Panicking, I grab the nearest hand, trying desperately to steady my breathing.
For Princess Dahlia, the gift of understanding.
“What does that mean?” my voice swims around me. “What’s happening? Ami! Eden!”
My eyes pop open and I’m back in the dance circle, gripping Blossom’s hand as hard as she’s gripping mine…
“...Dahlia? Are you alright?” Eden rubs my arm, pulling me from the memory. “Dahlia?”
“I’m fine.” I shake my head. “It’s just cold in here.” It’s not, but I’m covered in goosebumps anyway.
“Want me to light the fireplace?” Blossom asks gently.
“No. Let’s just talk about something else.”
“Like what? Your demon husband?” Eden arches a brow.
“He’s not as bad as you think. You’ll like him. Both of you will.”
“I highly doubt that, considering he kidnapped my little sister,” Blossom huffs.
“Aw, so you do have a heart.” I clutch my chest mockingly while she rolls her eyes. But then I pause.Speaking of little sister…“Have you seen a demon girl here? Blonde hair with black horns. She doesn’t speak.”
“She’s a demon?” Eden gasps. I quickly fill them in on Maeve, how Elheart kidnapped her and then built the salt barrier.
“So that’s why I’m here,” I explain. “She was my handmaid at the inn, so I know there’s a way to get her out, but Tauren’s soldiers can’t find it. If I can find her in here, then she can show me the way out and I can take her home to Tauren, to her family.”
Blossom chews her lip, nodding. “She’s a sweet girl. We’ll help you get her out, then we’ll go home together.”
“Blossom…” A swallow lodges in my throat. “You know I can’t go home. Father will just?—”
“Father will have to answer to all twelve of us.” She lifts her chin. “I won’t tolerate what he’s doing anymore, Dahlia. Not after what he did to Ami and certainly not after this. There are eleven of us in the palace and Ami in Night Alley with her assassin. Together, we will stand up to him, and you will have to be allowed home.”
My eyes water. I don’t deserve sisters like this. I really don’t.
Still, there’s something else tugging at my heart. Something I can’t ignore. “I’m married now,” I start. “That means I should probably stay with my husband.”
“Dahlia, no,” Eden says. “You don’t have to stay with anyone.”
“Eden is right. Any vows you might’ve taken in his court mean nothing to us,” Blossom argues. “For goodness’ sake we’ll make Father build a salt barrier if that’s what it takes to keep him away.”
“Absolutely not—” Footsteps cut me off. Loud and urgent, right outside the door.
“You have to hide!” I hiss to my sisters. Gift or not, the guards weren’t supposed to leave us in here together, and if they’ve come back…
“Under here!” Eden yanks Blossom under the bed seconds before the door creaks open.
A relieved sigh escapes me. Maeve stands in the doorway, her hands clasped in front of her dainty gown. But then I choke on my sigh. Behind her, ushering her through the door, is the last lord I ever wanted to see.
“Princess Dahlia.” Lord Elheart smiles, placing a hand on Maeve’s shoulder. “It’s time we had a little chat, my dear. Wouldn’t you agree?”
29
DAHLIA
Itry to catch Maeve’s eye while servants follow her in with a tin bath, but she keeps her gaze to the floor. I want to run to her, let her know her brother is outside the palace waiting for her, but I can’t say anything with Lord Elheart breathing down her neck.
He only leaves her side to walk up to me.
