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“Who are they?” Ackealenvyos tips his head toward us.
“Pay no mind to them. They’re simply here to do my bidding.”
“Why does she look so awful?” Ackealenvyos studies me with wariness before curling his lip at our old luggage. “And what is all that stuff they have with them? They look like paupers.”
“Again, they are not your concern. Simple servants.”
My eyebrows go up, and I meet Ellister’s gaze to silently convey my displeasure at the insults being slung my way. He slips his fingers around mine, raises my hand to his mouth, and kisses my knuckles.
A ripple goes through me from the brief contact of his lips.
Envy turns to Ellister. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Convince him,” Envy says, hushed.
“Oh, no.” Ellister shakes his head. “This is all you.”
“Me?” Envy grimaces, like the thought of doing any of the leg work himself is below him. “What will I say?”
“You’ve been preparing your entire life for this,” Ellister throws Envy’s own words back at him. “You’d know better than I would.”
Even though the guys are talking in whispers, Ackealenvyos can hear every word. That fae hearing is something else, and as he remains sprawled out, his eyes bounce back and forth from man to man while he wears an arrogant smirk.
Realizing they’re being eavesdropped on, Ellister beckons to Envy, motioning for him to lean in close.
Then he opens a vortex. A small one, about the size of a basketball, behind us.
They resume their huddle.
That’s when I realize what Ellister is doing. The vortex isn’t for travel. It’s sucking the sound away. Even though his mouth is just a foot away from me, his words are somewhat muted.
“Tell him the truth,” Ellister replies. “Or not. I don’t care. I’d prefer if you don’t tell him we’re from the future because that’ll raise questions we don’t want to answer, but it wouldn’t be a lie to say you’re a powerful wizard. Just let him know you’re positive he shouldn’t agree to any deal. You’re a king. Laying down the law is in your blood.”
It’s fascinating to watch Ellister play this man’s ego like a talented musician. Envy is bolstered by the compliments, and he nods. “Yes. Yes, you’re right.”
Ackealenvyos is suspicious and on-guard now that Ellister has displayed an unknown power. His grapes are forgotten on the chair, and his robe has fallen away. He stands in battle attire with his fists at his sides. A metal shield is strapped to his torso with the Day Realm emblem on it. His pants are brown leather, with boots to match.
“What was that?” he demands, squinting at Ellister like he’s an alien.
Dude, I get it. I’ve done the same thing, just for different reasons.
Envy joins his ancestor by the chaise lounge. “All will be revealed to you in time. But for now, your immediate concern is the princess.”
Ackealenvyos flattens his lips with skepticism. “Vetta?”
Well, if he’s on a first-name basis with royalty, it’s safe to say they have a close relationship going already, which might make it more difficult to convince him of any deceit.
I think of what Ellister went through with Eldyra.
Would he have believed anyone if they’d tried to warn him about her?
Even though it happened in the past—er, I guess at the point in time where we’re at, it would be the future—I’m still bitter on his behalf. Sure, her betrayal eventually sent him to me, but I’d still slap the bitch if I had the chance.
When I look at Ellister’s face, I see him gazing back at me with nothing but love.
In a moment like this, you’d think he’d be triggered by his own trauma, but he’s not. He’s only focused on me.
