Page 100 of Promise of Darkness
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It’sThalia who comes after me.
I sit on the edge of the parapets, staring out over the golden city of Ceres. Fae bustle through the city, going about their lives completely unaware of the argument we had today.
These fae will die if Angharad and her forces attack the city. Or perhaps they’ll march to their deaths in the north.
We could end it, Vi, before it’s already begun. All we have to do is find the child….
One death balanced against many. Can I even blame him for suggesting it?
“He’s on edge,” Thalia points out, seating herself beside me. “It’s bound to make him short tempered.”
“He’s been like this for days,” I mutter.
She peers at me. “He’s worried about the deadline. It always wears on him.”
There are only four weeks left until I’m to be returned to my mother. Three months sounded like such a long time when she announced this treaty, but now each day seems like the tick of a clock heralding our doom.
Four weeks to fall in love with him.
Four weeks in which to hope I’ll remember him when she takes me back.
Four weeks to break this fucking curse.
“I don’t want to hurt him,” I whisper. “But how can I let him do this to a child?”
“It might not be a child.”
“Does it matter?” I meet her eyes. “Whatever age it is, it’s not its fault.”
“Why does it bother you so much?” she asks. “Your mother’s court is ruthless. She’s known for making decisions like these for the good of her people.”
I don’t know the answer to that.
Or maybe I do.
“My mother’s used me as a puppet for years,” I tell her bitterly. “I know Thiago thinks this is the best course of action, but… he didn’t even think there might be another option. Nor did he ask for my opinion. He just made the decision. Judge. Jury. Executioner. I know what it’s like to be pushed and pulled on the whims of another, my life not my own.” I bow my head, resting my chin on my knees. “There’s a little piece of me that feels as though he’s talking of me when he speaks of thisleanabh an dàn. Some poor bastard out there is blithely unaware his life is about to end, and for what? The pure, unfortunate luck of his birth? It’s not fair.”
“Thiago’s never cruel.” She rests a hand on mine. “And he’s used to making these decisions by himself. I don’t think it’s deliberate. He’s never ruled with you by his side. He’s never had the chance. It’s not that he’s not listening to you.”
“So I should just accept his judgement on this matter?”
Of course she’s on his side. She’s his cousin.
“Pffawh. No!” Thalia waves a hand in horror. “Let him grovel. He’ll come around once he’s had time to release some of his stress.” A grin lights her face when she sees my dubious look. Before I can move, she leans forward and hugs me. “I know you don’t remember me, but we were friends. And I love watching you twist him in knots each and every time. The pair of you were made for each other.”
For the first time in months, I feel as though I’ve finally found an ally. Maybe some of my memories are creeping back, for I’m not normally so swift to relax around strangers, but I can’t help leaning into her hug.
“He still seems a stranger,” I confess.
Thalia draws back, waggling her eyebrows. “You can fix that.”
Heat crawls up my cheeks. “Are you sure you’re not working on his side?”
“If it’s any consolation, you seem to enjoy being in his bed as much as he does.”
I can’t help thinking of all that naked skin on display while we were stuck in that hunting cabin.
