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His eyes twinkled. “The Seelie have some magic, but let’s keep that our secret.”
He took a step away, but I stalled him with what I said next. “I don’t understand why you’re being so kind to me.”
Lennox froze and then gestured to the guards. “Meet us farther down, please.” The guards dispersed and Lennox turned. He ran his hand back through his golden hair and shifted so that his face fell into shadows while the lamplight rippled over the rich texture of his clothing. “I grew up hearing about you, Lira.”
“Me?” I said, my voice coming high.
He hummed a reply. “I told you, my father knows your mother, gives her permission to live in the human lands and gain energy for her magic from them without reprimand.”
I curled my fingers over the scrape that no longer hurt. I’d always felt so guilty about how our magic worked. Even the gentlest form of it was using people. “That doesn’t explain you being kind to me.”
“I see myself in you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your mother has some purpose for you.” I parted my lips to speak but Lennox shook his head. “Please don’t ask me what, as I’m not privy to that information.” He shifted into the light so that gold gleamed over the pale color of his eyes. “You see, I’m a disappointment to my father but also his only blood heir. Like you. I’ve heard rumors of Palaria’s discontent in her daughter as well.”
I bowed my head.
Lennox patted my arm twice then dropped his hand. “I don’t say that to embarrass you. It’s just, I live the same burdens you have. I don’t question you wishing to run from your mother, because if I could, I would leave my father in a heartbeat.”
“Why don’t you?”
Lennox frowned, and he suddenly appeared older, wrinkles marring his features. I remembered the charcoal portrait of him laughing and carefree. Where had that man ever existed? “My entire court, all the Seelie Fae, rely on me. If I don’t accept the magic, all their powers will dilute in half.”
“I thought the Seelie didn’t like magic?”
Something clanked farther down the shadowy passage, and Lennox looked towards it before answering me. “It’s complicated, Lira. But I know my responsibility. My life isn’t just about me.”
“You must know I run from the same thing.”
“Please don’t take this offensively.” He twisted a ring on his finger. “Your mother’s magic presides over—what?—a few dozen sirens. It’s not quite the same as tens of thousands looking to you.”
I nodded, and he turned to walk down the curved stone hall. I hesitated a beat. Wasn’t it the same thing in a way? Yes, only a handful relied on me. They were each valuable, though. They didn’t choose to be sirens, to have their magic held by Mother or me. I’d justified my actions by saying they used so little magic, it didn’t matter, anyway. Maybe I was wrong.
The weight of that settled on me as I followed Lennox down the musty, tight corridor until he stopped before the only cell that held beings. All five looked up. Sai’s gaze seemed to burn me, but I refused to meet it. I didn’t want Lennox suspecting anything between us. That was the lie I told myself, at least. I didn’t think I could emotionally deal with looking him in the eye. Luz had told him to trust me, and he still shoved me out. He’d slept with me, but it was just a game, and I was a piece in his march across the board. A worthless chip, easy to jump over and discard. My body warmed in his presence and that only fueled my anger. He’d used me and I was a desperate girl still clinging to the idea of him.
Lennox raised his chin and his voice dropped into the authority of a prince, all the gentle uncertainty he’d unveiled with me slammed down. “Elisa, please step forward.”
Elisa gasped, and Neia pulled her in tighter.
Lennox cocked an eyebrow. “Is there no Elisa among you? Álainn wishes to speak with you and thank you personally.”
All five of them shifted to look at me again. Elisa unwound herself from Neia and stepped forward. I reached my hand out, but Lennox grabbed my arm. “Don’t. The metal is enchanted. It will drain your magic and hurt if you touch it.”
I stared at him. “It seems much of the Seelie magic is buried underground.”
Lennox frowned.
I was being rude. He’d brought me down here and had been nothing but kind. It might be more for easing his guilt than for my sake, but I understood. I appreciated his generosity. “Sorry. I just wish to touch her hand. Thank you for the warning. You’ve been so gracious to me.”
Lennox’s eyes seemed to whirl with thought. I made him doubt I had no connection to this group. It was time to turn on my stage presence because I had to sell this. I slipped my hand carefully between two bars. Elisa reached up and curled her fingers around mine.
“I wanted to thank you for how charitable you were to me. I was terrified in the forest, and you calmed me.” Elisa nodded, her pale skin glowing around her freckles. “It’s rare to meet such natural generosity, and I wish there was something I could do for you. Prince Lennox gave me the opportunity to come speak with you.”
“You’re very considerate,” Elisa said.
“I wish I could do more.”
