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A surge of anger ripples through me. Anger and shame. I’m angry because the thought of the prince and Inara being bonded for life makes me sick. And I’m ashamed because I shouldn’t care. If he truly is Inara’s mate, then I’m an idiot and a fool.
The crones chant something in Faerie-tongue. Then six creatures of light spring from the fire inside their wrinkled palms. Beautiful wings of shimmery iridescent mist open and close as the magical butterflies flutter toward the tables.
Two muted orange ones seemingly made from autumnal leaves break off in search of their choices. Two vibrant iris-purple butterflies swirl and dive.
But the last two . . . they’re completely different. One has wings of silver, like strings of ice weaved into a delicate tapestry, tiny snowflakes raining in its path. The other is a vibrant green, its gossamer wings longer and more graceful than all the others. I have no idea what the colors mean—if anything at all. I’m pinned to the spot as I watch the sparkly creatures bob and dance over everyone’s heads. The first two matching pairs choose their students quickly.
No surprise, two Autumn Court mates are selected by the orange butterflies, and two Spring Court mates are picked by the purple ones.
So the colors do mean something.
A hand touches my shoulder. I look up to see Eclipsa frowning down at me. “Come with me,” she growls, ignoring the looks she gets from the crowd.
My chest clenches. I didn’t think Eclipsa would try to hide the truth from me too. I glance once more over at the prince, who won’t even look at me. His hands are splayed in front of him. I’ve never seen him so tense.
I slip from my seat, relieved that I don’t have to witness the act. This is a good thing, I tell myself as I follow after Eclipsa, rushing to keep up. The lie almost sticks.
When we get to the door, the attendant takes one look at Eclipsa’s expression and moves. She opens the door so hard it smashes into the wall. I take a step—
“Wait.” Cronus’s voice booms over the banquet.
Somehow, I know he’s talking to me. And that turning around will change everything.
The panic in Eclipsa’s eyes sets me on edge. I’ve never seen her even mildly upset.
That’s when I notice the total silence. Not like before, when the room was quiet but there was still the normal background symphony of tinkling silverware and murmurs and chairs squeaking over the parquet floor.
This is the kind of silence that permeates every cell of your being. The kind you remember for years to come.
Slowly, I turn to face Cronus. My heart is battering against my breastbone like a scared rabbit trying to escape its cage. If only I could let it out. Maybe then the chaos of emotions ravaging my insides would quiet.
Cronus has left the stage and stands a few feet away. His face looks as confused as mine. But there’s also terror in his expression.
“No,” he whispers, more to himself than anyone.
What is happening? My gaze darts around the room. Mack sits to my left at a table with Basil. Her hand is slapped over her mouth. Inara has lurched to her feet, her chair knocked violently back behind her. Her face is flushed with rage, her nostrils flared and chest heaving for each breath.
Her perfect face looks seconds from crumpling, like a puffed up pastry just out of the oven.
Her parents are there, two gorgeous Winter Fae dressed in ivory furs and weighed down in silver jewelry. Their faces are twin expressions of rage, and her father trains his outrage on the Winter King.
Inara’s mother whispers something in her husband’s ear, and then they slowly all turn their rage on me.
If not for the crowd, I’m fairly certain they would murder me where I stand.
But why? And why is everyone staring at me?
No, not at me. Above me.
I force my eyes up, knowing what I will see.
Please no. Please no. Please—
When I spot the gorgeous green butterfly hovering just above my head, my mind goes blank. Literally just stops functioning for a hot second.
Cronus turns his head to face the crones. “There has been a mistake.”
A mistake. Yes, a mistake!
