Page 116 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

He clearly doesn’t accept my thanks when he says, “I apologize, Desdemona.”

The formality of his words isn’t one I like. I mimic it when I say, “I accept your apology, Prince Kai—” I cut the words off short. “If you’ll answer another question.”

“Anything.” He nods.

I keep my voice quiet. “What do you know about the void?”

His eyes go wide. Shit. At least I didn’t say Arcanes. “What do you know?”

“Nothing, really.” That’s the problem.

“Is anyone here?” He looks over my shoulder.

“There shouldn’t be, no.”

After scanning through the room, he says, “Supposedly, there were these creatures that fought during the Arcanian War. In the aftermath of the ruin, they left Elysia.” His soft brown eyes meet mine. “It’s a presumption, and I wouldn’t advise you bring it up again.”

Shit. “I won’t.” He nods his head, his lips pressed tightly together. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Kai takes a step back. “Yes.” Then he’s out the door.

Shit. Shit!

Where is Lucian?

I wait until Kai is long gone, then I go to Lucian’s suite, where I refrain from barging in and instead knock at the door.

Azaire has a lovely greeting. “He’s not?—”

“I need to talk to him,” I say, stepping past Azaire. “Which door is his?”

“Look—”

“Aibek?” I call, opening doors one by one, being greeted by the empty rooms.

“Desdemona.” Azaire puts his hand on the next doorknob before I can. Must be Lucian’s. “Stop.”

I face him. “Shouldn’t you be in class?”

“Shouldn’t you?” he says with a soft tone and subtle shrug.

“Do you know?” I mean, he’s the boy who made the kingdom less lonely. They’re close, that much is obvious. “Has he told you what’s really happening?” I demand.

Azaire shakes his head no, but he says, “Yes.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Brilliant.” I pull my hands through my wet hair. “Just brilliant. Aibek!” I pound on the door.

Lucian opens it with a bottle in his hand, smiling.

“We need to talk,” I say, but this sight has me feeling like I’ve lost the high ground I was just standing on.

“Do we?” he says like it’s humorous.

I step closer, into his space. “Yes.”

He stretches out his arms, knocking my shoulder with the glass bottle and chuckling. I step into the room entirely and close the door on Azaire. It takes me way too long to muster the courage to say, “I need your help.”

“You need me?” He sips his alcohol. “How endearing.”

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