Page 42

“I have got you,” I said, hoping to draw him back to me with my voice.

Slowly, his gaze swept to mine. I watched the tension lessen in his face the moment his silver eyes fell on mine. “I don’t – like – him.”

“The feeling is mutual,” I replied, not taking my hand off him as we followed Zarrel. “But can you blame him, after what I did?”

What I’m still doing.

“I always thought the Creator’s teachings put forwards forgiveness as one of the highest beliefs.”

“It would seem Lockinge is not under the Creator’s guidance at this time,” I whispered, careful to keep my voice low enough for only Erix to hear. “The Nephilim rule in his place. Or Cassial’s ego-boosted position as Saviour, whatever that means.”

Yet more questions I had for Rafaela when I finally got an audience with her.

Before, the idea gave me some reprieve from my worry. Knowing people like Rafaela – kind-hearted and just – were looking after the humans would’ve been a positive thing.

I was beginning to believe otherwise.

CHAPTER 10

My heart was in my throat by the time we were escorted in front of two large double doors. I recognised them from when I was last taken here, iron cuff around my throat, my body under the control of Aldrick.

Beyond the great doors, I heard faint sounds from within. Not the stomping and chaotic calls of hundreds of Hunters, excited to watch as Aldrick turned the mundane into powered beings using fey blood. No. This was the soft chatter of familiar voices – people I’d once traversed the world to see, whom I suddenly dreaded to stand before.

There was no time to prepare myself before Zarrel threw the doors wide and exposed us to the handful of people beyond.

Althea Cedarfall was sitting on the lap of her fiancée and most esteemed guard, Gyah Eldrae. Her poppy-red hair sat piled atop her head, held in place by the rich bronze crown that signified her as the queen and last remaining member of the Cedarfall line. I dared not close my eyes for fear I’d see her family, swinging like pendulums in the wind with nooses around their necks.

Gyah’s golden eyes narrowed on me, and she patted Althea’s lap, who quickly stood and allowed Gyah to do the same. Both were dressed in the fire-red and amber tones of the autumn court, with gold dusting painted over their eyes and the insignia of the burning tree emblazoned on their persons. Althea had it woven in with ruby beads across her corset, whilst the symbol was stitched above Gyah’s heart into the structured jacket she wore.

“I hope I haven’t kept you all waiting,” I said, forcing out the humour to stifle the awkward interaction. Every eye settled on me, flaying my flesh to the bone.

My only option was to drop all worries and anxieties at the door and play pretend, so I did just that.

I was walking into a room of friends and allies, yes. But with every step, my soul told me I was a sheep entering a den of wolves, moments from being torn apart for answers to my actions these past months.

Zarrel, likely delighting in the obvious tautness, shut the doors behind us, sealing me in to face them all. Thank Altar for Erix, who kept close enough that I sensed his heat behind me.

Slowly, Althea drew her gaze from me to Erix, and back again. If anything, his proximity to me got closer.

“Robin Icethorn, it has been far too long since I last laid eyes on you.” Sitting poised in a chair opposite them was Elinor Oakstorm, smile lifting to the heavens as her eyes settled on me. “The anticipation of your arrival has been practicallykillingus.”

A nervous laugh slipped out of me as Althea and Gyah scrutinised me from the other side of the room. It was like looking at the closest people in my life turned strangers. Because that was the fact. I’d pushed them away to protect them, and here I was, about to face the repercussions of those actions.

The truth was not always the freeing concept people believed. It could also be damning. My secrets not only kept these people from danger, but also from getting close enough for Duwar to start manipulating them into his offer. After all, they were all fey and that was exactly what Duwar wanted in the first place.

Erix finally stepped back and let me walk headfirst into the viper’s nest. It took Althea a moment, but she gathered her skirts and copied me, until we stood in the heart of the great room, smothered by the grandeur of it.

“Hello,” I said, awkwardly.

She took me in, eyes sweeping me from head to toe. “You look thin.”

“Better than shit,” I replied. “I’ve been getting that a lot.”

Gyah watched on, always her most diligent protector. I caught her bowing her head to Erix; clearly the issue didn’t extend to him.

A soft, jewelled hand lay upon my upper arm. Through the cloth of my shirt, I felt Althea’s firm touch like a comforting embrace. “Itisgood to see you, Robin. I am… glad you came.”

“Me too,” I lied.