Page 58 of A Touch of Iron
She chuckled. “We?”
I smirked. “Yes, we. I admit I really love making you all dirty, but I’d rather get you wet … and clean, of course.”
23
VIOLET
I’d never been happier than I was now. I could barely wipe the smile off my face. After a few more rounds in the shower, I was completely exhausted and could barely walk out of his room on my own. But alas, the honeymoon was over for the time being as we were late for an appointment in the village with Jon.
We left the castle grounds and entered the bustling village, which was positively teeming with activity with fae getting ready for tomorrow’s Winter Solstice celebration. I had a sudden flash of panic when I realized how little time we had to prepare. I’d agreed to lead the rebellion to take down the Unseelie King and Seelie Queen, but with my limited skills I wasn’t sure how I could possibly do it.
Alec and I entered the same small pub where I had drinks with Kazimir the other day and found a table in the far back. Jon hadn’t arrived.
“Are you nervous?” Alec asked.
I grimaced. “Uh … no, not really.”
“Liar,” he smirked. “You’re all jittery. You know you don’t have to do this, Vi. You can back out at any time.”
It was sweet of him to say, but we both knew it was too late to back out now. The play was in motion and I had the starring role.
I changed the subject. “Do you … do you think we should tell Ansel about the plan for tomorrow?”
Alec shook his head. “My brother is too close to the Queen. If she asks the right question, he won’t be able to lie to her. It’s best to keep him out of it. For his own safety.”
I nodded. “You’re right.”
Just then, Jon arrived and weaved his way through the tables until he reached ours, then slid into the booth across from us.
“Thank you for coming,” he whispered, furtively glancing at the tables around us. “The others are preparing for tomorrow. The celebration will kick off with a parade in the village. The Unseelie King and Seelie Queen will lead it together as a sign of temporary unity.”
“So all of the fae bustling around town right now …?” I questioned.
Jon nodded. “All rebels.”
“So what’s the plan? I don’t like to improvise.” Alec stared Jon down with disdain.
“Once the King and Queen reach the center of the village, we will attack. With limited security and so many bystanders, they’ll be at their most vulnerable.” He peered around before addressing us again. “Everything is a go; we just need to confirm one small detail.”
“Which is?” Alec asked brusquely.
“You.” He motioned to Alec. “If you haven’t heard, your brother is in charge of the Seelie Queen’s security team. Will you be able to attack your own brother?”
“What?” I gasped a little too loudly. “What do you mean Ansel is in charge of her security team?”
Jon turned his attention to me. “The Seelie Queen entrusted Ansel with her safety. Right now, he’s the only one she trusts.”
I didn’t dare look at Alec, who I knew was just as conflicted as I was. If Ansel was leading the Queen’s security team, that meant we –I– would be attacking him first.
The question I’d asked Alec earlier rang in my head. Should we tell Ansel about the plan? It was the only way to keep him safe.
“I won’t hurt my brother,” Alec finally said, breaking the tense silence that had descended over our table. “That’s non-negotiable.”
“Then you can’t be part of our plan tomorrow. You’re a liability,” Jon declared.
Alec scoffed. “If you think I’m leaving Violet alone for one second, you’re out of your damn mind.”
“Then choose: Ansel or Violet.”
