“You need to chill out, man,” Stefan said as we started back toward the castle. “You can’t get into fights on your first day back.”
“But he’s right, you know. I have nothing,” I pointed out. “My riches were taken from me, and anything of worth I had is now in Eli’s possession. I’m flat broke, and worse, I’m disgraced and shunned.”
“Oh, yeah.Somuch disgrace,” Stefan said sarcastically. “That’s why everyone is lapping up whatever you say like dogs.”
“It’ll only last so long. And I won’t depend on the charity of my friends,” I said as Stefan opened his mouth. “I need to find my own way in the world.”
My words were full of worry. I cared not for my own standing, but for Emma’s. How would I care for my mate like this? I had no title, was disgraced. Who would hire me? Emma had needs I had to provide for.
“You could always pull another Robin Hood. Steal from the rich to feed the poor— meaning, yourself,” Stefan said as we entered through the double doors of the university.
“I’m not going to do that. I’m done with vigilantism. It nearly cost me my life.”
Stefan scoffed. “Sure you are. You’ll be back out there within a month, I bet.”
“No. I need to find another way to help Malovia. That means finding the Crystals. I promised Emma her quest would come first.”
“Of course you promised,” Stefan said. “But I know you. You’ll get bored.”
Stefan swept down the hall before I could argue with him, and his words hung over me like a curse.
I was done with being the Phantom. That was in my past. But this feeling of rebellion hadn’t gone away. It’d welled up in me like a need, a desire to take action that nagged at me like a thorn in my flesh.
And the thorn was digging in deeper every passing day.
I ignored it. The annoyance would have to kill me before I betrayed Emma again. There was only one way to save the fae. Milonna had made that clear. I needed to behave, and be a good boy this time.
So why did it seem like such an impossible endeavor?
I wandered the halls until I found Emma. She was in her usual spot, a window seat near the dining hall. Her books were spread out in front of her. She must’ve gotten back from Enchanting, and was working on homework.
“I know that look,” she said as I approached. “You’re bothered.”
I scowled. “I got into a fight during class.”
“That didn’t take long.” Her tone implied she expected it.
“Zander goaded me. I fell for it,” I explained, and I sat across from her. “But regardless of how cruel his words were, they were all correct. I am no longer a prince. I have no title, no inheritance, and nothing to offer you. My cousin has taken all from me.”
Emma gave apshingnoise. “Do you think Eli can determine who and what you are? Names and titles. What do they matter? Nothing has changed about you.”
“Everything has changed. We are in more danger than ever before. That trial failed to humiliate me. It only gained me favor with the people, and made Eli look like he was losing control,” I told Emma. “The target on our back is greater now than in the past.”
Emma frowned. “So what do we do? We can’t flee Malovia.”
“We have to rely on our reputation. Elijah can’t kill us without drawing suspicion to himself, and right now, he can’t afford to look like an unfair ruler. After the disastrous way he handled the riots, he’s on the verge of a full-on rebellion.”
Emma tapped her chin. “I suppose even an accident would appear strange now, seeing as how he’s made his distaste for you so clear.”
“Exactly. But there’s still a risk he could make something up. Another charge, perhaps.”
It was what I was most worried about. Zander’s words contained a threat. The Circle wanted to use Emma for her power, but once they found out that she would not be used, our heads would be on the chopping block.
“He lost his chance to kill you legally when you won your trial-by-combat,” Emma pointed out. “If he makes something up to execute you, it shows the public— and the Circle— he’s insecure about his power. The lords and ladies of the Circle will start wondering if their heads will roll next, and look for a way to replace him.”
“Yes, but it’s still possible he could bribe them, or turn them to his favor somehow. Which means there’s only one way to save our skins.”
“I’m listening.”
