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“She’s already promised that she won’t use her power,” Aryndia says, shoving out of her chair. “It’s unnecessary and borderline cruel. How would you feel being cut off from your magic?”
“My magic isn’t a curse,” Davick replies in a condescending-as-hell tone. “The only thing in the kingdom that even begins to temper her power is Iron Ice. There are trace amounts in the clasp. No more than the tiniest shavings diluted in the metal to prevent detection.”
“Are you really so sure she’ll never falter?” the queen asks her daughter. “You’ll be at the head of this table soon. You can’t show favoritism, not even for your twin.”
Aryndia paces the room, looking from her mother to the bracelet.
“What will you do if the Seelie learn what she can do?” the queen prompts. “Would you start a war to save one person?”
“She’s your daughter,” Aryndia hisses, clutching at her chest.
“I’m mother to an entire people.” The queen stands. “As you will be. Do you give her a gift to help ensure she won’t slip up? Or do you risk the chance?”
“I won’t be a part of this,” Aryndia says, storming out.
“That went well,” Davick says, frowning at the door. “Will she warn Alinelle?”
“No. Give her some time to come to her senses. They’ve always been close.” The queen’s eyes dart away from the bracelet. “How will we ensure it makes it into her possession?”
“Leave that part up to me,” Davick says, pulling on a set of thick leather gloves before lifting the bracelet and dropping it into an equally heavy sack. “I’m going to have it treated by an apothecary I trust. He believes he can fashion it to only affect those with skin-to-skin contact. Although, there’s every possibility it will need to be treated again in a few years.”
“That’s better than nothing. There’s an equal chance someone will notice once we’re no longer able to control who enters her orbit.” The queen sighs, shaking her head. “We’ll face that bridge when we come to it.”
“All of this could have been prevented. I did recommend barring her from attending the matching ceremony, if you remember.” Davick grimaces, as if he knows he’s overstepped.
“Allow one daughter and not the other? Can you imagine the uproar from the people?” The queen crosses her hands in front of her middle. “At this point, all we can do is mitigate the damage.”
My vision returns to the present. I’m shocked to feel my wife’s hand cradling my own.
My jaw falls, but I grab her arm, and she allows me to pull her into my chest.
“Did you...” My lips blow together as I contemplate how to ask if she witnessed what I did.
“Yeah,” she agrees, snuggling into my side. “I can’t believe I was poisoning myself for years and had no idea.”
Hex growls, leaning forward, but I shake my head.
Now isn’t the time.
I’ll fill them in later.
“There’s no way you could’ve known.” I kiss her forehead. “Any other fae would’ve died from prolonged exposure to the Iron Ice. Thankfully, your magic is powerful enough that you barely even noticed.”
“Come on, sweet fae,” Atlas says, coming to scoop her up. I guess he joined us while I was in the memory of the past. “Let’s get you home.”
“Which house?” she asks, blinking up at him.
“Whichever you prefer,” Atlas says indulgently.
* * *
We end up at Atlas’s house. Ali is unsettled and unusually quiet. The mood is somber for all of us. Not in my wildest imagination did I consider her family might be involved with the bracelet.
I don’t believe for a second that the queen or Aryndia had a hand in the attack on our wedding day. Meaning, that mystery is still unsolved.
Ali allows Hex to help her shower, but she retires to the nest instead of Atlas’s room. I’m just climbing out of the guest shower when Malice appears in the doorway.
I jolt, grabbing my towel.
