“Why the hell not?” Stefan snapped.
“Because if he does, there will be consequences for him,” I said. “From Gabby.”
Stefan’s mouth dropped. “FuckingGabby? How much does she know?”
I held back. I could only tell Stefan so much. “Enough that she could have him thrown in jail. Or worse.”
Stefan went pale then. “You can’t expect me not to tell him.”
“Yes, Stefan. I’mbeggingyou,” I pleaded. “It’s the only way to keep Ethan alive.”
Stefan’s jaw popped. “You’re serious about this.”
“Gabby will do anything to stay in power. Taking Ethan’s life would be an afterthought to her. And if Ethan realizes I know he’s the Phan—”
“Don’t say it out loud,” Stefan said quickly. He shook his head. “Fine, Emma. I won’t tell him now, but sooner or later, he’s gonna find out.”
Stefan huffed under his breath before he growled, “I can’t stay silent forever.”
He left then. Guilt grew in my stomach. Stefan wanted me to tell Ethan the truth, and was upset when I refused to. How would he react when he found out I knew Andrik was harassing Delmare, and didn’t tell him?
I crept inside Ethan’s dorm again, to check on him. He was sound asleep. He was shirtless, the bottom half of him covered up by a blanket, concealing his missing leg.
Stefan had propped Ethan’s prosthetic against the side of the wall. I sat on the edge of Ethan’s bed. His hair was falling into his eyes— I stroked it back before giving a sigh.
I knew too many damn secrets. And one of these days, it was gonna come back and bite me in the ass.
Bad.
Chapter Eleven
Ethan
Ididn’t remember a damn thing about the festival, or the events afterward. Though I knew by the pounding headache I had the next morning it had been a disaster.
I also knew I’d made a mockery of myself, because Stefan had informed me how roaring drunk I’d gotten, and how Emma had to drag me home before I, the prince of fools, embarrassed the crown and insulted the monarchy by getting piss drunk in public.
I was such a fool. I wasn’t sure what Emma thought of it— I hadn’t talked to her since it had all happened. I hoped to the gods she didn’t think less of me.
We had a big hockey game that day we couldn’t afford to lose. I was still nursing my hangover— Stefan came in and handed me a potion as I got my stuff around.
“You look like shit,” he commented.
I chugged the potion. My hangover ebbed, but it didn’t go away completely. “I’d rather not speak of last night.”
Stefan gave a sarcastic sound. “Nor would I. Because as much as I love you, it’s not inthat way, and I’ve seen you in your boxers one too many times, my friend.”
“You insinuate something’s happened between us when it never has,” I growled. Both Stefan and I were as straight as boards.
Stefan wiggled his eyebrows. “The ladies like it that way.”
“Have you been telling sorceresses we’ve fooled around in an attempt to pick up women?”
“Perhaps before I met Delmare.”
“I hate you.”
“Hey, to the females of our species, two dicks are better than one. The girls today are freaks, man. Emma might enjoy a few fables of your own.”
