Fox smirks. ‘Think about it, Blaze. Think about who I am. The reputation I have. Now tell me, why would I want people knowing where my true loyalties lie?’
I frown as I dissect his words. He’s got a point, I suppose. Information like this could be used against him – or them. Not to mention that it would undermine the role he plays. All things considered, concealing his friendships actually makes a lot of sense.
‘How didthis –’ Flint gestures in their general direction – ‘even happen?’
‘Well,’ Spinner begins, ‘when I was young, I was selected by Empress Goneril to be playmates with Hal.’
‘He told me about that,’ I interject. ‘He said that his friends were chosen for him – junior Eyes sent to report back on his every move.’
Spinner makes a face. ‘As the Castellion Heir, the prince was kept under close observation, even at so early an age,’ she admits. ‘Only as time went on I found I preferred his surly younger brother’s company.’ Her grimace melts swiftly back into a grin.
‘And you?’ Flint says, jerking his chin at Sheen. ‘How did you begin rubbing shoulders with the Earth Cleaver?’
Sheen makes no attempt to answer. I might be imagining it, but I could swear my brother’s face seems to flush under the gaze of those eerie violet eyes.
I break the silence, glaring at Fox. ‘I’m guessing it’s no coincidence that they were assigned to be our chaperones?’
‘None whatsoever,’ Fox agrees, entirely unabashed.
I fold my arms. ‘That’s no better than the empress asking Spinner to spy on Hal.’
Spinner looks wounded. ‘I wasn’t spying on you, Blaze. It wasn’t like that.’
‘My grandmother always told me never to trust an Eye,’ I say accusatorily.
‘I just made sure you were safe, that’s all,’ she wheedles. ‘And I may haveoccasionallypassed along some gifts.’ She winks conspiratorially at Fox.
I shake my head, incredulous, recalling her words as I admired the dragonfly mask.
He must like you very much, you know.
Only now I realize she wasn’t referring to Hal. I try to scowl.
Flint is staring blankly at us all, as though we are speaking a different language. ‘Will someonepleasetell me what’s going on?’
‘Well,’ Flint says several hours later as I finish telling him everything. ‘That was unexpected.’
We’re sitting on a grassy verge, dangling our feet in the Creek.
‘It’s a lot to take in, I know.’
My brother huffs a laugh. ‘I’ll say. In truth, I’m not sure what I’m more shocked about – the fact that we’re part Mage or the reason why.’ He tuts, grinning. ‘Grandmother.My, my. Talk about skeletons in the closet. How deliciously scandalous.’
I roll my eyes.
‘It certainly explains a great deal,’ Flint continues. ‘You, mainly. What am I supposed to call you now, by the way? Om Shikara? Your Holiness? Goddess Divine?’
‘Oh, shut up,’ I say, splashing him.
‘Fine.’ He shakes his wet hair like a dog. ‘Then I’ll settle forYour Majesty.’
I feel my expression twist into a grimace. I haven’t given the whole becoming-queen business a huge amount of thought of late. I’ve felt so far removed from that future out here, and after weeks of freedom the image of the crown I hold in my head is beginning more and more to resemble that of an ornate golden shackle.
‘Enough about me,’ I say quickly. ‘What happened toyou? Spinner mentioned something about bandits andforest nymphs?’
‘Put it this way,’ Flint says. ‘I for one will be glad to return to civilization. Won’t you?’
I glance down at my feet, letting a curtain of hair swing between us. ‘Mmm,’ I mumble unconvincingly.
