“I’m still trying to wrap my head around them assassinating her parents. How the hell did they get away with that?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know, but if the Elemental Fae ever find out, we’ll be going to war.”
“Is that why they kept her alive? Aflora, I mean.” He frowned. “Wait, no, you said it was because she’s bait?”
Yeah, that was how I’d phrased it to Zeph. “They want me to let her be captured.”
Tray grunted. “That’s never going to happen.”
“No shit.” But I wouldn’t mind going with her to meet whoever was behind the attacks. Not to fight him, just to find out his motives.
Because one thing had become very clear to me today.
The Council couldn’t continue to operate as they did currently. “Things need to change,” I whispered. “This isn’t the way to lead.”
Tray met my gaze, his dark eyes reminding me of our mother’s. He dipped his chin. “You have my support every step of the way, brother. Always.”
No hint of uncertainty, just unerring loyalty.
I didn’t question him, because I’d pledge the same to him.
“I just hope I don’t get us killed,” I admitted, feeling as if I had the weight of the world on my shoulders.
“You won’t,” he replied. “Something tells me that mate of yours won’t allow it.”
My lips twitched. “She’s a bit of a badass when she wants to be.”
“She’d have to be to put up with your bullshit,” he tossed back.
“Jackass,” I grumbled, but I couldn’t stop my grin.
Because yeah, he was right.
She put up with a lot.
And I sort of fucking adored her for it.
“So now what?” he asked.
“Now I pretend like everything’s normal and pray to the fae that Dad doesn’t find out,” I told him.
Tray gave me a look. “Sounds like a brilliant plan, mate. Top-notch.”
“If you think of a better one, I’ll be all ears,” I drawled.
He just shook his head. “I’m going back to bed. Something tells me I’m going to need all the sleep I can get because Dad said I’m joining you tomorrow for whatever discussion he wants to have.”
“Try to act surprised if he mentions the Quandary Bloods.”
“Trust me, that won’t be hard,” he admitted.
Yeah, I imagined it wouldn’t be.
“Oh, but there is one positive to all this,” he said, starting toward his door.
I arched a brow at him. “Which is?”
“You don’t have to mate that bitch Emelyn anymore,” he replied, clearly thrilled by the realization. “Silver lining and all that.”
