Page 17 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

Never had a half-Fae been in a leadership position, and with her reputation…

Jerking up, ignoring the sharp pain in her head, she stared at her friends with wide eyes.

This must be why the king had been so adamant she come to Ellow, that she make a name for herself until he called upon her.

But that was five years ago, and he’d mentioned recent events as the reason he needed her in the election…

Not that she thought it was beneath him to lie—but to risk this? Risk her being exposed as a spy, risk war? Something must have been going on for a while, something he was more afraid of than the bloodbath there’d be if humans and Fae once again became enemies.

Shuddering, she fell back against the pillows.

If he was having her do this, she’d need to find out what he really was looking for. If only so she could protect the people in this house, protect the land that had become her home.

She’d follow his orders.

She had to.

But he’d not explicitly forbidden her to do other things while she did.

“Regent?” Amalise stared at her. “I don’t know why I never saw it before, but I think you’d actually be a great regent. I mean, if you weren’t blood-sworn to the evil Fae king and all.”

She couldn’t stop the giggle this time, and soon Ardow and Amalise followed. All of them were gasping for air by the time they settled down.

Shaking his head, Ardow shifted so he could lie down next to her. “Lessia, regent of Ellow.” He nudged Amalise. “You’re right, it doesn’t sound so bad. But you know the nomination is tomorrow already?”

Lessia nodded, ignoring the unease churning in her gut.

It was better it was coming up quickly.

If King Rioner was concerned enough to risk war, she needed to figure out why fast.

And she’d need to be smart about it.Everything she was told by the regent she’d have to relay to her king. And if it was something that would put Ellow at risk…

She’d have to be careful with what and how she found out.

The sooner it was over, the sooner she would also be free. Would never again have to put her friends at risk because of the actions and choices that led her here. Would never again have to look over her shoulder for Merrick, or anyone else the king might think to send.

But they weren’t there yet.

Lessia cleared her throat. “I don’t think I can move. Ardow, can you please go get the leather folder that’s in the top drawer of my desk? I need to speak to you about something.”

His brows crashed, but Ardow got up and slipped out of the room.

Amalise immediately took his place, sticking her cold feet under the blanket.

Lessia wrinkled her nose. “Get those away from me.”

“Or what, you’ll pounce on me with that bruised body of yours?” Amalise smiled at her, moving her feet closer. “Nothing’s broken, by the way, and even though your face was all bloodied when you were brought here, it seems they spared it for the most part. But you’ll definitely be walking funny for a while.”

Lessia smacked her. “Who brought me here? I was—”

Apparently she could not even tell her where they’d been, and she nearly choked as the oath thickened her throat.

Amalise smacked her back, oblivious to Lessia once again being silenced, but then propped up on an elbow to look at her. “Some soldiers found you. They were kind enough to wrap you up in a blanket, but you were still blue when Ardow carried you up here. You nearly scared me to death, Lia.”

Cautiously shifting her arm, Lessia bit her lip not to grimace as she wrapped it around her friend’s shoulders.

“What is this?” Ardow barged into the room, the folder open and the papers in his hands as he stuck them under her nose. “Whatis this, Lessia?”

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