in riotous color. Roses of crimson and apricot, vines dripping with starlight blossoms. Moss receded, and the dull stone around us glowed with life.
I stared, amazed at the transformation.
She exhaled, her magic dimming as quickly as it had flared. “Sorry. It happens when I’m angry.”
“Don’t apologize. You’ve made this the most beautiful place in the castle.”
Pink colored her cheeks.
And for the first time in years, I smiled like a man, not a king. She was looking at me like I was something more than a crown and a curse, and fates help me, I wanted to be whatever she needed.
“It was already beautiful,” she said softly, her gaze locking on mine. “You just couldn’t see it.”
I realized she might not be talking about the garden at all.
CHAPTER NINE
CYRENE
Cordelia floated up over a hedge and sat on top, peering down at us.
Sunlight filtered through her semi-transparent skirts, and she crossed one leg primly over the other and pulled out what looked like an antique dagger to trim her nails.
“Your nails grow?” I asked, though that was the least of my concerns.
She didn’t look up. “Why wouldn’t they?”
“Nails?” Kieran asked, peering my way. His gaze followed mine. “You’re not speaking to me, are you?”
“Cordelia is here again.”
His frown only deepened. “Oh.”
“How long have you been inside the maze?” I asked her.
“From the moment you entered, my dear. Where else would I be but with the sole person who can interact with me? Do you realize how long it’s been since I spoke to someone who could actually hear, let alone see, me?”
From the moment we entered, huh?
“You played with the maze, didn’t you?”
She pressed her palm against her chest and did a decent job of looking shocked. “Me? What exactly are you accusing me of?”
“You heard me,” I half-growled, telling Kieran what she’d said.
“See? See?” Kieran crowed. “I didn’t get us lost.” He pointed to a low garden. “She did.”
“She’s sitting there.” I gestured in the general direction. “And you’re right. You didn’t get us lost.”
