I laughed, partly at the prince, but softly said, “They do for me, too.” I may not have been yearning, but I think a part of me was always waiting to fall in love with Tolek. It was that part that breathed a new life now.
And when Lyria stood and extended her hand to me, I swore there was a bit of that life in her voice. “Come on, Revered. Let’s go eat before those scoundrels devour it all.”
Thanks to Harlen’s careful plotting, the inn in the twelfth, unclaimed zone in Valyn was empty except for our traveling party. It was poorly furnished and had one bathing chamber for the entire building, but it was private and convenient for our plans. With the scattered square tables having been pushed together, mismatched chairs, and creaking floorboards all bathed in the morning sun from the windows lining the front wall, it was actually cozy. The wear and ease a bit like the Cub’s Tavern.
Due to the quality and the ruse, however, the Engrossians were staying at a much nicer inn in the heart of the city. That didn’t stop them from seeking us out for breakfast. Having arrived in the early morning hours with my sister and Erista, no one was aware they were here yet.
Barrett stood proudly in the center of the dining room, hands on his hips as he looked over the group of us. Everyone was here, my sister and Erista noisily singing folksongs in the kitchen as they prepared breakfast. I smiled at the hint of normalcy she insisted on whenever there was a kitchen present. Cooking calmed her nerves.
When the prince’s eyes landed on Lyria and me, his grin widened. “I hear we have plans to discuss?”
“That we do, Your Majesty,” I answered. My heart inflated, traitorously daring to hope with each step of the plan that slid into place.
Barrett nodded, a subtle gratitude in his eye. “And I have someone to introduce.” He held out a hand, and a woman with dainty features and raven-dark hair falling to her curvy waist stepped around him, standing squarely in the center of the room. Round eyes swept over the scene, not seeming the least bit phased at the number of warriors staring back at her—or the fae. “May I introduce to you my promised partner and my oldest friend, Celissia Langswoll.”
Celissia sank into a curtsey, her hair swinging around one shoulder to reveal a brutal purple scar in the shape of an ax on her collarbone. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
“You don’t need to be so formal with them,” Barrett said.
Celissia’s gaze snapped up, a brow quirking at her prince and a soft smile puncturing her round cheeks. She folded her hands in the skirts of her dark purple gown and whispered, “I’m only attempting to play the role of a good and kind queen.” There was a joking reprimand in her voice that had Barrett rolling his eyes.
“Angels, you’re just like him, aren’t you?” Malakai said.
Celissia’s eyes sliced to him. “You must be his dear brother,” she cheered and Barrett barked a laugh.
“Dear brother?” Malakai echoed. “I’m going to need a drink.”
“It’s not even midday,” Mila snickered.
“Doesn’t matter.” Malakai stomped across the dining room to the bar, digging around the stocked shelves.
Tolek, lounging in a chair at the long table with Lancaster and Mora, notes spread before them, jested, “I love family reunions.”
“Me, too,” Barrett said. With a wistful sigh, he sank into an empty seat.
I stepped forward, holding my hand out to Celissia. Before I could even say hello, her keen stare landed on my North Star tattoo, then swept up to my magenta eyes. “Ophelia Alabath,” she said. “Revered of the Mystique Warriors.” Beside the bar, the door to the kitchen flew open and Jezebel marched through carrying a tray laden with bread and pastries Harlen had delivered. “And Jezebel’s sister,” Celissia finished.
“Observant,” I said with a nod of approval.
“Where I’m from, it pays to be.” As the daughter of an ambitious noble household, I understood what she meant. Most councils were filled with schemers, and based on what I’d heard, Kakias’s court was no different.
As more food was brought out from the kitchens, others around the room introduced themselves—Celissia watching the fae curiously.
Mila said, “Your father is Nassik, right?”
Celissia lifted her chin, her hair falling behind her shoulders. “Yes.”
No one voiced an opinion on the councilman, taking chairs at the table in a rigid silence, but Celissia’s hardened starematched both Barrett’s and Dax’s. Even Malakai, Mila, and Lyria appeared tense.
Finally, once almost everyone was seated, Lancaster drawled, “Who is Nassik?”
“He’s on my council” was all Barrett offered at my side. I exchanged a look with Tolek to my left that confirmed none of us were entirely trusting of the fae yet.
“And you don’t like him,” Mora stated, intrigued eyes flicking between us all.
Barrett scoffed. “That’s an understatement.” He looked at Celissia, wincing. “Sorry.” But she waved a hand to tell him to continue. “He’s the biggest opponent to my crown and one of the main reasons I have yet to formally claim the title, along with other unrest.”
He didn’t elaborate, speaking to the fried eggs on his plate.
