Already caught in the act. How could she deny it? She looked soguilty.
“I must speak with the two of you,” I said. I forgoed sitting, choosing to take a wide stance in front of their table.
“What about?” Arthur looked tired. He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Vara remained quiet and shifted in her seat.
“We know there’s a traitor in our midst,” I began. “Someone who has been ferrying information back to Gabby for months now.”
“Did you find out who it was?” Arthur sat forward, looking interested.
The innocence upon his face was clear. So he had no idea. How cunning Vara had to be, to keep this hidden from her mate.
“I’ve known for months, but I’ve failed to comment,” I said through clenched teeth. “I can hold back no longer. The betrayer is none other than your mate.”
Vara’s mouth dropped open in shock. I expected Arthur to pale, to realize the facts.
But instead, his face turned red as he jumped up from his seat.
“Are you serious?” he questioned. “How dare you—”
“I have evidence,” I seethed. “Vara became Emma’s handmaiden almost immediately after we were crowned. She had access to Kiara’s room, where she planted the doll that nearly killed her. She could get into Emma’s office, where she destroyed her hearthfire and left my wife weak, at the exact time Gabby needed her to be,” I spat. “She saved the others by leading them to the Hall of Wonders, but how would she know what to do and where to go unless she alreadyknewthe attack was coming?”
“Those are merely suspicions. They are not proof,” Arthur raged.
“Then why did she seem so confident when she sailed to the Spring Princess’ island?” I accused. “She acted like she knew the Spring Princess personally. She was far too confident on our journey to achieve the Seelie stone.”
“And how does that haveanythingto do with Gabby?” Arthur asked, throwing a hand out.
“I haven’t figured it out yet,” I said lowly.
Arthur let out a cruel laugh. “Because you’re a dullard. One who apparently loves spewing out false accusations before getting his facts straight.”
Arthur was blinded by loyalty to his mate, as I expected him to be. It was a fool’s hope to expect him to see the light.
I instead turned on Vara, placing my hands on the table and leaning in to sneer. “What did Gabby promise you, in exchange for betraying us? Safety for your children? To not take your mate’s life once she won the war? I demand an answer!”
Vara said nothing, but her lip quivered as I towered over her. Arthur’s hand was rough on my chest as he shoved me back. He came around the table and stood between Vara and I. “My mate ispregnant.I won’t have you upsetting her like this.”
He was quite a bit shorter than me, but his push had been rough. He was giving me a warming.
There was a creaking sound behind us as the door opened. Emma had finally caught up. She leaned against the doorframe as she said, “Arthur, I’m sorry. He’s not being rational.”
“You’re supposed to be takingmyside,” I raged. “How can you defend him when the answer is so blatantly staring you in the face?”
“This is an absolute mockery. If Vara was working against you, I would be as well. By accusing my mate, you accuse me,” Arthur hissed.
“And how do I know that you aren’t?” I snapped. “You have children and a mate to protect. Forgive me if I think you might sell your sister out to defend them.”
“If I wasn’t on your side, I wouldn’t be working my fingers to the bone, doing my best to learn how we can defeat Droga!” Arthur roared, and Vara cringed. He shoved me again, and I pushed him back. Emma’s face fell as she watched us prepare to trade blows.
There were hasty footsteps behind us, then unexpectedly, Jasper was between us. He must’ve been listening out in the hallway. He forced himself between Arthur and I, creating a wall.
“Jasper, get out of the way,” Arthur said as he struggled to move Jasper’s arm aside. “I need to belt this ballbeg!”
If Arthur wanted to fight, so be it. A couple of punches might get him to see reason, if nothing else would.
Jasper pushed the two of us apart. “If you two are going to do this, you need to go outside,” he insisted. “The books in here are too precious for you to ruin with your bickering.”
“He needs to admit fault!” I stuck a finger in Arthur’s face. “His mate needs to confess!”
