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Mack flinches, and I remember a second too late that her dad, Nick works in the PR department of the Summer Queen’s law firm. “Forget that. I’m an a-hole. Let’s focus on why I’m tucked away in the ILB’s house in some Faerie version of Sleeping Beauty.”
Mack glances back at the door before lowering her voice. “You were in the infirmary . . . until the Spring Court heir decided to show up.”
So that wasn’t a dream. Oh, goodie.
“I thought Valerian killed him,” Mack continues. “You should have seen—”
Mack’s words cut off as Eclipsa flounces into the room holding a cream-colored flyer. Silver and black zebra print leggings show off her toned thighs while a charcoal halter top flaunts her outrageous abs and cute belly button piercing.
A loose silver bun sticks out atop her head.
She winks. “It would take a lot more than that to kill an heir to one of the seasonal courts, especially Hellebore. I would know—I’ve tried a time or ten.”
Mack jumps back, her cheeks bright red. “Oh, I didn’t mean to gossip about your kind. I’m sorry.”
Even though Mack and Eclipsa fought together last year to save Valerian’s life, Mack is still instinctually terrified of the Lunar assassin.
I can tell Eclipsa wants to mess with Mack, but one scowl from me and Eclipsa flashes my bestie a begrudging smile, putting her at ease. “Don’t apologize. As long as you’re not talking about me, I won’t have grounds to kill you.”
I shoot her a look and she responds with an innocent shrug.
“Oh, I wasn’t, I would never,” Mack protests, talking fast. “It’s just—it’s all anyone can talk about right now.”
Well, fudge.
“It caused a scandal everywhere,” Eclipsa confirms, “including the Fae Courts.”
I twist the silky sheets between my fingers, making a mental note to borrow them before I leave. “So once again I’m the talk of the academy. Surprise, surprise. But why is it such a big scandal when the Winter Prince fights with Hellebore, but it wasn’t with Rhaegar?”
Sighing, Eclipsa sits on the end of the bed, reminding me she’s the only female in existence who can sit with her midriff bared and not gain a muffin top. “Because the Winter Prince invoked Nocturus when he fought Rhaegar. At the academy, royal Evermore are protected by powerful laws made by the council. Otherwise, age-old feuds between the courts would mean brutal fights and assassinations daily on campus.”
My heart feels like it’s permanently lodged in my throat as I ask, “And what’s the punishment for such an attack?”
“Unprovoked? If Hellebore takes it to the council, he could ask for recompense in slaves and property. If the Winter King decided not to pay that fine . . . there would be a trial.”
I exhale. Valerian is already suspected of stealing the Darken’s soulstone. He doesn’t need more trouble with the Fae council.
Mack’s forehead wrinkles, the way it does when she’s confused. “But why would the Spring Court heir even show up at the infirmary knowing the Winter Prince hates him . . . oh.” Understanding brightens her eyes. “He was trying to make him react.”
Eclipsa nods, obviously impressed. “Exactly. Someone’s been paying attention in class.”
Mack practically melts from the praise, beaming at me with a look-how-smart-I-am smile, the show off.
“But why?” I ask. “What does Hellebore gain from constantly antagonizing the Winter Prince?”
Eclipsa seems to be searching for how to word her answer. “People are starting to notice the Winter Prince’s . . . infatuation with you. And now that he’s broken Fae law, it makes him appear weak.”
Weak?
“If you were another Evermore,” Eclipsa adds carefully, “especially a highly sought after female with lands and power, it would still be against the laws—but would be viewed more favorably in the courts.”
The hypocrisy boils my blood. I fist the sheets, not even bothering to hide my disgust. “But as a mortal slave with about as much value as a turnip, it makes him look foolish, right?”
“Yes, unfortunately.”
“But if they knew . . .”
My words trail away. I look to Mack, the urge to tell my best friend everything hitting me hard. But what would I say?
