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His point is ridiculous. I can see that it makes sense for him, but why did he have to do that? “Next time, talk to me. If something bothers you, tell me. Don’t trick me. Don’t deceive me.”
It just feels so awful to be caught in such a crude trick. And it was my fault for not paying attention, or rather, paying attention and yet ignoring what I noticed.
He’s still sitting. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
I’m getting worried that he still hasn’t gotten up, and I crouch by the fae. “Are you hurt?”
He stares at me, opens his mouth, as if to say something, closes it, then looks away. “I’m sorry.”
If he weren’t hurt, he would have denied it by now. “I didn’t know I was going to push you like that. I didn’t mean it.”
“It’s not too bad, my lady.” He grins. “I’ll be up in one minute.”
That’s a relief to hear, especially because then I won’t feel guilty for still being furious. “I’ll climb again, then. While you rest.” I need to get rid of this anger, this shame.
“No.” He’s getting up slowly. “Stay close. Just in case. Outside the island, I can’t let you out of my sight.”
I’m about to tell him he can see me on the rock wall, but perhaps it’s better to remain with him and check if he’s all right. And running from what just happened won’t erase it. I do need his trust, after all.
Nelsin’s standing in front of me, a hand behind his back, a subtle grimace on his face.
“Truly. I’m sorry for pushing you,” I insist. The truth is that I am feeling guilty.
His grimace disappears, replaced by a crooked smile. “It’s nothing!”
“I still shouldn’t push people. But you shouldn’t have tricked me.”
He stares at me, still with that glint in his eyes. “Fae sometimes need to test others, especially people who can lie.”
Test. What was he even testing?
My heart then jumps, aware of the answer a second before me. Of course. He and Ferer think their prince is in love with me, and I guess Nelsin would like to know if the feeling is mutual.
I can picture the cat-eared fae babbling to Marlak about how I jumped from the top of a rock wall for him. Oh, so much love! So touching! I have to stop this insanity before I even try to picture Marlak’s reaction.
“You can’t tell anyone about this.” My voice sounds shaky. I’m still trembling in anger and now I’m consumed by this new worry. “What happened here has to stay between us. Can you promise?—”
“My lady, a promise is?—”
“Oh, tell him, then. I’ll also tell my version. And it won’t be flattering.”
His head is tilted, examining me, his ears perked up. “Why wouldn’t you want him to know that you’re brave and reckless and wild? People often do acts of bravery just to impress others.”
“Impressing Marlak is the last thing on my mind.”
Then again, no, Astra. If you want to gain his trust, it’s a good thing. On the other hand, I can imagine Marlak laughing at my stupidity, at how easily I was tricked, laughing at my feeble attempt to rescue him, laughing because he’s getting the deranged idea that I somehow care for him. But gaining Nelsin’s trust is a good thing.
I add, “Let him find out who I am. Without tricks. And I’ll ask him to change your oath so that you can protect both of us. You have a good point.”
Nelsin nods, then I hear a vibration, like…
I stare at him. “I thought you didn’t purr?”
“So did I.” His eyes are wide, staring down at his chest, spreading his arms, as if to see if he can find the source of the sound.
Then I hear something whooshing beside me, and too late, turn to see a dart embedded on Nelsin’s shoulder.
Is he really going to trick me with another illusion?
