Page 77 of Jeweler to the Blessed
Unable to determine if his struggle was lust or treason, I eased back.
His hand tightened on my hip, a slight pressure on my back leading me forward. We were partners in crime tonight. It was a reminder of why we were here. I needed an ally in all of this, and for some reason, I wanted it to be Hart.
The next words that fought to free themselves would tipthe scales. They would mean I trusted Hart myself, and not because my uncle or Ava did first.
I reasoned that he already suspected. We’d made eye contact during the king’s calm at the Cornucopia. Thanks to Alaric’s secrets, Hart knew I didn’t take youngleaf to prevent its impacts. He hadn’t asked me for another justification.
I wanted to give it to him anyway.
Still, I wasn’t sure I’d ever spoken the words aloud. Tentatively, I tasted them on my lips. “His power doesn’t work on me.”
Hart’s smile was sinful, as his hand gripped tighter on my hip.
In for a penny, in for a pound. “None of the Blessed’s magic works on me,” I continued. “The day Alaric disappeared, the day you were supposed to walk me through the Oldwood—I was planning to go to the Library of Linia to try to find out why.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
I wasn’t sure he was breathing.
“Because I can’t give Rodric the adamas. And now that the Glanmores know others in Alaric’s family can source it, I can’t leave. It’s too dangerous for my father.”
His hand slid up my side. “The real question, Chaos, is what will you do about it?”
I sat back, his challenge clearing my head. What wasIgoing to do about it? I wanted to run but couldn’t, not with my family in the crosshairs. “What about you?”
His fingers twitched at my side. “I’ve chosen my path.”
“Working with the Feared?”
He ignored my jab. “Using my position to get resources for those working against Rodric. You could … help.” His words were hesitant, and his grip loosened.
It was as if he hadn’t realized what he would say, as ifmaybe he had surprised himself. He was quiet for a moment. Contemplative. I got the sense he wasn’t waiting for me to answer.
His hand lay loose at my hip now. Sanity returned to my lust-addled brain. “The youngleaf. It wasn’t only Alaric you gave it to. You must distribute it to the Feared if it provides resistance against the king’s calm.”
Something like an idea sparked in his eyes. Its intensity would be alarming if I weren’t already spilling secrets that could see me killed.
He cleared his throat. “Yes. You could come with me tomorrow to pick it up.”
I wasn’t sure how that would help, but something in his gaze begged, once again, for trust. “Is this you calling in the bargain for Mother’s allotment?”
My words were a test, and we both knew it. He’d delivered on his deal with Alaric tonight. He had to have known I would eventually learn Mother was receiving the tonic.
He sighed. “You know the answer, Chaos. Do it or don’t—your Mother will receive her tonic.”
“Then why?—”
He shrugged and reached for his drink again. “This city had done nothing but take from you. Then, you were thrust into this position. With Alaric gone, you have no one to trust and a big decision to make.”
I laughed. “Blackmailing me was a funny way to earn my trust.”
His hand curled around my hip again. The slight pressure reinforced his point. “You were never going to trust me. Not with who I am and who you are. But I was happy enough to see your anger—to see you feel something.”
Stunned, I rolled off him and curled back in my original position to his right. “Why do you care what I feel?”
He laughed, but it was hollow. “What did Alaric’s note say, Ember?”
I swallowed thickly. He was changing the subject, but whether it was the use of the name or the new topic, I found myself responding. “The note told me Alaric intended to leave. Clearly, he expected me to find it before the royals found me.”
