Page 94 of Destiny Redeemed
A cold smile played across Anderic’s lips, those charming dimples appearing despite the chill in his eyes. “Ah yes,” he saidsoftly, holding my gaze with unnerving intensity. “Aetherian steel—our kingdom’s most closely guarded secret. The same secret you apparently handed to Prince Callum in your past life.”
Guilt washed over me. I dropped my gaze. “I was… different then. I wanted to hurt Rosalind, to make Noah pay for choosing her. Callum offered me wealth, position, and a new start in Elenthar. All I had to do was tell him how the steel was made.”
“So you sold state secrets to a foreign prince,” Anderic said, his voice remarkably free of judgment. “And someone is doing it again now.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “If I could take it back—”
“You didn’t do it this time,” he cut me off. “And you’ve told me now, which means we can prevent it from happening again.”
I looked up at him, startled by the understanding in his voice. “You’re not angry?”
He sighed. “I’m trying to separate the Ilyana who did those things from the woman standing before me now. The one who risked everything to warn me about a threat to the kingdom.”
My heart gave a strange flutter. “Don’t go soft on me, Your Highness. I’m still the same scheming, cunning woman.”
“With a conscience, apparently.” His lips quirked. “It’s quite inconvenient for your villainous reputation.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that formed. “Maxwell was wrong about us being spies. We were just trying to survive.” I looked back at the empty clearing. “But someone is selling secrets to Elenthar. Someone who has access to the mines and can steal the special ore.”
“And they’re framing you—or they would have, if events unfolded as before.” Anderic rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“The question is, who?” I asked, searching his face for answers.
His blue eyes darkened as he looked away. “I have my suspicions about a certain individual at court, but I’d rather not say more until I’m certain.”
I shivered, not entirely from the cold. “We should head back. They might have eyes and ears even here.”
As we turned to leave, I cast one last glance at the place where my family had died. In this timeline, Sebastian and Mother were still alive, still in the capital. I had a chance to save them all.
“Thank you,” I said quietly as we made our way back to the main street.
“For what?”
“For believing me. Even when my story sounds impossible.”
Anderic was silent for a moment. “What you described, the way your voice broke when you spoke of your brother’s death—that can’t be faked.”
“I’m an excellent actress,” I pointed out.
“Not that excellent.” He gave me a sidelong glance. “No one is.”
I huffed. “You’d be surprised what I’m capable of.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it, Lady D’Arcane.” His voice had shifted, turning playful. “After all, if I’m to have a betrothed, I’d prefer one with some fire in her.”
I stopped short. “About that—you can’t just announce we’re getting married!”
“Why not? It’s an excellent cover story.”
“Because…” I sputtered, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. “Because that’s not how these things work!”
Anderic laughed, the sound startlingly bright against the bleak backdrop of the fringe village. “Consider it a royal command, then.”
“You’re insufferable,” I muttered.
“And you’re blushing,” he countered, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
I stomped ahead, ignoring the warmth in my cheeks that had nothing to do with the cold. Behind me, I heard Anderic chuckle, his footsteps crunching in the snow as he followed.
