Page 137

The prince, perhaps seeing that I was trying to come up with an excuse, continued. “And of course, let’s not forget that you somehow got into my chambers by a hidden door. No, Neve. Things are not adding up. If you don’t come clean with me about who you are, I—I cannot help you tonight.”

I sucked in a breath. “But you promised already.”

“I did, and I always keep my promises, but there’s a first time for everything.”

A scowl overtook my lips as I glared at him. The prince, however, did not back down. He merely stared back, waiting with patient brown eyes.

If I told him the truth, Prince Vale would be within his rights to return me to the Blood Court. It would be easily enough done, depositing me into Prince Gervais’s care.

But would he? I wanted to think not. This fae had pulled me from the stadium and cared for my injuries by himself. He’d punched his brother for calling me a whore. He’d stood up to the king—for me.

Prince Vale told me he wanted to protect others and had already shown that he’d put himself in danger to do so. And yet, I hesitated.

Did I dare let another person in on my secret?

Did I have a choice?

If Prince Vale didn’t help me escape, I wouldn’t get far. And saving Anna and Clemencia, too, would be impossible.

Of course, I could still lie, but something in the prince’s hardened gaze hinted he would not be fooled so easily.

I licked my dry lips. “If I tell you, do you promise to help me still? You can’t go back on our plan?”

“If you tell me the truth.” He stood and walked to a desk on the far side of the room. “I have a ring that will tell me if you are. I’d like you to wear it.”

“I—why do you have that?”

He arched an eyebrow. “My family is royal, Lady Neve. We do not only deal with fae. Dragons, vampire, wolvea, and mages are all more than capable of outright lying—not just twisting the truth or omitting things like our kind can.” He paused. “And for all I know, you’re half fae. Maybe your other half actually gives you the ability to lie?”

He was wrong, but not far off. “I didn’t see one on Prince Gervais.”

Of course, I had not known to look, but I felt certain the vampire would not permit wearing one. He would take it as an affront.

“His ship was taking on water, a story confirmed by Lady Virtoris. Nothing about his story is odd, except that he seems infatuated with you.” The prince held out the ring.

A pregnant pause passed between us, in which I considered all the angles. But again, I saw no options other than telling the truth or flat out lying. With the ring around my finger, I would be discovered. But if I didn’t wear it, Prince Vale would have doubts, and doubts meant a chance he would not help me.

I had to take the risk.

Accepting the ring with a steady hand, I slipped it on my finger and looked up at Prince Vale. “As for how I got into your chambers, I told you there was a door, even showed it to you.”

“And I believe that. The blueprints and your story line up, though I’m still stuck on why the castle allowed you into a place it has denied so many? Can you answer that?”

“I really don’t know.” I shrugged. “I assume the castle was being nice, protecting me from Calpurnia and her gang. That’s honestly the best I can figure.”

His eyes drifted to the ring, which did nothing. What would it do if I lied? Zap me? I wished I’d asked, but did it matter? I had no intention of finding out.

“Alright then.” Prince Vale nodded. “The other matters? Why does the vampire prince watch you so? And why must you rescue his human?”

My heart began to race. My truth could change everything.

“I’ve already promised,” Prince Vale whispered, his face softening.

I wrangled my courage. “You’re correct in thinking that the prince knows me. And that’s because I’m not who I’ve said I am. I’m no commonborn fae.”

“You’re highborn? But that makes even less sense. Why pretend to be lower born?”

“I’m not that either.” I cleared my throat. “I’ve only been in this kingdom for a couple of weeks. Before that, I lived in the Vampire Court and was once a blood slave.”