I licked my lips. “Do you remember where we were the first day we met? That day Abel was chasing me in Whiteolf?” I only waited enough for him to nod in affirmation, then said in a rush, “There may be a capped bottle somewhere in one of the alleyways leading up to that place. Verin had given it to me that morning to drink along my journey. Do you think the Council could find it and test its contents too, to see if that potion from her room was in it?”
His eyes widened enough that I knew he understood what I was asking. Because if Verin had intended that potion truly be given tome, and not my uncle, traces of it would be in that drink. Then, the Council would know for certain if I’d been the intended victim all along.
“Yes,” he said in a clipped tone. “I’ll make sure it’s found.”
“My lady?” Betsee asked, peeking out from behind the screen. “Are you coming?”
I swirled back around to face the servant and forced a fake smile. “On my way.”
I strode toward Betsee, and behind me, Kole shifted. I wondered what was running through his head now that he knew there was a way to test if Verin had been trying to sneak that potion into my food and drink all along.
I glanced over my shoulder, but Kole looked distracted, as though he wasn’t even paying attention to what Betsee and I were discussing.
“You shall look magnificent in this, my lady!” she gushed.
With a forced smile, I stepped behind the privacy curtain.
As I was changing,I felt Kole mistphase out of my chambers, but he wasn’t gone longer than the time it took for me to dress. Ifigured he’d returned to the Imperial Council to report what I’d told him about the bottle Verin had packed for me, and he’d only stayed long enough to do so.
My heartbeat ticked steadily upward again. Something told me that warriors were already dispatched to that area of Whiteolf to scour neglected alleyways in search of that bottle.
Betsee finished with the final touches, then clapped her hands together. “Oh my, you look so beautiful!”
With a brittle smile, I tried to admire the elegant deep-purple gown that flowed over me like a waterfall. Every time I moved, the material shimmered, and the gems encrusted into its bodice caught the light, making the cloth sparkle and glow. The crimson lace beneath the silky skirts shifted and appeared every time I moved, like a flirt peeking out from behind a curtain.
The gown was fitted, the bodice rather tight, and my breasts were practically spilling over the top. It seemed like a bit much, though, and I regretted not requesting one of the simpler day dresses, but Betsee looked so pleased with herself that I couldn’t bring myself to say anything other than how lovely it was.
When I finally stepped out from behind the screen, Kole froze.
The warrior’s focus glued to me, and his attention didn’t abate, not even when I sat at the vanity so Betsee could do my hair.
His gaze burned, and I could have sworn his aura surged withwant, but just as fast magic on his wrist activated.
That same, strange magic I’d sensed before.
Kole hissed and instantly straightened, his focus shifting away from me, but all of it reminded me so much of the many looks and feelings I’d gotten off him while hunting the Stone.
But he’d still betrayed me.
A flash of pain filled me anew, but I tried not to think about him, his reactions, or his strange magic, as Betsee began to curlmy hair and pin up strands in an artful style that highlighted my cheekbones and made my neck appear long and elegant.
Once finished, Betsee clasped a jeweled necklace around my throat, then adorned my ears with matching earrings. She sighed in happiness and stepped back. “There, my lady. Do you like it?”
Despite everything, I decided then and there that I truly enjoyed the servant. If I’d been my usual self, I would have grinned at her in the mirror in return, but as it was, my smile still felt forced.
I turned my head every which way, admiring her work. “You did a marvelous job. Thank you.”
Still grinning, she patted my shoulder. “It shan’t be too long now until your visitor arrives. Sit tight.”
She left the chambers in a flurry of limbs, and when the door cracked, I didn’t see my nighttime guards. Only Kole remained.
Once Betsee had left the room, I stood from the vanity and approached the warrior, but I kept my distance, only going close enough so he could hear me. “Did you tell the Council about the bottle? Are they searching for it?”
His throat bobbed in a swallow. “Yes, it’ll be found today. We’ll make sure of it.”
I nibbled on my lip, and he watched that movement, but before I could ask him more questions, a knock came at the door, tentative and soft, and Kole’s attention shifted to whoever waited outside.
“Your visitors have arrived.”
