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“What would you need of us, sir? Do we need to contact Yvonne again?”
“No, but secrecy is of the utmost importance. Nobody can be tipped off to the nature of your task.”
“Of course, sir. I assumed as much.”
“Good. What I need you to do is try and dig up anything you can about the Shrouded Shriek’s past.”
There was a beat of silence as if both weren’t sure if they’d heard what I’d said. I supposed I couldn’t blame them under the circumstances.
“Given how long he’s been around, I think you’ll have more luck tracking down immortals who’ll have memories from when he first surfaced. Every villain needs an origin story, right?”
Darla clicked her tongue at that. “True, but immortals are also the trickiest to deal with. It’s good to have me along, Oren. You’ll be the brawn, I’ll be the brains.”
“I like to think I have plenty of brains myself,” my friend snapped back. It seemed like he was really relaxing and coming into himself. That filled me with a simmering warmth. After everything we’d been through together, I was so incredibly happy to see him pursuing things just for himself.
“Yeah, but can you walk through them?” Darla countered.
“Touché.”
As much as I hated to interrupt the playful moment between them, I couldn’t let myself get sidetracked. “You know, Yvonne might know something, considering the people she rubs elbows with. So, after you’re done for the day, you should swing by and ask her.”
“Then sneak some treats from her pretty lady,” Darla said dreamily. “Goddamn, that siren knows how to bake.”
There was a slightly acrid spike to the air, and my eyes slid to Oren. His face hadn’t changed at all, but I was sure the sudden bitter tint was from him.
Was…was Oren jealous of Darla sighing over another woman’s baked goods? Oh, I was absolutely going to tease him about that later.
“Well, let me secure these notebooks, then we’ll head out.” Darla, of course, was completely unable to smell the change in Oren’s pheromones since she wasn’t a shifter. “Wouldn’t want them to fall into the wrong hands.”
“No, we definitely wouldn’t.” I tilted my head toward them. “Best of luck.”
But before I could leave, Oren called out, “Uh, sir?”
“Yes?”
“I know it’s inconvenient, but if you could refrain from walking about the palace alone…”
I let out the slightest chuckle. I really was lucky to have the friends I had. In my position, every genuine soul I met was one to be treasured.
“I’ll make sure to have my entourage with me when I’m about. But for the moment, I’m going to check in on my mate.”
“Of course, sir. I’ll report to you tonight with any pertinent information.”
I gave him a nod and headed out, checking the hallway to make sure there wasn’t anyone to see me heading straight toward Ayla’s room. I knew I was playing a little fast and loose with us being secretive, but I wanted to check in on her. We’d already spent far too much time apart since coming to the capital, as far as I was concerned.
I should have known better though, because I didn’t even make it halfway to Ayla’s door before a servant hurried in, looking stressed, and wearing the particularly fine uniform I knew my mother’s personal staff were required to sport. I halted mid-step, knowing she had to be there for me.
“Your Highness,” the young woman said, tilting her head toward me. “Your mother wishes to speak to you. She’s just outside of your wing with her entourage.”
“She didn’t want to come in?”
“She mentioned you escorting her to the dining area so she might mingle with her subjects.”
My mother wanted to go to the royal version of what was the world’s fanciest cafeteria? That didn’t sound like her. Something was up.
“I’ll be out shortly,” I said. “I’ve just come from the healers, so I need a change of clothes before I go gallivanting about.”
“I will tell Her Majesty immediately.” With that, she gave a deep curtsy and hurried back out. I didn’t wait for her to fully exit from my wing before changing directions and heading to my room.
