Page 171 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

“Sorry.” She steps beside me, but her attention never leaves the map, her lips twisting. “It looks annoyingly bland, doesn’t it?”

I glance between the human lands and the Fae Realm and nod. “It really does.”

She huffs and plants her hands on her hips. The sleeves of her loose blouse crease with the motion. Dirt smudges the white fabric. Green streaks stain her brown skirt. The fashion is similar to what I wore in Verdanthia.

“Were you gardening?”

Her brown eyes lift to mine, and that strange flicker of familiarity hits again. “Do I look that bad?”

“No.”

She smirks. “Liar.”

I laugh softly. “I’m not lying. I just recognize the signs of working with your hands, is all.”

I gesture toward her fingers. Specifically, the dirt under her nails.

She looks down and grins. “That’s right… You’re a healer. Working with the earth must relax your magic as much as it does mine.”

My diminished power bristles at her inaccurate assumption.

Be easy, I command.

The irritation eases, reluctantly.

“You’re from a southern village, right?” Hali’s attention slides back to the map.

“Verdanthia.” I point it out.

“Hm.” Her eyes dart between the speck representing my meager home and the stretch of land beyond the Veil. “It’s so far from the Fae Realm. How in The Mother’s name did you find yourself traveling with the Shadow Prince?”

My head snaps so fast, my neck twinges. “What did you say?”

Her steady eyes hold my incredulous stare.

“Relax. Rian knows I’m aware of his identity. Despite his best effort with that glamour.”

Heat flows into my fingers. I curl my fists, urging the weakened light to stay under my skin.

How many Virendrellians know Rian’s true identity?

Why hide his appearance at this point?

I open my mouth to speak but close it a second later.

This could be a trick. Or a trap.

Hali doesn’t move. Her hands remain on her hips, but her posture is relaxed.

She’s calm. Too calm for someone who knows the formidable Shadow Prince has infiltrated her city.

“You…” I pause, choosing my next words carefully. “You know Rian?”

“For most of my life,” she confirms with a nod.

My pulse thunders in my ears. “How?”

How could a woman born in Virendrell know the Shadow Prince from the continent?