Page 22 of Destiny Redeemed
His lips twitched, breaking into that infuriating smirk. “I’m joking. I could share the details if you promise to help with the investigation.”
“How could I possibly help? I don’t know any—”
“Shh.” He pressed a finger to my lips. I swallowed hard. “Don’t try that with me, princess. We both know you have an uncanny way of knowing things you shouldn’t.”
I stepped back, my heart thundering. “I don’t—”
He held up his hand. “I’m not accusing you of anything.”
Well, that wasn’t reassuring at all.I wet my lips, choosing my words carefully. “If I knew anything that could help, I suppose I could try…”
“I have been investigating this illegal gold flooding the market since last year. At first, it didn’t seem that much of a big deal.” His eyes locked onto mine. “But now, we believe it’s connected to Magnus’s case. Someone with significant power must be behind this.”
My breath caught. The conversation I’d overheard about illegal gold suddenly made horrible sense.
“Have you found the source?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.
“We had a lead. Ships from the East, smuggling gold among their cargo.” His lips curved into a predatory smile. “Until they mysteriously burned. The silk ships, specifically.”
The way he emphasized ‘silk’ made my stomach drop. Our eyes met, and the air crackled with unspoken tension. Both of us remember that day— his accusations about my foreknowledge and the poisoning that followed.
We never really talked about it again. So, I didn’t know if he believed me or not.
I cleared my throat and looked away first. “I’ll… think about it. See if I can find anything useful.”
Like hell, I will.I knew exactly where to start looking, but telling Anderic would mean revealing Father’s involvement, even though ultimately he wasn’t fully guilty. And I didn’t trust this golden-haired demon to show mercy, no matter how prettily he smiled. Or how much feelings I had caught from his infuriating smiles.
“I should go,” I said, already backing away. “It’s getting late.”
Chapter 6
The palace dining hall glowed with warm candlelight, crystal chandeliers casting dancing shadows across the marble floors. I paused in the doorway, taking in the familiar grandeur I’d left behind after my divorce. And there, looking perfectly at ease chatting with the king and queen, sat my brother Sebastian.
What the hell is he doing here?
He spotted me and waved. “Ah, dear sister! Her Majesty insisted I stay for dinner after our business concluded. And being the obedient soul that I am, how could I refuse?”
I rolled my eyes. “Your obedience knows no bounds, brother.” My gaze swept the table, noting Rosalind and Noah sitting close together, then Lady Penelope and Seraphina whispering behind their hands. Moving toward an empty seat far from the royal couple, I prepared myself for an awkward meal.
“Lady Ilyana, why even are you heading down there?” Queen Felicia’s melodious voice stopped me. “Come, sit beside me.”
“Indeed,” King Arnald’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “These old eyes can barely make you out at such a distance.”
Heat crept up my neck as I changed course, acutely aware of Rosalind to my left as I took the seat next to the queen. Theelaborate place setting swam before my eyes as I fought the urge to scan the room again. Where was he?
“Looking for someone in particular?” Queen Felicia’s knowing tone made my head snap up.
“No, Your Majesty.” I busied myself with my napkin, willing my face not to flush. “It’s simply been some time since I dined here. Everything feels…different.”
“Mhmm.” The queen lifted her teacup, a small smile playing on her lips. “If you say so.”
My stomach dropped. That smile. That knowing look as she sipped her tea. Did she suspect? Could she see right through me to my growing feelings for her son? The thought made me flush a particularly bright shade of red as I reached for my own cup.
“The tea is particularly fragrant tonight, don’t you think?” Queen Felicia’s eyes sparkled with amusement over the rim of her cup.
“The tea is extraordinarily good today, Your Majesty.” Sebastian beamed at the queen, completely missing the undertones of her previous comment. “The bergamot is particularly fragrant.”
Thank the heavens for my oblivious brother. Queen Felicia’s attention shifted to Sebastian, and I let out a quiet breath of relief.
