Before I could react, Gideon stepped forward. In that soft voice, somehow more menacing than a yell, he leaned over Dev’s seat and said in his ear, “You will tell theladywhat you’ve heard.” Like a lion eyeing his prey, he stepped back slightly, still looming over the chair with that razor thin blade.
“Ah, alright, well...” Dev struggled to keep an air of calm. His nostrils flared and his fingers twitched. “I told you everything I know. There might be a lovely wedding or there might be a hostile takeover. I, for one, have bets on the latter.”
My throat seized up.
Knowing they were watching, I kept my face smooth and turned away. I couldn’t pressure him for any more information without raising suspicion. But when they turned back to Dev, I slipped out of the room.
Hurrying downstairs, I raced toward the bartender, trying to keep an outward calm. “When is Summer’s Eve again? I’ve... been out of town and lost track of the days.”
“You lost track?” He stopped cleaning and stared at me. “Lost track. I’ve never met a young girl who lost track of Summer’s Eve before. All the dancing and ribbons and boys. My own daughter’s been talking of it for nearly two months now.”
Blushing, I held my ground. “So, it’s in a few days then?”
He shook his head and snorted. “It’s tomorrow. Well, today really, considering the time.”
My lips parted. Today. We were at least three day’s travel from Hodafez... How was I supposed to get home in time?
“You gonna order anything?”
When I shook my head, he disappeared into the back.
I could scream with frustration. I had to get home. A half-formed plan budded in my mind. I sprinted back up the stairs.
King Amir would pay for this. He thought this would get me to marry him? Shaking with rage, I rehearsed what I would say, stopping outside Gideon’s room to stuff my feelings down until I felt numb—burying every stray thought and emotion that might give me away—before I turned the handle.
CHAPTER 36
Kadin
ARIE SLIPPED BACK INTOthe room and I exhaled. Gideon’s interrogation was thorough; the smallest details labored over, actions questioned, memories recalled. The Jinn didn’t take judgment lightly.
After pacing the room for a while, Gideon had told us to be still or leave. Now my men and I lounged against the walls, chairs, and bed. Illium even snored softly in the corner. I’d perched in a chair near the door without thinking much about it until Arie showed up.
As soon as she closed the door, she approached me, eyes on the ground, and whispered, “May I speak with you privately? I only need a moment...”
Despite my intentions to ignore her, I agreed, fighting the guilt that plagued me for how I’d treated her earlier.
