I kept my tone polite. I had to if I was going to survive seeing him. The only way to deal with this would be to treat him with detached yet kind indifference. I would have to begin treating him as I would any other fairy who I didn’t know or trust. Otherwise, my heart would break anew every time I saw him.
Kole’s face didn’t crack. Not even a little, but his eyes continued to burn. “Did you sleep all right?” he asked quietly.
“Oh, as calm as a babe.” I grinned so widely that it was ridiculous. “Best night of sleep I’ve ever had. Thank you so much for asking.”
His throat bobbed, and he took a step toward me but then stopped again. Harshly, he ran a hand through his hair. “Prim, please, I—” He growled quietly. “Gods, I wish I could explain. I wish I could return the Stone to you. I wish I?—”
“It’s fine, Kole. Seriously, it’s fine.” My forced smile began to waver, and tears threatened to sting my eyes. “You were just doing your job. I see that now, and I won’t hold that against you, but please, don’t talk anymore about it, and don’t pretend that I was anything other than your job. I’m holding on by a thread here.”
A flash of devastation rippled across his features, and his aura surged.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but I whirled away from him. My tears were threatening to choke me, so I didn’t speak further, and even though his energy waspoundingagainst my back, he didn’t say anything either.
I was about to return to the couch, but another knock came on the door.
It opened with a flourish, and Betsee traipsed into the chambers carrying a tray of food and tea. “Good morning, my lady!” she called cheerfully.
Normally, that warm welcome would have had me beaming and returning the pleasant greeting, but as had happened last night, my usual positivity fell to the wayside.
“Good morning,” I replied woodenly.
Betsee’s smile faltered, but just as fast, she resumed her graceful stride and glided to the table near the couch to place the tray upon it.
“I see that you’re already dressed.” When she beheld my drab pants and top, her smile downturned. “I was hoping to dress you in something a little nicer if that’s all right with you?”
I shrugged. At this point, I wasn’t sure if it mattered. It seemed that my life was no longer my own.
“But why don’t you eat first while I peruse the wardrobe to see what we have on hand.” Betsee pulled a tiny vial from her pocket and dumped its contents over the tray. A strange fog rolled over the food and drink. Startled, all I could do was watch as the fog flashed a green light.
“What was that?”
Betsee corked the vial and slipped it back into her pocket. “Truthfully, I’m not entirely certain, but I was told that I must pour this over any food or drink I provide to you before you consume it.” With that, she swirled away and headed toward the wardrobe.
“It’s meant to keep you safe,” Kole called from his position near the door. “The green indicates that your food isn’t poisoned.”
“Oh.” My thoughts shifted to Verin, that strange potion, and the mysterious reason for why I’d been locked in this room. My heartbeat tripled, and I stiffly sat down and poured myself a cup of tea.
“Would you like me to choose your outfit for the day?” Betsee asked as her numerous hands swished through the wardrobe. “There are several beautiful dresses in here. Most are day dresses, but some are so extravagant they take my breath away.” She pulled out a long eggplant gown. “Such as this one. I’ve been dying to see it on someone.”
I took a sip of the hot tea and tried to stop my hand from trembling. “Whatever you would like me to wear is fine. I don’t much care.” Betsee’s smile fell, and a flare of guilt fired within me. I softened my tone. “That eggplant gown is fine, and thank you for bringing me breakfast.”
“Oh, my lady. It’s my pleasure.” She kept a hold of the elegant gown, then moved to a dresser and began collecting underthings.
I ate methodically, more automatically than anything, and it was only when I was on my second piece of toast that I realized I’d been so caught up in the chaos of finding the Stone and returning to Whiteolf yesterday that I’d never checked in with my best friend.
I nearly dropped the toast.Oh Gods, Ree is probably worried sick.
I hurriedly made the mental connection with her. My magic scratched against her consciousness, and since it was so easy to find her too, IknewI was still in Whiteolf.
Ree opened her mind immediately.Stars Above, Prim, are you okay?She nearly yelled.
I winced and hastily swallowed my bite of food.Yes, I’m fine. Well, sort of.
Her sigh of relief billowed through my mind.When I didn’t hear from you after knowing you’d planned to go into Silventine Wood, I panicked and went to your house this morning, but Gwenery told me that you’d come back to Whiteolf last night but then were apprehended. And there was a strange male at their home with a huge ax strapped to his back. He made me stay outside on their doorstep. What in the realm is going on?
So much, Ree. So, so much.
I filled her in as quickly as I could. I told her every detail, down to the fangs that had appeared in Timith’s mouth, how Verin was suspected of being involved in his sickness, how the king and queen of our kingdom knew of me, how my true parents were still alive and that Gwen and Timith weren’t my blood relatives, and how Kole had betrayed me and given the Stone to the Council. I also told her of the strange, luxurious chambers that I’d been moved into last night and even reported about Betsee, who was currently arranging my clothes for the day.
