Luca raises an eyebrow. “In exchange for rescuing a few citizens?”
Etta nods, that smile still on her face. “And in exchange for your help in establishing the Lower Houses as a formal House.”
“And restoring the Fae Kingdom,” Amaris adds.
Ivan shifts in his seat.
“Once Mae is back on the throne, of course,” Etta says.
Luca leans back against the sofa, still sandwiched between Ivan and Basil, who scoots further to the side. “Okay then,” Luca says. “What’s the plan?”
It feels like a weight has been lifted. I was prepared for a bigger argument. Not that it would have mattered, because there’s no way we’re backing out of the arrangement anyway.
“Well, that’s why we’re here today. We need to come up with one,” Etta says. “I think you all should move into Squall’s End. I don’t know where you’re staying, but this has got to be safer than wherever you are currently. Plus, it will be convenient for arranging our rescue missions, will allow you to train with our army, and familiarize yourself with our citizens.”
I tilt my head as I consider her proposal. It’s not a bad idea, but I’m curious to know what the others think before I agree to it. Moving here was not a part of the deal, and I don’t want to force them to do anything else if they’re not on board. I’ve already agreed to enough without their input.
“We can achieve all of those things regardless of our living arrangements,” I respond. “Either way, I think one of the next steps is to get in contact with August and Barrett to inform them of our alliance.”
Etta’s jaw twitches. “I would like to wait on that.”
I freeze. “Why is that?”
She hesitates, glancing down at her lap. “You have to understand, Squall’s End has been hidden for decades. I don’t want to show our hand too quickly. What if this arrangement doesn’t work?”
“So, you want to stay hidden…while also becoming a formal House?” Asmo asks dubiously. His fingers drum on the worn leather armrest. “Those two are mutually exclusive. Which is it, Etta?”
She doesn’t answer. She watches him, lips pursed, then snaps her gaze to me. “You’re sure about him?”
“Yes.” My answer is quick and decisive, my net bobbing along the river undisturbed.
She huffs a breath. “Well, if I’m being honest with you, Mae. His presence gives me pause. His brother just tried to kill me, then stole the throne. Who’s to say Asmo isn’t Marik’s backup plan to finish you off?”
“I would never hurt Mae.” Asmo’s tone is deadly, ice cold. It rings with truth.
Etta turns her gaze to him, as if seeing him through a new light. “Did you have anything to do with Marik’s plan to steal the throne?”
He doesn’t take his eyes from her. “No.”
“Did you know of it?”
“No.”
She stares at him for a beat longer, then turns back to me. “Fine.” I tilt my head at her easy acceptance of his answers. Can she detect lies, too? “I agree with you. Speaking with Barrett and August should be next. But I would appreciate some time to do so. Do you agree to hold off for another week?”
I freeze. A week? Another week of Elle being in Marik’s hands? “No, I’m not okay with waiting a week. Elle is being held as Marik’s prisoner.”
She rolls her shoulders back, as if sitting here and working with us is proving to be a monumental test to her endurance. “The extra time will give us time to plan for the conversation with August and Barrett. It’s arguably the most important conversation we’ll have, and it needs to be thoroughly thought out.” Her features soften, and she adds, “Getting Elle out is a priority. She was my friend, too.”
I inhale a shaky breath. “Etta, we have reason to believe that Marik is controlling her using dark magic.”
Her eyelids shutter, and she sucks in a sharp inhale of air. The softness is gone. “Well, while I am sorry to hear that, all of the citizens in Squall’s End are counting on me for their safety and their futures. Like I said, Elle is a priority, but we do not risk the mission or the safety of others to rescue her.”
I don’t care. Marik is a monster, and Elle is at his hands. Ellesacrificed herself not once, but twice, to save my life. And I’ve left her to rot in that castle with him. I swallow every word, each one thick and sharp. Instead, I nod. Etta has offered me more hope of getting Elle back than anybody else. The rest of the kingdom has abandoned her. Without Etta and the Lower Houses, we’d be back at square one.
“I would welcome the opportunity to stay here and learn more about Squall’s End and its citizens,” I say. “However, I would like to speak with my advisors. With my friends.”
One corner of her mouth quirks up. “Of course. We’ll be outside,” she says.
