We’d lost. Did he really want to put the Arcanea through that again?
The people around Elijah nodded like dumb sheep. They didn’t care what Elijah did, only if they were considered favorable enough to share in his power.
I went to the other side of the room— couldn’t stand listening to Elijah blither on anymore— until I noticed Emma. Dammit. She was wearing those knee-length socks again, the ones I liked, along with a large blue sweater that acted as a dress. She looked so undeniably adorable I had a difficult time restraining myself from kissing her on the spot. She must’ve been waiting for me.
“Hey.” She reached out and caressed my hand, sending sparks through my skin. She sent a dirty look at Elijah. “Do you want to get out of here? I can’t take his bullshit any longer.”
“Gladly.” We grabbed takeout boxes and headed out. Elijah’s words were still burning in my ears long after we’d left the dining hall. We found a small alcove in one of the hallways, where there was an empty window seat. We curled up together and ate as we watched the snow fall outside.
We were in close proximity here, but it didn’t seem to bother us like before— we were fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle. I didn’t know how much longer I could continue to keep Emma at a distance without driving myself insane.
“How are you and Elijah related, anyway?” Emma asked, taking a bite. “It’s hard to believe you two come from the same family. You’re so different.”
“Lady Korva is my aunt. She’s my mother’s sister,” I said. “Both of them were duchesses before my mother became queen and Korva became a lady by marrying Lord Zlodia.”
Emma shuddered. “It’s awful you share blood with that woman. She’s vile.”
“I heard you haven’t been getting along.”
Emma gave a sarcastic noise. “That’s an understatement. Korva despises me.”
“She despises anyone that’s a threat,” I said.”You’re a powerful sorceress, Emma, and that scares her. It’s something my mother and she have in common, unfortunately.”
Emma frowned at the mention of my mother. “Your mother has some strange ideas, that’s for sure.”
“She comes from a long line of high-bred fae society,” I explained. “Old money, old power. She considers herself better than those ofinferior breeding. Doesn’t think people of various social statuses should mix.”
Emma wrinkled her nose in disgust. “The Arcanea are disgustingly classist.”
“My dad wasn’t like that. He was a peasant before he became king,” I said. “My mother had no interest in him, until he was rejected by his mate and the position of queen became available.”
I sat back. “She was very interested in bolstering her position.”
“You talk about her in a very blunt way,” she said.
I paused. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my mother. But I understand who she is, and lying to myself about her true self is a futile endeavor. She can be just as cunning as her sister, if she so desires.”
Emma nodded. “We already know she doesn’t approve of me.”
“Approve or not, she can’t change it now. The Choosing is done. You’re mine forever.”
Emma smiled weakly. “Got any other friends in high places?”
“Stefan has royal blood,” I said. “His great-grandfather was king before my father was. The last dragon monarch we had, actually.”
“Could Stefan be king, if we managed to overthrow Gabby and Elijah?” Her tone was hopeful.
I let out a sarcastic noise. “Stefan no more wants to be king than I want to be a jester. It’s too much responsibility for him.”
“Yes, but if he doesn’t want to be king, he could at least be a lord of the Circle,” Emma pointed out. “Which would be useful if we’re trying to stop Gabby and Elijah.”
“Lords and ladies are voted in, but...” I thought. “Stefan’s royal blood would be a significant influence. I don’t believe the council wants a commoner on the panel, regardless of what they’ve done or how accomplished they are.”
“I suppose they wouldn’t want me, seeing as how I have peasant blood.” She crossed her arms.
I gave her a sad look. “It would be very difficult for either of us to gain a seat on the Circle now, after what we’ve done.”
“WhatI’vedone,” she said. “You had no part in it.”
