He politely ignored the sound. “It’d be an unofficial deal. No contract necessary. And I will honor our agreement in the meantime and reach out to my contacts, while I leave you in capable hands.” Turning away from the kitchen toward a new tunnel with stairs leading up, he added, “Just to reiterate, it’ll make completingyourend of the bargain easier foryouif you look the part.”
What?Needing to “look the part” made me want to back out, but it was too late. “How will you ‘honor our agreement’ and get any useful information in”—I checked the time on my phone again: 5:35—“an hour and a half?”
He paused on the first step, turning back to me with a wicked glint in his eyes. “If you’d rather, I could wait to look into where your family went until later tonight. Or more likely tomorrow, since the evening will go late.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“All right, then.” He nodded as if we’d reached an agreement and continued up the stairs. “I’ll go out and see what I can find while you get ready for the revel. Wear something you can dance in.”
“Dancing?” I hurried up the stairs after him. “Excuse me? I don’t remember you mentioning that!”
He glanced back but didn’t stop climbing the stairs. “I didn’t mention a lot of things.”
Fair point.
This time, he didn’t look back as he added, “I’d be happy to choose something for you to wear, if you’d prefer?”
His offer of answers plus a meal was honestly enough, but the possibility of him choosing something skimpy or uncomfortable settled it. “Nope!” I cleared my throat, trying to sound as nonchalant as him. “If you find out more about my family, I guess that’ll be fair.”
He dipped his chin in agreement, continuing up the stairs.
Under my breath, I muttered, “The food better not be cursed.”
If he heard, he didn’t deign to respond.
This will be worth it, I told myself, trying to believe it. Unfortunately, I didn’t know if that was true, but itwasmy only lead, so I didn’t really have a choice.
We stopped at a landing halfway up the staircase. There was a door on each side. Soren knocked on the left door. “Lore?”
The fox girl from earlier opened it with a grin. “Sorry I disappeared. I got the impression that you two needed space.”
My cheeks warmed.
“You’ve already met Foxlore,” Soren said, ignoring her insinuation. At least he ignored everyone equally. “She can help you find something to wear to court.”
“Ooh, you’re taking her to the revel?” Lore gasped, clapping her hands like an excited teenager. She and my sisters could easily be besties. In different circumstances, I’d probably like her. I shoved my hands into my coat pockets and frowned at the stone floor.
“I think Caius would like to meet her,” was all Soren said in explanation.
“Ah.” Lore nodded knowingly.
Glancing between them, I tried to read into it, but I had no idea what that meant.
“I’ll handle it.” She cheerfully grabbed my arm and pulled me inside. “She’ll be ready to dazzle the whole court in an hour.”
That set my head spinning.
Why would I need to dazzle an entire room of fae? Was that just an expression, or was she serious? Why should they notice me at all? What had I gotten myself into?
“Just one hour,” Soren said before I had a chance to land on a specific question. Reaching to close the door, he added, “Don’t waste it.”
“When do I ever?” she said, still holding on to my arm.
He leveled a look at her. “All the time.”
She laughed, letting go to elbow me. “Don’t listen to him. Soren’s too serious. I like to have a little fun on the way.”
Soren snorted softly under his breath but didn’t reply.
