Page 21 of A Lie so Pretty and Poisonous

Now, we waited alongside Gabriel outside the throne room to be called upon by King Torrish and Queen Mollah. I steadied my breathing and, more than once, had to remind myself not to wring my fingers. Now more than ever, I had to present as worthy to be in their presence and not some jittery commoner. Being human was already a strike against me.

“You look positively radiant in that dress, Rory,” Gabriel whispered in my ear.

His warm breath and proximity gave me chills, though I was not sure if it was good or bad. “Why, thank you, Your Highness. You flatter me.” I tipped my head and lowered my eyes.

A wolfish grin slid across his face. “Pink is my favorite color for a woman to wear. So delicate. So feminine. You wear it beautifully.”

“Are you to thank for this gown then?” I questioned.

“Maybe,” he teased with a wink.

Ugh.

I pulled a coquette smile from the depths of me but said nothing. Internally, I cringed.

Two large wooden doors of the throne room slowly opened, and I straightened myself, grasping Cora’s hand in mine. I heard her take a breath as I did.

A guard’s voice rang out in echoes. “Your Majesties. His Royal Highness and Army Commander, Gabriel Callum Harester, and two of his guests are here to see you.”

Gabriel palmed my lower back, seemingly his hand’s favorite resting place, and led Cora and me into a vast room. The signature gold-flecked white marble floors gleamed. Banners of dark blue displaying a white crest of an eye with a crown above it hung on each wall. A large gold statue of Themis holding chains in one hand and a sword in the other sat receded on a dais. Two thrones rested in front of the statue, and upon them were the King and Queen of the seraph continent. We stopped our entrance at the foot of the dais, and I curtsied into a low bow. Cora glanced at me and followed suit.

“Stand,” a deep voice commanded from the dais.

We resumed a straightened position, and I folded my hands in front of me as I raised my chin and looked directly upon the king and queen for the first time. King Torrish had dark, salt-and-pepper hair that hung in waves to his shoulders. His gold crown had an eye engraved on every point, inlaid with diamonds for the pupils. His icy blue eyes raked over my appearance. He was a handsome man, dripping in regality, and a stern look was etched on his face.

The Queen looked to be around my age. Hair of honey blonde was curled to perfection and almost sparkled in the light pouring in from the large windows lining the room. Or maybe it was from the golden statue beaming light off her hair that made it shine. Regardless, she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. A gold tiara sat on her head with sparkling inlaid opals. Large green eyes looked at me before landing on Cora. A soft smile curled on her pouty pink lips.

Gabriel spoke with confidence and propriety. “Your Majesties, may I present Ladies Aurora and Cora Alwine of Edenalee. They have accidentally crossed the threshing wall.”

How in the underworld did Gabriel know not only my full name but also my surname? I blinked slowly, preventing the surprise from reflecting on my face.

Queen Mollah directed her attention back to me. “What an interesting and frightening ordeal you two must have gone through. I do hope no harm came to you upon crossing.”

“No, Your Majesty.” I tilted my head. “We accidentally fell through the wall and awoke in a forest unharmed. Albeit a bit confused and shaken.”

“I would imagine so! The poor dears.” She looked at the king. “I didn’t know anything could survive crossing between lands.”

“They can’t. Or at least, they shouldn’t,” King Torrish interjected, eyes roving over me. “I wonder why you were spared. I will have you submit to one of my veracitos seraphs before I allow you to continue to stay in my castle.”

I almost blanched at his sternness. “Forgive my ignorance, Your Majesty. I do not know what a veracitos seraph does.”

“Their enchants can detect truth and lies,” Queen Mollah said gently. The sweetness in her voice was so at odds with the king’s hostile tone.

“You will submit to one now,” the king demanded, leaving no room for argument. Not that I would. I had nothing to hide.

I kept quiet, knowing anything I said might aggravate him further. Sometimes silence was better suited. A snap of the king’s fingers and booted footsteps pounded across the room as a guard walked toward us. I looked at Gabriel again, who kept his eyes on King Torrish and his mouth shut.

The guard stood in front of me with a rigid posture. “Begin,” King Torrish commanded.

A sense of calm washed over me. I wanted to tell this seraph my life story. I blinked, realizing that an enchant had been used on me. It was jarring, but I didn’t react.

“What is your name?” The guard questioned me.

“Aurora Alwine, but my friends call me Rory.”

“Are you human?”

“I am,” I said directly.