My sister hesitated. A protective flare, new and unbidden, flashed through me. I had to help her but worried the second my hand left Matthias’s arm, he’d slap the smug smile from Danté’s face.
Skye stood between them, the sweetest of smiles on her lips.
‘I haven’t had the pleasure of Enfys’s company since we were children. And Sorrow is her sister?—’
‘Half-sister.’
‘Sister!’ Enfys strode forward; her icy stare bored into Danté. ‘Sorrow is mysister, Duke. And if you haven’t noticed, she’s the queen of Asmar and we’re guests in her kingdom. I’m more than happy for you to turn in, but I’d like to spend some time with my family. You’re dismissed, Your Grace.’
Colour rose up Danté’s pale cheeks. He took a step towards Enfys before his eyes widened and the wolf stood between them, his gaze set on the duke. I ran my hand across his coarse fur.
‘Even the wolf wants Enfys to stay,’ I said. ‘As she says, you’re dismissed.’
A grimace swiped across his face, his eyes ablaze.
‘As you wish.’ The duke took a large step around me and strode down the carpet. When he’d only got halfway, he turned. ‘I’ve never complimented you on your palace before, Asmar. You should enjoy it, while it’s still yours.’
His blurry form stormed down the carpet, fists clenched at his side. I took my sister’s hand. Maybe Enfys knew where Romero searched for the Vyrium.
‘Romero knows where the Vyrium is?’
She closed her eyes and dipped her head. When she spoke, her voice was barely a whisper.
‘I wouldn’t put it past him to be at the door. Do you think?’ Enfys looked pointedly at Pablo. The wolf understood straight away and loped down the carpet. The sound of his growling grew, followed by the slap of hastily retreating feet.
Enfys blew out a deep breath, but kept her voice low. ‘Father has your books, your research, everything.’
‘Fucker,’ Asher muttered, earning a reproachful glance from Enfys.
My heart sank like stone. ‘And he’s found a site.’
‘He certainlythinkshe has.’
I narrowed my eyes at my sister, the little girl who’d adored her daddy as though he were a god.
‘He thinks?’ Matthias asked.
Enfys nodded.
‘He’s…’ Her chest hitched and she closed her eyes for a moment. ‘He’s not the man I thought he was, Sorrow. I idolised my father – you know I did – but, when I see how he’s reactedto the awful news from the other kingdoms. When he made my ownsisterhis Tribute. Watching him smash an ink pot because Matthias refused to hand Asmar to him, I’ve had to ask myself if he’s truly the man I thought he was. So, I hope you don’t mind…but I may have added a few additional, quite fake, notes to your research.’
Matthias scooped her up and swung her round, narrowly missing my arms.
‘You amazing, clever creature!’ he said, pulling her close and placing a kiss onto the top of her head.
A glimmer of jealousy flared within that refused to smother no matter how I tried to convince myself there was nothing between them.
‘You’ve sent him the wrong way.’
‘There’s more,’ she said as Matthias moved away. ‘I’ve brought some of your work. Your drawings – they’re stunning by the way – and a few of your more recent notebooks.’
Perhaps Iwasblessed by Evella! My half-sister. No, my sister had not only sent Romero the wrong way, but she’d brought my research, going against the word of the man who wouldn’t hesitate to punish her if he learned of her treachery.
‘Oh Enfys!’ I pulled her in. Embraced her with a surprising ease. She sank into me, tears burning against my eyes as I realised she wore the same rose water as Mama. ‘I wish you could stay longer.’
We came apart, but she kept her arms on mine. ‘Do you see why I needed to take my orders here? Why I had to get away from him?’
I took in her bright blue eyes. Like my sister, Mama had made sacrifices to help me, to keep peace between The Alliance.
