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“Hmm. This would have been useful information to have when I’ve been busting my ass trying to locate some background on her,” Endora snapped. “Honestly, Zen…”
I settled back against the leather interior as the quaint city of Catalonia zipped by under Landon’s skilled driving. He knew these roads better than I did, my time spent in the city less and less these days except to go to and from the Council meetings. I never did get to enjoy the shops and restaurants as I once had.
My head turned toward the window, my eyes trailing over the sweet shops and restaurants, many of them new to my eyes now. The cobblestone streets remained the same, giving the old-world appeal that had never gone out of style, no matter how many centuries had passed. Being a suburb of a thriving metropolis, it clung to its antiquated vibe as long as possible.
“I guess that could account for her behavior,” Endora mused, but she didn’t sound convinced.
I internally vowed to speak with Mirielle over dinner when we met up later.
“She’s been through an ordeal,” I reminded the enchantress flatly. “She doesn’t need you adding to it.”
“She doesn’t need you in her head, either, Zen,” Endora whiplashed. My eyes cast daggers at her, and she instantly lowered her voice, recognizing that we were in mixed company, but her warning was clear. “There’s something off about her. I keep warning you, but you’re thinking with the wrong head.”
“And I keep telling you to bring me something solid, not some half-assed intuition. I know her. She’s in trouble, and she’s part of the kingdom now!” I retorted sharply. “I have always put Silverhold first, and now is no different.”
“Love makes everything different, you fool!”
I bared my teeth at her, and Endora flinched, realizing she had pushed me too far.
“Mind yourself, enchantress,” I hissed.
Endora inhaled deeply and bowed her head. “Forgive me, Alpha,” she said sincerely. “It’s my job to serve you, but you’re making it difficult if you don’t heed my warnings.”
I stared at her for a moment, wondering if her constant cautioning about Mirielle didn’t have something to do with Cyndella getting in her ear. “Is my sister’s paranoia rubbing off on you?”
Endora appeared offended by the suggestion. “Once upon a time, you would have sided with Cyndella on this, too,” she answered coldly. “Her hypervigilance wasn’t born from nowhere, if you recall.”
“What happened to our mother has nothing to do with Mirielle.”
“Maybe not, but you can’t fault Cyndella for being wary about her.”
I swallowed a groan. I’d been half-right: Cyndella was complaining to Endora. My sister had caught wind of our relationship somehow—not that we had been pillars of discretion. I regretted now that we hadn’t been more private.
The gates of the castle appeared, and I again turned my head toward the window, my mind slowly turning.
There was no way I was going to keep all the females in my life happy at this rate, at least not while Mirielle’s memory was still so shaky.
When I turned back to address Endora again, she had vanished, causing me to fully groan.
“Alpha? Are you all right?” Landon asked, stopping the car after the drawbridge.
“Call Jaylen and find out where Mirielle is right now.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
I didn’t wait for anyone to open my door and let myself out of the car, striding toward the entrance as my sentry guards moved to let us inside.
“She’s in the greenhouse still, Alpha,” Landon called out from behind me, but I had already been heading in that direction.
Mirielle’s scent guided me as strongly as it had the first day I’d found her in the caves, leading me inside the castle.
In less than five minutes, I was back outside through the rose gardens and heading toward the greenhouse. Sunshine fought to get through the stubborn storm clouds that seemed determined to linger all day.
The glass doors of the plant house were open, allowing the excess humidity through, but when I entered, I found myself looking for signs of life beyond the extending tendrils of hanging vines.
“Mirielle? Lacroix?” I called out, knowing that the workday wasn’t over yet. I headed toward the office, and when I neared, I saw Mirielle hunched over a pair of plants, her eyes half closed as if in prayer. Curiously, I stared at her, trying to figure out what she was up to.
“What are you doing?” I finally asked, unable to figure it out.
