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He appears irritated.Good, that’s what she wanted.I need to get rid of him. I need Bradwick alone.

“I have been informed you like things that taste sweet.” He began to pull cakes and sweets from the basket, laying them out for her.

She almost frowned. “How did you–?”

Bradwick gave a laugh. “I must be truthful. The court has been watching each of you, to inform me of things like this. You have been noticed eating sugar cakes at the high teas.”

He took it upon himself to feed them to her. She didn’t giggle, knowing it wouldn’t be convincing, but she tried to keep her smile.My face tires of such antics.

Then, something happened. King Bradwick leaned forward to cup her chin softly.

“It appears you have icing on your face.”

She knew it had been a ruse when he leaned forward to kiss her. The moment his lips touched hers, she froze. She hadn’t been intending to let him get so close, had no interest in kissing him.

His face was turned, and he made sure hers was as well.

Her eyes found Geryon over the king’s shoulder in her frozen moment. His eyes were wide, like he couldn’t believe he was witnessing this.

If he hadn’t reacted the way he had, she may have tried to find a way out of it. Instead, she squinted her eyes to give him a glare. She kissed King Bradwick back eagerly. She even gave a loud moan while placing her hand gently on his cheek.

Geryon’s nose crinkled as his hands clenched into fists. His teeth were gritted, a muscle in his jaw popping visibly.

Now she was deserving of his anger. She could see he was quite envious, and she broke away quickly.

“Why, your Highness, I do believe that was one of the most pleasing kisses I have ever had.” She wiped at the corner of her lips lightly with her fingertips.

Bradwick beamed at her compliment, just as Geryon stormed away.

Good, he is gone.Now she could finally read her poem to Bradwick in the hopes he would foolishly reveal where her sister was.All I hope is that she is alive.

Wherever she may be, Valerie was determined to find her.

With much frustration, Valerie sat in the dining hall with Bradwick, the other ladies, and the court. No matter how hard she tried, she hadn’t managed to get him to speak on the whereabouts of her sister.

She read her poem to him, as well as another she thought may help. They were gory ones, ones that would show her apparent hatred of Witches, especially corrupted ones.

Although it started a conversation about her kind, there had been no mention of her sister – even when she indirectly pushed.

Frustration bubbled inside of her. Valerie considered grabbing Bradwick by his shoulders to shake him while screaming to tell her where he was keeping her.

I have three days left, and tomorrow night is the ball.

She wouldn’t be able to speak with him tomorrow, and she wouldn’t be able to have such a conversation while they were surrounded by people in the ballroom.

Geryon was surprisingly absent during dinner. She barely noticed while she thought on her sister.

She didn’t feel unsettled. Valerie had other options to get what she wanted from him. They required the use of her magic, but she was becoming less concerned about that.I can access it anytime I wish.She would just no longer be cloaked.

Her eyes fell upon those in the dining room with her.Then again, it does not seem like anyone within the palace walls would be able to sense my witchcraft.

She’d assessed them enough to know they were all human, or at least she thought so. No one seemed suspicious to her.

It may not matter if I reveal my magic.

The idea made her smile to herself.

King Bradwick didn’t retire early this eve, not like the last few nights. She felt like he was awaiting something.I have not gained enough of his trust.He eyed her, only to eventually sigh and excuse himself.