Erik stepped in, and Xenia collapsed with knee-shaking relief, catching herself on the desk. “Oh, thankfuck. How did you know I was in here?”
“This is where Father keeps all his secrets.”
Xenia glanced over Erik’s shoulder, hoping to see a one-winged male behind him. “Are you… Have you come alone?”
Erik frowned, sympathy glazing his dark chocolate eyes. “He’s determined to go through with the marriage.”
“Why?” Xenia wailed.
“He’s convinced it’s the only way to protect you,” Erik said, pulling the cuff from his pocket. “He told me to give you this. Said you need to get yourself to the Teles Chrysos in Akti. Give them the flute and the dragon’s name.”
Xenia’s head shot up. “How did he learn it? Did he hear from Tristan?”
Erik raised his palms. “I guess? Didn’t have time to talk through all that.”
“Tell me.”
Erik told her the name, and Xenia ran her hands through her hair. “I don’t even know where in Akti to go! How am I supposed to?—”
“They’re in a town called Lebaedia. He wants you to go there right away. He also told me to tell you he’s sorry.” His voice lowered. “And that he loves you.”
Xenia nearly snarled. Thefuckingidiot. Saying those words through his brother. Sending her away because he believed she was safer without him.
Had he learned nothing in Rhamnos?
She refused to let him leave her behind again. And when she saw him, she’d make him say those three little words to her face.
She turned to Erik. “Listen to me. Elodie Laskaris isnotwho she says she is.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I found a box of veiling potions in her room. She’s been masking her true identity this entire time.”
“If she’s not Elodie Laskaris, then who is she?”
Xenia frowned. “A female named Lizbeth Burkhardt. She’s the daughter of one of your father’s enemies from before the war. Arran killed her mother, brutalized her father and had him thrown in Tartarus.”
Erik blinked. “What’s her endgame?”
Xenia shook her head. “I don’t know. But I have a bad feeling you are all about to find out.”
Erik scrubbed a hand down his face. “The ceremony starts in ten minutes. What should we do?”
Xenia’s lips curved into a cold, cruel smile.
Cael had told her once that strength came in many forms. And a sharp mind could be even more dangerous than brute force.
She was ready to show everyone—Arran, Tomas, Phidion, Lizbeth—exactlyhow dangerous she could be.
“Go back out there and act like everything is normal,” she said to Erik.
“I’ve got a plan.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Cael could do this. Just put one foot in front of the other. He coulddothis.
For Xenia.
