“Welcome,” he says quietly, his eyes locked on Holly.
Flint doesn’t notice. He heads to the bar to pour us all a round of drinks.
“And what did you say your names were?” August asks, gaze flitting between Asmo and me.
“We didn’t,” Asmo answers.
August stands still, staring at Asmo. It feels like a challenge—like he’s about to demand Asmo give him his name.
“I’m Amelia,” I say, walking to him and extending my hand. He hesitantly pulls his gaze from Asmo and shifts it to me. My hand hangs in the air between us before I remember. I form a curtsy.
“Lovely to meet you, Amelia,” August says, but his usual charm ismissing. He seems tired, deflated. Just like us. It gives me some hope, that maybe things in the High Houses aren’t as status-quo as I thought. Maybe August has been fighting back against Marik behind closed doors.
He walks up to Holly and clasps his hands behind his back. “And you must be…”
“Holly,” she says. She stares up at him, meeting the challenge he’s laid out for her.
August’s gaze snaps to me, then back to Asmo, before settling on Holly once more.
“Flint,” he calls, his eyes still on Holly. “Out.”
“What? Why?” Flint asks from behind us, disappointment in his tone.
“Go.” His demand is harsh. Final.
Behind us, something is set on the bar before footsteps head to the exit, a draft of wind entering as Flint opens and closes the door behind him. Leaving us alone with August. Will he be with us or against us?
My power sits just below the surface, ready to strike.
“Sit,” August commands.
Thankfully, Asmo doesn’t quip back with a smart-ass response. We all take a seat on the green sofa while August settles into the matching armchair on the opposite side.
“What’s going on here?” August asks, glancing between the three of us.
“Prince August,” Holly says, her tone respectful. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“Who are these two?” he asks her, gaze flitting between Asmo and me.
“We’ll get to that,” Holly says. Again, I’m reminded of the timid Holly from before. This Holly has been through literal fire. Instead of it destroying her, it morphed her and hardened her into a weapon. She’s been through too much and has too much to lose. Her home—the kingdom—hangs in the balance.
“No, Holly,” he responds. “I don’t think you understand how this is going to work. Let me remind you of some facts.”
It appears August has changed, too. Gone is his carefree demeanor,replaced by a version of him who has also been hardened.King Conall and Prince August have been seen walking the streets, keeping an eye on things.Just how much has August seen? How much has his court suffered because of Marik? Because of me?
He settles back in the chair, arms draped along the armrests. He lifts his chin as he assesses us. “Witches and dark magic have spread throughout the kingdom. The last time I saw you, you were dead. The last time I saw Mae, she was dead. Now, miraculously, you and Mae are alive, seemingly resurrected. Do you see how this might be looking to me right now?”
Holly’s jaw drops. “You think that Mae and I were brought back from the dead? By dark magic?”
He cocks his head. “Are you denying it?”
“Of course I’m denying that,” she hisses. “It was close. Too close. But I never died. And neither did Mae.”
“So, you’re in touch with her, then?” he asks.
Holly nods curtly.
“And what does the Crown want with us?” His tone is careful, controlled.
