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“What?”
Rick stared. Erin stared back.
“Interrogate me. While we’re at it, perhaps your witch can help secure the process with a magical spell or a truth potion too.”
Chapter 11
“You are requested in one of the court’s entertainment rooms, Miss Emerald.”
Emerald wasn’t used to the formality, especially when Jyss either acknowledged her rudely or didn’t acknowledge her at all. She glanced up. Sure enough, Jyss’s face looked like she would rather be anywhere else.
“If it’s to attend another banquet, I’ll wait for Rick—erm, the court prince. If it’s for a private party, I’ll pass.”
She expected that to be the end of the conversation and was caught off guard when a hand wrapped around her elbow and yanked her up. Thunderstruck, it took her a few seconds to wrench her arm off before she got dragged away. She gritted her teeth.
“I get that someone’s trying to force you to spend time with me to get rid of whatever prejudice you have grown up with—”
“Shut up. Not everything’s about you or me. And while I don’t get what they need from you, I will get you there despite your protests and hurt you if it comes down to it.”
Rigidity vibrated throughout Emerald’s core, taking it as a threat. Her energy awakened, even while instinct told her that it would be a very bad idea to let it out. Then she caught a glimpse of the emotion that Jyss was trying to fight, something she didn’t anticipate seeing in the woman: panic. Agitation. Just a slight touch of fear.
“What’s going on, Jyss?”
Jyss opened her mouth, looking ready to spew insults. Then the woman changed her mind and took a deep, calming breath.
“You are needed in the entertainment room.”
Someone who held a grudge like that wouldn’t just swallow it if it wasn’t important. Before she could analyze it, Emerald found herself already following the hastening woman as she was led to uncrowded paths and deeper into castle territory. Doubt set in when it got colder, the walls so thick with ice and glinting with life. They could snap around her any second now and swallow her into the wall, where she would be hidden and never seen again…
“What took you so long?” Bronco growled, glare directed at Jyss as soon as they spotted him. Jyss shot her a look but didn’t say a word. “They need help. I need to go. Jyss…”
“I’m here. I’m not leaving.”
It all sounded so foreboding. Again, before she could ask questions, she was ushered inside the door they seemed to be guarding. Emerald had a moment of anxiety that she was going to be locked up before her eyes adjusted to the room’s interior…and her mind was blown away.
Bronco slipped in, too, quick and efficient as he removed a slumped male Fae from a handful of complicated straps. He hefted the Fae over his shoulder and was gone from the room, leaving her with the only strapped person left: Erin, who was looking straight at Rick, who also kept his eyes on his sister while he peppered her with questions.
“Did you spike my drink at any point in your life?”
“Yes. When we were fifteen. You were being a jerk and it was infuriating. Your stomach hurt the whole day and you couldn’t join the trip that Father arranged. He was very mad at you.”
“Just one time?”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever made an attempt on my life?”
“No. That’s preposterous.”
“Were you aware of anyone making an attempt on my life?”
“No. That’s murder and a crime, even in our court.”
“What did you think when I left La Fleur?”
“I couldn’t believe it. I knew you loved your fun but I didn’t think you would just go off somewhere without telling anyone and ruin our parents’ legacy.” A pause, then, “I didn’t think you would abandon me.”
Awareness sank into Emerald’s bones as she took in Erin’s fervent voice and the dazed look in her features, a contrast that shouldn’t have made sense. Then there was the glow of a crystal device, dancing around Erin and illuminating the siblings until they were so achingly breathtaking. Because Emerald had magic and could recognize powerful energy when she felt it, she knew the intimate conversation wasn’t just a conversation—and just like that, she understood why she had been called.
