Margo gasped, but Ursula simply poured herself another drink.
“Based on the rumors, he deserves worse.” She tipped the bottle toward Emmaline in a silent offer before continuing. “But no, our dear Emmaline has finally seen sense and erased him from her heart.” She flicked her wrist in a theatrical flourish, as if she were wiping Caelith from existence with sheer force of will.
Margo’s jaw fell open before her expression morphed into a broad, delighted grin. “That is wonderful news!” She clapped her hands. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear it.” Then, with a wicked gleam in her eye, she added, “Though I wouldn’t have been too put out if something had happened to that horrible man.”
“You’re both the worst,” Emmaline mumbled into her glass.
“We’re just so relieved.” Margo took a third glass of faery wine from Ursula.
“Yeah, I’m getting that.” The truth of it settled uncomfortably in her chest. They had all tried to warn her—every single one of them—and she had ignored them.
Goddess, what an idiot.
“A toast to ladies’ night.” Margo held up the softly glowing amber liquid. “Let’s get the taste of Dwr Anwn out of your mouth, especially if you’re going to be kissing anyone tonight.”
Emmaline’s fingers circled the delicate stem of the glass, bringing it to her lips. As she swirled the wine over her tongue, her mind flashed to Deyric—his hands gripping her waist, his mouth at her throat, the rasp of his voice when he told her to beg.
“Thanks, Margo.” If her voice sounded a little too high, a little too rushed, neither of them commented.
“So spill!” The woman was practically vibrating, bouncing on her toes as she refilled her glass. “Who’s the new guy?”
“I…” Emmaline hesitated, the words catching. She didn’t even know where to begin. Did she tell them about the storeroom or the way his hands had felt on her skin? Did she mention the way her body had responded, the way he had looked at her afterward—not like a conquest, nor a mistake, but like someone he would ruin himself to protect? Did she even understand it herself?
She glanced up, only to find both Ursula and Margo staring at her expectantly.
She cleared her throat. “Shouldn’t we wait for Cassidy to get here?” The deflection was weak at best, but she latched onto it. “I don’t want to have to go through all of this twice.”
“Oh, well.” Margo pursed her lips, rolling her shoulders. “She won’t be making it tonight. Some mission far to the south. She couldn’t talk about it.”
Ursula and Emmaline exchanged a glance.
“Oh, yeah, that makes sense, I guess.” It wasn’t unusual. Cassidy’s work took her all over the Vale, but something about the way Margo said it felt… off. Cassidy never missed ladies’ night. Even Lara would show up most nights, too, trotting through the club with all the self-importance of a queen. Ursula had retrofitted the entire place to be Corgi-friendly just so she could.
“You don’t think she’s avoiding me, do you?” Emmaline scrunched her nose. “You know, because of… everything?”
Ursula took another slow sip of her wine. “Can you blame her?”
Margo frowned, shaking her head. “Of course not. It’s just a mission.”
But the words didn’t land quite right.
“I have to tell Lara, don’t I?” She sucked in a breath. “Even if nobody else ever finds out, I still need to tell her.”
Silence stretched between them.
Ursula looked away while Margo rubbed her temples like she had already played this conversation out in her head. “It’s hurting them, having a secret like that between them.”
Emmaline cursed softly, nodding, though the thought of Lara’s disapproval settled like a lead weight in her gut. Corgis were loyal to a fault, but they were also merciless in their judgment. And no creature in existence had mastered the art of the side-eye like Lara.
“Shite.” The word tasted bitter in her mouth. “You’re right. As soon as they get back, I’ll tell her.” She stared down at the orange liquid. “Do you think they’ll turn me in?”
“No! Of course not.” Margo’s hands wrung together, her whole body leaning forward. “Even though Caelith isn’t your mate, it was an accident. Lara will understand.”
Emmaline looked to Ursula.
“If the worst happens.” She topped off her glass as if discussing something as simple as the weather. “I’ll get you out of the city. Away from the Patrol.”
Leave the Vale?The thought sent a cold shudder through her. It was unimaginable. This was her home, her world, her entire life. Ellyllon did not often survive outside the Vale’s magical bubble, and even those who did… they were never the same.
