Page 58 of A Lie so Pretty and Poisonous

“I could feel both of your embarrassment and then Cora’s guilt all at once! Before I could tune in further, Darragh shielded. But I don’t need my enchant to know that you positively flustered that man.” Anya waggled her brows.

My cheeks flushed again, and I diverted the direction this conversation was headed. “Let’s see who wrote me.”

My darling Aurora,

I apologize for being so absent. We are set back on course to find those horrid militia usurpers, and I hope that I am back to you soon. I keep thinking about you. I can’t wait to look into those gorgeous blue eyes once again and maybe steal another kiss from you, if you’re so inclined.

Your favorite seraph,

Gabriel

I didn’t mean to roll my hazel eyes so obviously, but I slipped. Anya searched my face, and I handed her the letter.

“I thought I was your favorite seraph,” she joked with a wink.

I plopped down on one of the sofas. “Ugh! He is trying too hard. I haven’t spent more than two days with him!”

“Gabriel can be…passionate.” Anya chose her words carefully. “He also is a nobleman who sets his mind to something, and nothing will dissuade him.”

I rested my head in my hands. “I don’t respond well to this kind of attention.”

She shrugged. “Gabriel isn’t used to a woman who doesn’t fawn all over him to gain his favor. Before you came to the castle, ladies practically threw themselves at him, the kingdom’s most eligible bachelor. Once you came here, he made it clear that they needed to stop immediately, and if they didn’t, he would send them to the atoner.”

My eyes widened. “That’s harsh.” I didn’t need to constantly look over my shoulder because someone felt threatened by me. I didn’t even want Gabriel.

“I wouldn’t be worried. Angheals regard Gabriel as a step below the king. If he, for one second, feels someone will target you, they will pay dearly. They want him but also fear him. Besides, they will have to answer to me as well, and I know so many of their secrets that if they don’t want me to tell everyone, then they need to behave.” Her eyebrow hiked up as she deviously smirked.

I giggled. “You’re a good friend, Anya. I have never had a friend in the aristocratic circles.”

“I am honored to be your first!”

I picked up the second letter and opened the note. The signature at the bottom made my heart tumble.

Lady Aurora,

My scholars notified me that you were unwilling to answer any of their questions and have not returned as promised to do so. You will go to the library today to meet with the scholars and answer all their questions.

We have been patient and understanding of your situation, providing you with safety and tending to you and your youngling’s needs. If you refuse to cooperate with my scholars, I will rescind my offer to keep you in my safety and good graces.

His Majesty, King Torrish

My stomach turned at the thought of being thrown out into the city streets with nothing and no one to help Cora and me.

Anya sat next to me. “Rory? You’re extremely nervous and have turned white as the moon.”

“King Torrish threatened to make us leave if I don’t go to the scholars and answer any questions they might have about Edenalee and me.”

“Everything will be alright,” she soothed, pulling me into a hug. “King Torrish can be quite harsh and direct. You just have to follow through with his command, and there will be nothing to worry about. I promise.”

The wind whipped through my unbound hair, galloping on a white mare owned by Anya. She insisted I borrow her when she learned Celeste had been lost. I didn’t tell her why she disappeared. That was a secret that I kept to protect both Darragh and me.

I couldn’t get dressed and out the door fast enough when Darragh came back to my rooms. Anya filled him in on the king’s letter and what I was required to do with my day as I put on warm clothes. Darragh looked positively livid when I came back into the sitting room.

“I’m sorry you have to be subjected to that scholar again, Rory.” Darragh handed Astorath’s reins to the young stable hand outside the library.

I released a breath. “I’m fine, but thank you. I feel better knowing you are here with me. I just want to get this over with. We could be doing better things with our time, like figuring out if humans or seraphs are going back and forth through the threshing wall.”

“I understand.” He lowered his voice and walked closer to me, dropping his face near my ear. “Let’s discuss it more afterward when there aren’t any prying ears listening to us.” He scanned the area. “Breathe, and let’s get through this.”