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"Right." Of course it couldn't be easy. Nothing about this had been yet, why would it start now?
"This is the real throne of the Autumn Court." She brushed the tips of her fingers over the back of it, apparently not worried about being pricked. “My father replaced it when he became High Lord. He said it was too uncomfortable."
"It doesn't look very comfortable," I said.
"It's not supposed to be. It's a symbol of our court."
"Is that your way of saying it's a chair, but no one is supposed to sit on it?" I asked.
She laughed softly. "Something like that. You have to want to be High Lord very much to sit in a chair like that."
"Or you have to have to be willing to change out the chair," I said.
"That too," she agreed.
"Are you sure you can't get the key for me?" I asked. Presumably she could go places in the palace without being asked questions, unlike me.
"I've lingered for too long already," she said. "I need to return to my father's banquet. I'll stay to say my good nights. As soon as I slip away, he'll check to see if the key is still there. Once he's left, you can make your move."
"How can I be sure this isn't a trap?" I asked. "You might be working for this faction you talk about, or you might be working for your father. He may be waiting for me if I sneak in there."
"He might be," she agreed. "But if he is, it's nothing to do with me. I can promise you that."
I wasn't sure if I could believe her promises, but she was forthcoming with a lot of answers to a lot of questions. Assuming it wasn't all a bunch of lies.
"You can keep searching for the key, or you can look for it when I said it was. When you find it there, then you might believe me. Since you won't find it anywhere else, it's worth a try. Right?"
"Those sound like famous last words if I ever heard them," I remarked.
"I need to go. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again. Especially if that handsome human is with you." She flashed a smile.
A totally irrational surge of annoyance passed through me. I knew she didn't mean anything by it, but Zared was mine. A part of my pack.
She gave me a knowing look, then slipped out the door.
I waited a minute or two, then followed her. I didn't know which direction she'd gone, but there was no sign of her now. Or anyone else in the corridor outside. Judging by the talking and laughter, the banquet was still in full swing.
I slipped back into the room I shared with Cavan without seeing anyone else.
29
Khala
"That complicates things," Cavan said.
"Just a little," I agreed. "I'm sure you have a plan."
"While I appreciate your faith in me," he said slowly, "you'll have to give me a moment."
I couldn't resist teasing him. "I knew I should have brought Ryze. He seems to know all about sneaking around. He'd be in and out of there by now."
"Do you want me to spank you again?" he growled.
"Maybe I do," I replied tartly. "Or maybe we can figure out a way to get this fucking key and get out of here."
"First that, then the other." He placed his hands to either side of him on the bed and pushed himself to his feet. "Come on then."
"You have a plan?" I rose to follow him.
