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“Would you stop!” I grunted but relented to their requests, provided they had the healers come to my chambers. I didn’t want her to find the bedroom empty when she emerged. “I’ll meet them in the sitting room.”
“Fine,” Endora agreed. “I’d like to have a word with you privately, too, before Mirielle comes out.”
I waved Calliver off to find the healers, and together, the enchantress and I made our way into the outer room, closing the door between the chambers. I sat on the suede lounger, but she stood for once, her long floral gown swaying as she hovered over me.
“How are you feeling? What did they do to you?”
“Nothing,” I promised. “Thanks to Miri. She scared them off.”
Skeptically, Endora stared at me. “How did she manage such a feat?”
“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “But I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth.”
“Maybe you should,” she retorted.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means maybe you should stop thinking with your dick for a second,” the enchantress barked.
I tensed, sitting forward. “Why? Did you find out something else?”
Endora shook her head, and I scowled, settling back. “I really wish you’d stop doing that. You and your endless speculations.”
“It’s my job to watch out for you, Zen.”
“Then watch out for me. Don’t formulate conspiracy theories, especially when you’re fabricating them out of thin air.”
Endora frowned unhappily, my next question turning her mouth downward more. “Did you run her blood against the Registry?”
“Yes.”
My eyes widened expectantly, my buttocks rising out of the seat as I waited with bated breath. “And?”
“And nothing,” she replied, this time without drawing it out with her usual theatrics. “She isn’t married, nor has she ever been—or at least not that it’s ever been registered with the continent.”
My heart rate accelerated as I sat back on the chaise, a slow grin forming on my lips. Relief knocked the wind out of my lungs.
“You’re pleased?” Endora asked.
“Of course.” I realized the trap too late. “I want to know who she is. But…” I shrugged, my smile broadening. “At least we know she’s not married.”
“Let’s look at what we do know, Zen,” Endora said urgently, crouching in front of me, her ebony eyes serious. “Mirielle seemingly dropped out of the sky and into the Bellewoods without any indication of how she came to be there. The Order of Souls knows her and can be deterred by her—”
“That’s not a fact in evidence,” I countered quickly. “For all we know, they heard Calliver coming and worried about backup taking them down like we did at the castle.”
“The timing is a little suspect, isn’t it?” Endora insisted.
“I don’t understand you,” I grumbled. “It was your idea to keep her here in the first place, and now you’re acting like she’s not to be trusted.”
“I was never sure she could be trusted!” Endora exploded, rising to throw her hands up. “I thought it was better to keep her here where we could watch her. And I sure as hell didn’t expect you to start sleeping with her.”
I bristled and stood also, my eyes becoming slits. “I am more than ‘sleeping’ with her,” I growled quietly, lowering my voice lest Mirielle overhear. “I love her.”
Endora did not appear shocked by the revelation. “I know,” she sighed. “The entire castle knows that.”
Her brow rose meaningfully, and I wondered if she was referring to my sister, but I refused to take the bait. My feelings for Mirielle wouldn’t be guided by outsiders and innuendo. What I felt for her was real, suspicions be damned.
Calliver knocked at the door, announcing himself with the healer, and I turned to answer it, but Endora grabbed my arm. “All I’m saying is that you need to proceed with caution, Zen.”
