Page 184 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

Immediately, she lifts the glass in the air, trying to summon a server for another.

“Is everything all right?”

“It will be.” She lowers the glass and rolls back her shoulders. “Have you seen Rian yet?”

“No.” I pretend the fact doesn’t bother me.

“Then who escorted you here?”

“Anders. Which reminds me, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I—”

“Hello, Hali.” Anders appears in front of us, blocking the rest of the room from view.

The medallion centered on his chest gleams under the candlelight as he holds two glasses. He offers one to me and the other to Hali.

A dark-red color creeps up Hali’s neck, and she snatches the drink from his hands. “What are you doing here?”

I blink at the hostile tone, then take the drink Anders offers with careful fingers.

Anders smiles. “Ah, didn’t Elara tell you? I’m in on your scheme.”

Her eyes grow wide and swing to me. “Did you⁠—”

“You are not as sneaky as you believe,” Anders cuts off her impending accusation. “And you’ve known for many weeks that I’ve wanted to help you.”

Weeks?

“I don’t believe you,” Hali hisses. “And I certainly don’t trust you.”

“Then trust this.” He moves closer, his head tilted down, holding Hali’s volatile stare with an imposing one of his own. “I will do anything to honor my sister’s memory and preserve my family’s honor. And that includes getting my great-nephew out of here.”

Shock ripples through Hali’s expression, but her glare sharpens the next second. “Does he know that?”

“He will.”

“He won’t go willingly,” she counters.

“He won’t have a choice.”

I look between the two, curiosity rising with each word exchanged.

“Who is your great-neph⁠—”

A series of loud bells chime.

The music stops, and conversation ceases for a single breath before it billows into hushed murmurs with broad smiles and bouncing feet.

“Ugh.” Hali groans. “Here we fucking go.”

She tips her head and tosses back the crystal flute’s contents before shoving it into Anders’s chest.

The Mountain Fae takes it without budging, but the smile playing on his lips grows. “Have fun, Hali. But not too much fun.”

“Screw you, Anders,” she bites out, then loops her arm through mine.