“I’m sorry, Princess, but no.” The lordling held up his hand, his smile flattening. “I have quite a few things I need to do this morning, and I have no interest in pursuing this further. I’m sorry, but my answer is final.”
My lips parted, and my senses focused on the constant throb of the lordling’s heart. I subtly opened my mouth to stretch my jaw, trying to work the ache out, but it did no good. The lordling’s blood still called to me.
I licked my lips, my throat horrifically dry. “I see. I’m sorry to hear that, but if you’d just let me explain a bit further why I think?—”
“Good day to you, Princess.” Ire prickled the lordling’s words, and he abruptly stood. “Thank you for visiting, but I must insist that our meeting conclude. However, if the king has similar interests to yours, I would be more open to discussing this further at the next council meeting, but as for now, my answer is firm. I shall call my staff and have them escort you out.” He went to push a button near his desk, and before I could stop it, my uncle’s command took hold of me.
Magic cascaded out of me, soaring right toward the lordling. I impaled his Shield, penetrated his thoughts, gripped his mind, and his hand fell slack, his body freezing.
Even though everything inside of me wanted to stop what I was doing, I couldn’t. My magic spun a web through his mind, making him think he’d come up with my uncle’s plan on his own. I reconstructed my meeting with him so his memory of it would be about me visiting for a frivolous call and nothing more.
It only took seconds for me to twist the lordling’s thinking and align it with my uncle’s.
Just as quickly as my magic entered his mind, it receded.
It couldn’t have been more than ten seconds total, and then the lordling was blinking at me, a slightly dazed look upon his face. He shook his head slightly.
For a moment, he just stood there, then brought a hand to his forehead. “I’m sorry. I apologize, Princess Primelle. I think I lost my train of thought.” He smiled pleasantly, the first genuine expression I’d seen on his face since I’d entered. “It’s strange, but I just had the most brilliant idea.” He tapped his chin and nodded. “Yes, truly brilliant. I believe I should bring it up at the next council meeting. But anyway, thank you again for visiting. It was lovely to see you.”
I tried to smile. Tried to do something normal, but inside me, pain erupted. I’d just done exactly what my aunt and uncle hadspent my entire life teaching me not to do. I’d just broken my vows to them toneverinfluence another.
I stood, my legs shaking, but I managed to dip my head. “Thank you again for your time, and I do appreciate you meeting with me this morning.”
I turned stiffly, not able to look Kole in the eye. He still stood by the wall, but I felt his burning stare. His unfiltered shock. Unspoken questions blazed from the warrior, but at least I hadn’t been forced to alter his thoughts too. Not yet at least.
I left the study before the wildling servant could return to escort us out. I needed to leave this house. Needed to leave that room behind me. Needed to never think again about what I’d just done.
Behind me, Kole’s footsteps thundered. “What just happened, Princess?” he all but growled. A quiet accusation hung in his words, and it was laced with an undercurrent of disbelief.
“Nothing. Nothing happened,” I bit out and hurried back to the front doors.
His jaw snapped together, the sound so loud it felt like it echoed through my ears as I raced through the halls.
I knew Kole wanted to say more, wanted to demand that I tell himwhyI’d just done what I had. Clearly, he’d seen it, perhaps even felt it. He knew that I’d just twisted the lordling’s thoughts.
But I couldn’t bear to admit it. Because if I told him, or if he clearly voiced that he understood what I’d done, then I would be forced to alter his thoughts too. That would be classified as suspicious, which meant my uncle’s command would rear, and Kole would fall prey to my monstrous magic too.
But at the moment, I just suspected that he knew. I didn’t know for certain, and I prayed to all the gods and goddesses that would keep him safe.
I picked up my pace, barely keeping my vampire speed in check. Kole strode quickly behind me, but the swift pace ceased our conversation.
Ahead, a wilding servant careened around the corner, breathless from his run. “Apologies for the delay, Princess. Please, follow me as I escort you out.” His words were polite. Nothing about his demeanor hinted at the fact that I’d just persuaded and controlled his employer.
But considering the warrior’s aura pounding into my back that felt as hot as the sun, I had a feeling Kole’s relentless questions would inevitably be coming.
CHAPTER NINE
The entire ride back to the palace, I didn’t look at Kole. Didn’t speak to him. I couldn’t.
But even though the warrior sat stoically, seeming to sense my need for silence, I felt his judgment. His confusion. His disbelief at what I’d done.
But he didn’t voice it. Thank all of the gods, goddesses, stars, and galaxy that he didn’t voice it.
Yet I had a feeling Koleknewthat I’d just broken my vow to the king’s council never to control another, even if he never confirmed it.
I clasped my hands tightly together as we continued traveling along the capital’s streets. The carpet flew toward the palace, and as before, fae pointed and whispered as I passed, but I didn’t even glance at them nor wave.
I kept my gaze down, my shoulders folded inward. Shame washed through me again and again.
