“Sorry folks there isn’t much food. Just fruit and a little bread.” Lacey said. “And we maybe have enough ingredients here for pancakes.”
“The girl can cook,” Maddie said, grinning. “Is thereanythingyou can’t do, Lace?”
Lacey flushed and kissed Maddie’s cheek.
“Sounds good to me,” Elira sighed, sliding into a chair. Maddie stepped up to her and handed her a small cup of herbal tea. I caught the look she sent towards the others.
“What’s this?” Elira asked.
“Moonthorn Tea. Something you mightneed. That’s all.” Maddie said, her eye flicking between us and the cup. “Trust me.”
Elira suddenly flushed in understanding. “Oh. Right.” She glanced up at Slade who winked at her. “Good call.”
Slade watched her with a smile I’d never seen before—especially as she began piling her plate high.
I watched Elira. In all the time I’d known her, I’d never seen her so calm. So at ease.
The images that had been forced into my mind—the ones that told the truth and the ones that lied— I was beginning to untangle them.
But one thing hadn’t changed.
I was still the outsider.
Still the interloper.
“Tell me you have coffee,” Leo groaned. “I haven’t had a good cup in days.”
“That’s because you puked most of it up on the boat.” Maddie said.
Lacey grinned and poured him a cup.
Only Caelen looked uncomfortable. “So, this meeting…”
“Do we have to talk about it now?” Leo whined. “Can’t we just be happy and celebrate the death of that twisted, power-drunk sack of shit for a few minutes. We should be throwing a godsdamn party!”
Phoenix rolled his eyes. “The queen’s expecting us.”
“I would like to see her,” Elira said softly. “I kind of missed her.”
“We’ll head out once you’ve finished eating,” Slade said, his voice low.
Her face lit up, and she leaned into him. “Still trying to fatten me up, huh?”
“If you’re still hungry, I’ve got something special for you to taste later,” he whispered at her ear, grinning.
Her laugh rang out—light, unguarded. It was beautiful.
Maddie hesitated, glancing between them. “Are we going to tell her about…”
“Kharith?” Elira supplied.
The mark on my arm pulsed—burning faintly, like her name had summoned it.
“We probably should,” Phoenix said.
Elira sighed and traced the gold medallion at her throat with a finger. “It would seem my mother and I have a lot to talk about.”
“She might know something,” Caelen said, eyes narrowing, thoughtfully. “Do you still have the book Phoenix?”
