I chuckled. “I think Koan wants to talk to you.”
Aedansmirked, kissed my forehead again, and left me with his lute. As he walked to the door, he unfurled his power and smoke rose from his body.
The elf had a sick sense of humor.
He threw the door open, and used his magic to make his deadly whisper fill the entire hall and room. “Nobody pounds on my door like that.”
Koan shoved him—actually pushed against his chest hard enough to knock him into the bedroom. “How could you kill her! She only ever did what you wanted her to. Complied with every ridiculous order—”
He cut off abruptly and froze—literally—midstep with his hands raised. Yellow magic surrounded him, freezing him midair. It was easy to forget the power Aedan wielded when he smiled at me nervously or bared his soul in a song, but then he did something like this—like freezing Koan with a thought—and I remembered. My cursed king had the powers of a fae prince and an elf king. His strength filled the entire room.
Aedan dusted invisible dirt off his chest and glanced at Jolter, who still stood in the doorway, shock and horror drawn across his face. Then the king shifted his gaze to Koan and released all his magic. “Peace, Koan. Callista is fine.” He pointed one hand at me.
Koan bent over, with hands on his knees, and blew out a breath. When he stood, he nodded at Aedan. “I’m sorry. I saw the ashes and assumed—”
Aedan waved the apology away. “It is fine. I am glad to know you are more fond of Callista than me.”
Jolter slipped around their conversation and gave me a massive hug. “We thought you were dead.”
I patted his back. “Not yet, though someone is clearly trying harder.”
Koan wrapped his arms around both of us, squeezing tighter than Jolter had, before turning back to the king. “The people I would have pegged as most likely to attempt a murder do not have fire magic.”
Aedan nodded. “I can only think of three elves besides myself who are capable of this kind of an attack.” His scan took in all three of us. “Acantha, Forten, and Shancy. It is possible there are others in Bridgetown or the other hamlets as well.”
Koan looked at Jolter before answering. “I can’t imagine Forten or Shancy doing it.” He glanced at me. “Forten loves you, and Shancy hasn’t ever said anything negative about fae or humans.”
“She is very deliberate in what she does, though,” Jolter said. “If she thought she might ever attack, she would be careful not to ever say something that would incriminate herself.”
“True,” Koan agreed, turning to Aedan. “What about your aunt? She doesn’t talk to anyone besides you, Mylo, and Fagan.”
“She is my primary suspect,” Aedan said, “though Callista has convinced me not to act until I am certain beyond any doubt. And you have just confirmed the small doubts I had about Shancy.”
“Typical,” Koan muttered, throwing me a false glare. “I expect she won’t let you do much once your doubtsareremoved.” I grinned at him, and he turned back to Aedan. “Does your aunt know she survived or are you hiding her?”
“I do not think she knows yet, though—” He turned to me. “She will learn within a few days. She comes here for meetings at least onceor twice a week.”
Jolter and Koan shared a look, and Koan said, “We’ll take you for the meetings. Just tell us when they are, and we’ll have our own meetings.” Koan’s classic humor-filled smirk scrawled across his face as he spoke, almost like he was threatening Aedan with his generous offer.
Jolter rolled his eyes, and Aedan muttered, “Flames help me. I’m plotting with villains.”
Koan laughed out loud. “Admit it, you love our villainy. But we’ll need to plan our guest list carefully. How many people know you’re alive?”
“Just us and Mylo,” I said.
Koan clicked his tongue. “Well, the secret’s out, then. Mylo will tell Corva, and she’ll tell someone in the greatest of confidences, who will pass on the secret. By the end of the day, the entire fortress will be talking about it.”
Aedan sighed. “It’s probably just as well. I think I’d rather flaunt their failed attempt in their faces and reiterate that I will be with you constantly now. Anyone who tries anything again can expect to die in the attempt.”
Koan and Jolter grinned, and then Koan bowed to Aedan. “Your Majesty, I do want to apologize for assuming you killed my friend. I should have known better, and I’m sorry.”
Aedan smiled slowly and extended his hand. Koan returned the gesture, and they gripped arms. “Koan. I am fortunate to have you in the castle.” He glanced at Jolter. “You and Jolter both. It is good to know we have a few people here we can trust.”
I sidled up next to Aedan’s side and slipped an arm around his waist as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “You two are my best friends,” I told Jolter and Koan. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Just call us the Fellowship of Fun.” Koan grinned like he’d discovered a new secret and then gestured between Aedan and I. “Does anyone else know about this?”
I grinned and shook my head. Koan elbowed Jolter. “Did you see that? Now we’re in the royal inner circle.”
