Page 183 of Sky’s Edge

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” she declared. “But I’m in no mood to be good company and would request that you provide me with transport back to Nocturn immediately.”

“You are not returning to Nocturn,” Bainon growled from behind her.

She whirled on him. “I think you’ve had control of me and my emotions for long enough, wouldn’t you say, Your Highness?”

Oh dear.

I wasn’t sure he’d broken the spell, but he obviously admitted he cast it.

Bainon’s lips thinned.

“We all have a lot to talk about,” Aleksei said, and Aleece whirled on her brother. “But it’s late. We’ll do it tomorrow.”

“Oh yes, my dear, dear, dear brother, we have much to talk about.”

Annnnnnnd…

Bainon had shared Aleksei knew about her and the prince too.

“Right,” I pushed forward to get a handle on things. “Let’s get you to your chamber. Do you have a case?”

“No.”

“We’ll get you covered,” I mumbled, and Laura came with me as we bundled Aleece into the castle and up to her room.

Only when we got there did Aleece turn on Laura.

“Did you know?”

Laura’s face fell. “I’m so sorry, honey. Aleksei made me promise not to say anything.”

Aleece twirled away from her and stomped to a window, peered out of it, declaring, “I cannot believe this fucking shit.” She whirled back and snapped, “Spellbound. For over a decade. It’s unthinkable.”

It was.

I’d be just as angry as her.

I might even be angrier.

“I’ll get you something to sleep in and bring in my spa-visor,” I said. “I’ll see if the staff can unearth a Denti-Clean for you, or at least a toothbrush. Do you want a sleeping draft?”

“Oh no,” she said scarily. “I’ll be happily nursing my snit until the end of fucking time.”

Totally always liked this female.

Laura and I made ourselves scarce.

Well, Laura did.

I saw to the things Aleece needed.

Once she was settled, I checked on Gayle.

She was sleeping soundly.

Good.

I knocked on Laura’s door to say goodnight.