“It means I will always know things I was never meant to know. That even if I choose to live a lie, it will punish me.” I tried to keep my composure.
“What is your truth?” His steps grew slower as his eyes met mine. “What would you do if you could choose anything?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I said.
“The only time you sought to tell me the truth was when you drank the fae wine.”
“Please, I’m already embarrassed enough about my behavior that night.”
“I woke up before you did.” His voice was so quiet I could barely make out his words. Fyn was rarely quiet about anything.
“When I was…” I kept my eyes on every guard that lined the halls, speaking only when we passed them. “And you didn’t think to move me?”
“I couldn’t.”
“How gallant of you.” It felt so violating to know that he knew. “You said nothing of it.”
“You had chosen. And I promised myself I wouldn’t guide you to choose anything else.”
“I thought we were friends.” I blinked so my eyes wouldn’t water.
“I was never just your friend.” He halted at the bottom of the stairs.
Suddenly the truth became as threatening as any lie. It tightened around me in a way that the starlight couldn’t. I would have taken every annoying, destabilizing sensation it carried over this.
He knew how I felt.
He had to have known, but he didn’t act on it.
For me.
“He’s waiting for you,” Fyn said.
Every note the orchestra struck carried down the staircase. I held his stare longer than I should have as I tried to swallow his words.
I couldn’t think about them any longer.
When I reached the top I looked into the ballroom. Candlelight illuminated etched gemstones. They cast a glittering glow on the dance floor in the center.
“Princess Ashlyn.” Kilan was standing near the door.
I looked around for Novena, but I didn’t see her anywhere. “Is Princess Novena joining us this evening?”
“She is unwell and requires extra rest,” Kilan said.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Please send her my regards when you see her later.” I hadn’t seen her since we went to the marketplace, and she seemed fine then.
“I will.” Kilan pulled at the top button on his emerald tunic jacket. “Your brother asked for an update on the pact, Princess Ashlyn.”
“And what did you share?” Agan would have already solidified it if it were up to him.
Soren’s glare sharpened on Kilan when he finally reached us. “Are you boring her already?”
“Most likely. She’s yours to entertain now.” Kilan left me without an answer to my question.
“What did he say to you?” Soren reached for my hand.
“My brother has asked for an update,” I said.
