“Honestly…” She exhaled as she slid her hands through her fire red locks. “No. I didn’t want him to go to you. We didn’t know who you were, or what dangers would await when you crossed the divide.” She shook her head. “Had I known it was you…I would have fought harder to keep him here.”
“Because I’m the Princess of Bailoc…or did you have another reason?”
“You’re the princess of our enemy. It’s why you all were hunted in the woods. It was what almost got him killed.” She squinted as the sun peeked into the dreary room.
I gulped. “Did he bring me here to restore the land?”
“Whatever reasons he brought you here are his. Why are you asking me this?”
“It’s just all…convenient, isn’t it?” I gripped the tea from the low table, chugging the hot liquid—letting it scald my throat.
“If you think he’s being convenient, you don’t deserve him. He’s risked everything for you.” She gripped her wrist tightly.
“You all say that, but what about what I’ve risked? What I will risk for him?”
Cora wouldn’t look at me. “I can't speak to what you’re willing to risk. You make those choices. I have known Lioran most of my life. He loves very deeply—his land, his people. He always puts everyone else first. I’ve watched him guard his feelings from everyone, including me, but he doesn’t with you.”
The lump solidified in my throat.
“What happened that suddenly made you question him?”
“I’ve been advised not to trust Lioran.”
“Did Pyrran say that to you? He will stop at nothing to take the throne himself. He always undermines Lioran.”
“No, Lord Elric.” The scent of searing wood lingered in the air.
“Elric told you not to trust him?” Her nostrils flared and her eyes narrowed. “What did he say?”
“He wants me to believe he loves me so that I will save the land, because it grants him the best future.” I struggled to repeat the words.
Her hand shook as she spoke. “Elric’s words…”
“Unraveled me.” I said.
“Why did you tell Elric about your magic?”
“I didn’t. I thought Lioran told him.”
“He wouldn’t have.” An uneven breath escaped Cora’s lips before they tightened.
None of it made any sense. How could Elric have known any of it? Cora couldn’t answer all of my questions. She didn’t make me feel any better at all.
“I need to talk to him.” I didn’t want to. How could I ask him any of it?
She nodded as she rose. “You seem to have already decided what you believe. I’m not sure my words have any merit, but I know Lioran. He isn’t deceiving you.”
I paused at her words. “My heart is broken from the thought of it.”
It didn’t have to make sense to her.
Fyn and I waited for council to end. Lioran would emerge from the two slender wooden doors that stood before us and thenjust maybe I would know the truth. The wall cradled me as exhaustion crept in. The council room slowly emptied.
Elric was among the last to leave the hall. “My lady, good to see you again looking so…refreshed.” He smirked.
Fyn’s hand hovered over his sword hilt as he stepped in front of me.
“It must be tiring having no magic of your own, Fyn.” He ran his fingers through his silver hair. “Always having to be at the prince’s beck and call.” Fyn’s glare sharpened. He watched the door. Even when Elric left us, Fyn’s stance didn’t waver.
