Page 10

Chapter 10

A New Fantasy

P haris

Now it all made sense. The matchmaking glamour’s revelation.

The distinct feeling I’d gotten that Raewyn had heard my mind-to-mind communication, though I’d known it was impossible.

The things I felt when I was around her.

I was still reeling from shock, but Stellon was already off and running with a new fantasy.

“You’re right, Mareth. I might be allowed to marry a half-Elf. Either way, I need to find Raewyn before Father does.”

Turning to me, he said, “You know him—he’s just as likely to kill her as bring her back in chains. I have to go to her. Tell me where she is. Get me out of here so I can go to her and protect her.”

I shook my head. “This changes nothing. You know him, too. He still won’t allow it—especially once he learns of her parentage.”

Stellon’s face was red, and his clenched fists were shaking. “You don’t know that. You can’t keep me from going to the woman I love. I have to try.”

“Yes,” I said, “you do. But your best chance of being with Raewyn is talking to Father—changing his mind and getting him to stop this mad hunt. I’ll get you out of here, but your job is catching up to Father and making your case.”

“ You go to Father, and I’ll go to Raewyn,” Stellon argued.

“Be sensible,” I said. “He’s always been willing to listen to the Crown Prince. He has no use for anything the spare has to say.”

My brother didn’t even try to argue with me on that one, it was so painfully true.

“You go after him,” I said. “I’ll go warn Raewyn and her family.”

After another hesitation, Stellon asked, “Do you think you can get to her in time?”

“There is no ‘think’ about it. I will get to her in time,” I vowed. “I’ll keep her safe. I don’t want to see her harmed any more than you do.”

Trust me on that , I said to him silently.

Stellon studied my eyes, blinking his own a few times.

“When this is all over,” he said softly, “I’d like to hear about your journey with Raewyn.”

I slapped him on the shoulder, turning to go. “Good luck with the King.”

Taking my sister’s hand, I said, “Mareth, are you ready to play your part?”

She beamed up at me, practically hopping with excitement. “What do I need to do?”

“We’re going to need you to create some sort of a diversion for the guards, so Stellon can escape his confinement here. Perhaps you could—”

She interrupted in a perturbed tone. “If you’re about to suggest I go out there and bat my eyelashes, I should warn you… I have a python in my room who hasn’t eaten in a while. He’s particularly fond of brunettes .”

Despite my exhaustion and the dire circumstances, I had to laugh.

“I was thinking of something more along the lines of a buffalo stampede through the corridors—unless you can figure out a way to fit an elephant into the lift.”

She grinned. “Now you’re talking.”