Page 237 of Cursed Evermore

“Thank you, Your Grace.” I fought the urge to shudder.

“Tell me, how are you finding Galaythia?” His tone was conversational, but I sensed the calculation behind his words.

“It's wonderful here. There's so much to see.”

“Of course. Though I'm certain a mixed being of your mage background would have preferred to go to the Ravenwood Realm.”

“I do plan to visit as soon as I can. Once I get used to my duties here. There's a lot to learn.”

His eyes sharpened with interest, his smile never wavering. “I imagine so. And my nephew can be a handful.”

“I'm just grateful Lord Nightblade was kind enough to offer me a position in his court.” Though my nerves spiked, my mind was working overtime to weave in the story we'd agreed upon as seamlessly as if it were true.

“It is quite generous of him.” Dreynthor's grin was cold and calculating. “And tell me, what exactly do you do in his...service?”

His questions... Each one felt like a trap, designed to pull information from me. His probing eyes suggested he was searching for weaknesses. Forleverage.

My pulse quickened as I thought of an answer. “My apprenticeship covers quite an extensive list of duties. At the moment, I'm learning to harness my magical abilities in the best ways to serve the royal court.”

“And what type of magic do you practice, my dear?”

“Elemental magic, mostly.” I kept my voice steady. “Nothing too extraordinary.”

“Nothing tooextraordinary?That's odd. A mage would need to be absolutelyextraordinaryto work in the royal court. So, either you're being far too humble about your...gifts, or you're not telling the truth.”

Shit. I felt like I'd just been caught in his trap with mere seconds to think up a way out before he exposed me or the pressure forced me to yield my secrets.

“I'm just being humble, Your Grace. It's never a good idea to boast.”

“I'd agree with you under normal circumstances, but I suspect you're here for other reasons. You and my nephew seem quitefondof each other.”

My heart triple-beat then pounded against my ribs.Thiswas what he really wanted to know—how close Wolfe and I were. “I assure you, Lord Nightblade has only been a generous host,” I said carefully. “I'm simply grateful for his hospitality.”

Dreynthor's lips curved into a cold smile. “Is that what we're calling it?Hospitality?From where I was standing, it looked like something far morepersonal.”

Blessed Mother. What was I supposed to say now? This creep sounded as if he already knew all the answers to his questions and was taking pleasure in interrogating me.

“I'm not sure what you mean, Your Grace,” I lied, still trying to keep up appearances.

“Oh, I think you do.” The way he said those words made my cheeks burn. There was an implication there, something dark and knowing that made me want to flee from his arms entirely.

“No. Not really.”

The weight of his scrutiny pulled me under as he appeared to catalogue every reaction, every hesitation. His thumb traced across my knuckles in a gesture that was meant to appear casual, but this conversation was an interrogation disguised as polite small talk.

“You see, my dear, I make it my business to know everything that happens in my realm. And my nephew... well, he's never been very good at hiding his feelings.”

Dread pooled in my stomach, but I tried to keep my face void of emotion.

The music swelled around us as he guided me through another turn. I caught another glimpse of Wolfe. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides now. We were too far away forhim to have heard any of our conversation, but I wondered if he might by some stroke of magic.

“Wolfe has always been intense,” Dreynthor continued, spinning me with practiced ease. “Even as a boy, when he wanted something, he'd stop at nothing to get it. Quite ruthless, really. It's served him well in some regards, but it's also been his greatest weakness. Because he wears his emotions for the world to see. That's never a good thing.”

“It would not be wise for me to speak ill of my Lord.” I pulled in a slow breath, hopeful he'd change the subject.

“No. It would not be wise. But I would hate for such a lovely thing as yourself to be disappointed by expectations that can never be met.”

I gave him a narrowed stare. “What do you mean?”