Page 47 of The Rebel Seer

But Eoin didn’t seem to know Rhys. He also didn’t seem surprised the king would find a bastard kid and drag him into his seemingly never-ending party.

Danny leans over, staring down at the stain on the floor. Red wine looks too much like blood on the white marble floors.

Dev waves his hand dismissingly. “Feel free to do whatever you like. We’ll have dinner late. I expect you to entertain me, son.”

Rhys turns and walks out, and I notice Bibi trying to sneak out as well.

“Bibi, I don’t think you should leave yet,” I say, my tone gentle because it’s time to start feeling her out.

My Bibi is an excellent spy. No one pays attention to her. No one knows she’s coming.

“Neil,” Daniel calls out.

Bibi nods and pulls a rag from her belt. “Of course, mistress. I will clean the mess.”

I get to my knees in front of her. “My name is Zoey, Bibi.”

Her big eyes glance at Dev, and she shakes her head. “I have no name. I am a troll and a servant. I serve the sidhe.”

Dev groans and turns away, staring out the window.

“Don’t touch anything, Bibi.” Daniel stands over us as Neil walks in. He points to the wine. “Smell that.”

My bestie frowns. “Polite much?”

“Smell that, please.” Danny gives Neil a nod. “Is that what I think it is?”

Neil takes a long smell.

“It’s metallic.” Cassie is next to her brother, standing by the door. She might not be able to change easily, but she has a wolf’s sense of smell.

Brendan nods, his mouth full of whatever the trolls left in the outer rooms. I note he’s got an apple in one hand and some cheese in the other. Wolves. I have no idea how Neil managed to feed two teenaged wolves.

Grief strikes. It hits in waves. Sometimes I think I’m fine and then I realize I didn’t feed my teenaged kids. I didn’t get to complain about them being human garbage dumpsters. I didn’t watch Albert cook for my babies and call him a kitchen god because he never complained.

I take a long breath. I can’t now. I have to push it aside and cry later when Danny and Dev can hold me. Now I have to keep moving. “Why would the wine smell metallic?”

Dev moves in, looking over Daniel’s shoulder. “Cold iron?”

Good for Bibi. A genuine smile lights my face. “Bibi, are you trying to assassinate the king?”

Bibi pales and takes a step back, running straight into Neil, who has the biggest grin on his face as she tilts her head and looks up at him.

“Well, aren’t you a little rebel, Bibi,” Neil says and holds a hand out. “High five, girlie.”

Neil adores my Bibi. And she’s got the biggest crush on him because as I have pointed out on many an occasion, trolls have no gaydar.

Bibi gasps and turns to run, but Sasha catches her, drawing her up and looking my way. “You know this troll, Your Highness?”

“I do.” I think it’s worth the risk.

Daniel moves in. “Bibi, is it cold iron in the wine?”

Tears run down her face. “My master will take you all down, and you will not see it coming. You will not know him. You can kill me but I will never give you his name.”

Neil looks at me, grinning. “You need to give Bibi a raise or she might assassinate you.”

“How do you all know my name?” Bibi shrinks back from me, and it hurts my heart.

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