Page 26 of Tale of the Heart Queen

“I can’t tell you anything else.”

“So you’ve made clear.”

“What happens now?”

“You’ll remain here as my guest.”

“Your guest or your prisoner?”

“You’ll have some freedom of movement around the palace.” He sits back and folds his hands over his bare stomach, daring me to argue.

I straighten my shoulders and lift my chin, trying not to panic.

Three days. Three days. Three days.

“How long do you plan to keep me here?”

Cyan shrugs. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”

“Will you send word to Aphelion that I’m here, at least? My brother and sister will worry about me.” And hopefully they, along with Mael and Amya, will figure out a way to get me out of here. I just hope it’s not too late.

“Sister?” he asks, his gaze narrowing. “I thought you said you had a brother?”

Shit. I forgot I hadn’t told them about Willow. Too many things are happening, and I can’t keep all of my lies straight. I wince and then hiss out a stream of air.

“Oh, yeah. We have a sister, too. She didn’t come to The Woodlands with us, though.”

Cyan shakes his head, and I notice D’Arcy and Bronte share a look.

“I will find out what you’re hiding, Heart Queen. And if I deem you a danger to me or my kingdom, there will be consequences,” he says.

“Got it,” I answer because I’m not sure how else to respond. I believe him. He turns away, but I grab his arm.

“That message to Aphelion? Please?”

“I’ll consider it.”

I dip my chin, partly grateful that he seems to be a decent king but also annoyed that he’s keeping me against my will. Though if our situations were reversed, I’d probably do the same.

Before placing the glass still in my hand on the table, I clasp my hands in front of me. “Then return me to my room.”

“What about lunch?” Cyan asks and I repress a polluted laugh. Sure, sitting here being grilled by these three for another hour sounds like my ideal afternoon.

“I’m not hungry.”

Cyan and the others all exchange looks before he sighs and stands, walking over to stop before me. I look up into his deep blue eyes, hoping he can’t read the truth on my face. Maybe I approached this entire situation the wrong way and should have been honest with him. But sometimes I wonder if I even know how to tell the truth anymore.

“Very well. Let’s go,” he says before gesturing for me to walk. I nod at the two queens.

“It was so nice to meet you.”

Neither responds as I pass their seats, heading for the door.

As Cyan escorts me through the palace, we cross through the throne room again.

The Coral sits in its massive tank, and I eye it desperately, wondering how I’ll access it. I’m an adequate swimmer, but I have no idea what else lurks inside that tank. With those high, smooth walls, I’m not sure how I’d even get in there.

As we round the curve, I notice a male High Fae standing on the other side. He’s clutching a notebook and stares up at the Coral intently before scribbling in it.