“Why did she?”
Taran doesn’t respond immediately. It would seem his limitations on lying make him very deliberate about everything he says, but his expression’s unreadable in the darkness.
“I do not believe I could venture a guess without potentially triggering the curse and risking you forgetting this entire conversation. Which I would prefer not to do.”
“Because you want me to help you fight this queen and stop her from invading Landore again?”
“I don’t expect you to fight her.”
The fire pops as I lean closer. “Then how am I of any use? You claim it has nothing to do with my father, but he’s the only thing that’s special about me. And if you think he won’t go to war because you have me as a hostage, I’m afraid you’re sorely mistaken.”
“I’m not sure why you’re questioning my motives. I’ve explained them to you—I can’t lie.”
His tone sends my blood boiling. “But you fae like to twist your words around, speaking technical truths that hide your deceptions.”
At that, he pushes himself up from his relaxed position, the firelight illuminating the harsh curl of his upper lip.
“What would you know? When was the last time you, or anyone you’ve ever met, knowingly spoke to a fae? What do your people actually know of us?” His eyes narrow. “Believe the lies you tell yourself all you like. They’re the only ones you’ve heard tonight.”
He hits his bag forcefully, causing me to flinch, then takes another gulp from his waterskin before lying with his back to me. “Now go to sleep before I make you sleep.”
Considering I have no idea how he forced me to follow him here, I donotwant to test that threat. My bag full of books is nearly impossible to shape into something comfortable for my head, but I try anyway, then give his back one last glare before I curl myself into a tight ball on the cold, hard ground.
My stomach churns at the thought of what morning will bring. Fae are the enemy, their words riddled with tricks, so I shouldn’t believe anything he said. More than that, I don’t want to. It would mean that everything I’ve been taught, everything between humans and fae, the wars… It’s all more complicated than I ever imagined.
And for the first time in my life, there’s no one to tell me what to do next.
Chapter 21
Reid
“Why are we going to the Academy?” Emmrich hisses as I drag him toward the girls’ dormitory, gravel crunching beneath our feet. Even though it’s dark out, it’d be too conspicuous to have him bound by incantation. I definitely did not want his arm in my hand.
Wait a minute…
“Your name isn’t really Emmrich, is it?” It sounds too normal.
“Ancients, no. It’s Emlyn.”
Emlyn.That’s much nicer.
“But you said—”
“No, I said, ‘Call me Emmrich.’ Stop trying to catch me in a lie. I’m physically incapable of it.”
I sigh. “Whatever. We’re going to the Academy to tell Alexis what’s going on.”
“You can’t possibly think that’ll go well.”
“Her roommate and best friend are about to disappear. She deserves to know.”
My arm jerks me back as Emmrich—Emlyn—stops walking. “Come on,” I urge.
He doesn’t budge. “Understand that you’re taking me into a very dangerous situation. Everyone in that building is being trained to kill me and mine. I’m putting my life in your hands.”
Dammit. He’s right. I look from where my hand holds his arm to his honey-colored eyes. Worry leeches out of them, softening my resolve.
“Alright. I promise I’ll keep you safe. Is that enough?”
