When I finally finished telling her everything, Ree’s silence throbbed in my consciousness, and I knew she was processing it all.
At last, she said,So your parents are alive, Gwen and Timith aren’t your relatives, Verin isn’t who she said she was, and she’s been taken by the Imperial Council?But I don’t understand. Kolestolethe Stone from you? I thought he had feelings for you.
He totally stole it, and even if he did have feelings for me, they’re not important enough for him to not do his job. I’m the biggest fool. Kole was deceiving me the entire time we were together. We didn’t meet by chance. It was all an act since the Imperial Council seems to think Verin was actually targeting me with her potion, not Timith, and given what she said last night, they’re probably right. Anyway, while I was hunting the Stone, they sent Kole to monitor me, or follow me, or something like that. Honestly, I don’t fully understand any of this.My throat grew thick again, so I stopped eating and took another sip of tea.
Oh Gods, Prim. I’m so,sosorry. And all of that means Timith is going to...Her agony drifted to me.
Yes, I can’t save him anymore.Tears began to fill my eyes in earnest, and I blinked rapidly.
At the door, Kole shifted, his sword scraping against the wall.
Sniffing, I turned away from the warrior so he couldn’t see my expression and continued.The Council believes Verin’s potion made Timith sick, and apparently, I now have to test my food and drink before consuming anything.I briefly explained what Betsee had put on my food before I’d eaten today.
Truly? But I still don’t understand that. How could a potion do such a thing?
I don’t understand that part either. I’ve never heard of a potion that could fully transform a fairy into something elseentirely, but Jamie said it had very,verypowerful magic about it.
But why would Verin, or whoever she’s working for, want to turn you into something like that? What purpose could that possibly serve?
I don’t know, but Verin said the strangest thing last night. Her exact words were, “My liege will get to her eventually. Now that we know for certain who she is.”
I could practically feel Ree’s head rear back as she said,What in the realm doesthatmean?
I wish I knew.A chill ran through me, because for the first time, it hit me with startling clarity that what’d happened to Timith had been intended forme. Just as fast, I recalled all of the times Verin had tried to feed me or make me drink something. My eyes widened to saucers just as I remembered a key detail.
I glanced at Kole, but then Ree said,I don’t even know what to say. What can I do to help you, Prim?She sounded on the verge of tears.
I wish I knew, I said again. Stars Above, I wish I knew what either of us could do to make any of this better.
“What do you think of this ensemble, my lady?” Betsee’s joyous question cut through the mental conversation I was having with my best friend like a knife. The lady’s attendant’s tone was in such contradiction to the absolute despair Ree and I were feeling that it took me a moment to process what she’d said.
Ree, I’m sorry, but I have to go. Apparently, I have to approve the outfit the servant just picked out for me.
Stars, what in the realm is happening?
I know, right? But I’ll connect with you soon, as soon as I’m able.
Okay, and I’ll go visit your aunt again, to see if she knows anything more, even though that warrior is trying to keep me out.
Thank you, Ree. Love you.
Love you too, Prim.
I closed our connection in a hurry since it’d been a while since Betsee had asked me for my approval. Blinking, I surveyed the gown, underthings, and accessories she held up. She twirled the gown around so I could get a better look at it.
“It’s, um, it’s all beautiful,” I finally managed.
Betsee twirled the gown more, and slits in the eggplant skirt revealed lacy crimson material beneath it that appeared every time the servant moved the material. And at the gown’s waist was a narrow glittering yellow sash that added a pop of color. Fitted lacy sleeves spilled down from the gown’s neckline, also in eggplant, but the gown’s bodice was made of silk, and hundreds of crimson jewels had been sewn into the dark-purple fabric.
I hadn’t been lying. It was abeautifulgown and was fabricated of Mistvale Kingdom colors. The entire ensemble screamed of wealth, privilege, and decadence. And while my aunt and uncle had never been poor, I’d also never worn something that expensive.
Betsee beamed. “I shall bring everything to the changing area.”
As the lady’s attendant began to move everything behind a privacy screen, I eyed Kole, then stood in a hurry and went to him.
His energy shifted as I approached, but I didn’t stop until I stood right in his space. Under my breath, I said, “Does the Council know yet what that potion is that Jamie found in Verin’s room?”
His eyebrows folded together. “Not yet. It’s currently being tested.”
