Silas shakes his head. “My whole life has been dedicated to speaking with him as little as possible. We are going to need Fen’s help with this one.”
I catch Maines rolling her eyes and flash an annoyed look in her direction.
“How quickly can she be here?” I ask.
Silas opens his mouth to speak, but is cut off.
“Talking about me behind my back?” a cheerful voice sounds from the open balcony doors.
Fen steps into the living space with Warrick close behind, per usual.
“Well, that wasn’t nearly fast enough,” Oak jokes.
Silas smiles at the sight of his sister and Warrick shifting in at the perfect time.
“Where is Hux?” Silas asks. “We will need everyone on board.”
“He stayed back to sweet-talk our father about this meeting. He knows what is going on. Don’t worry, he’s the best person for this job. Hux has a certain…pizzazz to him.” Fenmore winks.
“If that’s what you want to call it,” Warrick chimes in. “He is persuasive and cocky as fuck. That’s why Malachi likes him.”
Fen shrugs.
“Tell me I’m wrong,” Warrick responds, with a grin.
“I’m trying not to be pissed off that I’m the last to hear about this plan. My right-hand men and sister are making plans without me.” Silas grabs my hand with a squeeze. “This has never happened before.”
His commanders laugh.
“How does it feel, boss?” Warrick angles his head.
“Sour,” Silas responds, stiffly.
Fen plops down at the table. “Oh? You don’t like being the last to know? Now you see how we’ve all felt for years.”
I chuckle before redirecting the conversation. “Alright, so we are all here. We will have to wait to find the library.”
Fen coughs. “Excuse me, what?”
I glance back at Warrick, and he’s as stunned at my words as Fenmore.
“When do we meet with Malachi?”
Warrick steps forward. “Tonight.”
Chapter 13
We spent the rest of the afternoon discussing our past lives and the different worlds we grew up in. As the day nears its end, the bright sun begins to dip behind the horizon, casting a looming shadow across the room. The fading light seems darker, like it’s threatening what’s to come.
Our chatter fades.
When we can’t wait any longer, we split up to dress for the castle. Oak and Maines return to their bedroom, and I slip into Silas’s room while he stays behind to discuss a few things with his commanders quietly.
Nerves run through me as I make my way to the bathing chambers. I splash some cold water on my face and smooth my hair. With all of my belongings at the castle, my options are limited for clothing.
A soft knock sounds, followed by the creak of the heavy wooden door.
“Briar?” Fen pokes her head through. “You in here?”
