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It grieved me to betray her.
In front of me, Mydera’s teeth flashed and eyes lit eagerly. “Well, in that case, my dear, we have a deal.”
“No!” Nicolette shouted, dodging suddenly into the tent. Snatching the flagon from my hand before I could pass it over, she clutched it to her chest and sneered at Mydera. “There’s no deal here.”
My heart dropped. A chill taking over my body, I demanded, “How long have you been out there, spying on us?”
Zipping me a scowl, she hissed, “Long enough to watch you try to hand over your most prized possession. Because of me. And I’m not going to allow it. I’m not going to Donnelly with them, because I’m not leaving you, so just erase the thought from your head. Right now.”
“Oh, but we’re no longer interested in traveling across the Vast Desert to Donnelly,” Mydera announced, seemingly amused as she glanced back and forth between Nicolette and me.
We shot her a startled stare and yelled, “What?” together.
“Why not?” I wondered. They had to go to Donnelly, so they could take the princess with them. That would’ve been my next request.
“Because of the flagon?” Nicolette said.
Mydera gifted her with an amused look. “No, sweetling. The flagon has nothing to do with it.” Her gaze settled knowingly on me. “It merely appears that there will no longer be a need for the forest mages to leave Far Shore after all.”
While Nicolette frowned in confusion, wondering, “Why not?” Mydera focused on the flagon.
“But I’ll still take your trinket there as payment, regardless. It’ll make a perfect addition to my little collection as it’s quite rare and worth a mint.”
“Well, I’m sorry. But you can’t have it,” Nicolette bit out, still hugging the flask. “This is Farrow’s, and he’s not parting wi
th it. Because I’m not leaving his side. I’m not going anywhere with your people. And I’m going to be the one to help him save his mother, not you.”
Sniffing, she squared her shoulders decisively. If her determination wasn’t so misplaced, it’d look spectacular on her. “So we will not be needing your services, and you will not be getting this,” she finished.
“Oh, princess,” Mydera said softly, shaking her head in disappointment. “If only you knew everything.”
Hearing the word princess cross Mydera’s lips, I gasped and surged forward, taking Nicolette’s arm protectively.
Against me, she shivered with dread. “What…” She paused, grappling for air before saying, “I’m sorry, but what did you just call me?”
Mydera narrowed her eyes. “Yes, I know exactly who you are, my lady.” Her attention veered back to me. “I know who you both are.”
This time, I was the one who trembled as I hauled Nicolette even closer. And sadly, I wasn’t certain if I drew her in to offer her comfort and protection or seek it myself, because Mydera could expose me right now and reveal everything if she so wished.
I could lose Nicolette in an instant.
Except I wasn’t ready. I needed more time with her. I needed…
Everything.
Heart beating hard, I stared the mage down as she flickered me a sardonic smirk. Aye, she knew she could ruin me.
“But I won’t use it against you,” she finally added, enjoying all this power she held over us. “So here’s what’s going to happen. Princess Nicolette will not be going anywhere with us. It’s never in a mage’s best interest to interfere with destiny. Ergo, you remain with your true love bastard.”
Nicolette flashed me a triumphant smirk, until Mydera added, “And you’ll give the flagon to me. I’ll take it in payment for the items I’ll be enchanting for Farrow.”
“But—” Nicolette started, only to receive a severe glower from Mydera.
“I said, I’ll take it in payment for the items he’s requested that I charm for him.”
I nudged Nicolette’s arm, encouraging her to comply. She sent me a mutinous frown before releasing a disgruntled huff and muttering, “Fine. But let it be known, I’m against this plan entirely.”
I granted her an honorable nod. “So noted, my lady.”
