She answered, “No.”
“Do you trust him with that information?”
“Also, no.”
We stared at each other for a long moment, and I allowed my features to soften. “He doesn’t seem so bad,” I tried.
She waved my words away with a hand as she straightened.
“I will not tell anyone,” I committed. It was not my news to share.
“So, what are we to do now?” The High Enchantress of the Central Corridor’s shoulders were held tall, and her eyes were lit with determination.
My smile deepened. “Tonight, we welcome you to your Corridor.Thatis long overdue. My people need to know you, to trust you. I apologize in advance for the grandeur and pomp.”
“And tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow, we prepare for an inevitable attack on this city. Andifthat golden-haired bitch truly comes to claim you, claim my city, we will be ready for her. Together.”
Chapter25
Asterie
Fenris can claim my mother’s debt.
I was still reeling from the revelation when I reentered the palace. My hands shook, and my heart pounded.
The halls of the Central Court were decorated with large arrangements of moonflowers—their white petals contrasting beautifully with rich blue wallpaper. Emmerick found me there, dusting the cobwebs from my dress hem too aggressively.
A cacophony of joyful sounds echoed down the hall from where guests entered and greeted one another. The nobles were entering the palace—I was somehow meant to endear myself to them.“My people need to know you,”Sybilla had said.Her people needed to know I was no threat to them. I needed to remain calm and not give them a fire show so early in the evening.Count backward.
“Asterie.” Emmerick’s eyes trailed down me, not lingering too long anywhere in particular but looking appreciative. “You clean up nicely.”
The tone of surprise made the edges of my mouth rise, and his voice grounded me. “You’re surprised.”
“I’m sorry. That’s not how I meant it. I’ve just only ever seen you in robes and breeches—”
I asked, “So I was not beautiful in robes and breeches?” I reveled in the hole he was digging himself. This light-hearted feeling while joking with a friend was new to me.
“No! I mean, yes?” He ran a hand through his hair.
“Emmerick, I’m teasing you.”
His muscles relaxed before he held an arm out with a sigh. “You and the warlock will be the death of me.”
“Well, in your defense,Ihave only seen me in robes and breeches too. I didn’t recognize myself when Elsie finished with me.”
“Elsie?” he questioned as he took my arm and led me toward the courtyard where the festivities for the evening would begin.
“The maid,” I answered.
He shook his head. “Your maid’s name is Alice…”
“The other maid.”
“There was no other maid assigned to you.”
My blood ran cold. Emmerick must be mistaken. “Then I do not know who dressed me tonight. Her name was Elsie.”
