Page 221 of Curse of Darkness
Thalia leans over the table. “Who is His Royal Iciness?”
It has to be Edain. I glance up too, chewing thoughtfully. “What fire?”
Baylor and Lysander share a look. One that says,oh fuck, we weren’t supposed to mention that.
When no answer arrives, I set my knife and fork down. “What.Fire?” I turn toward Lysander. “You were supposed to keep an eye on Edain.”
Lysander sighs. “I did. He had a little… frustration to work out.”
It’s Baylor who says it. “Edain burned your mother’s tree down.”
Thiago’s hand settles over mine in comfort. He was there. He knew why I made the choice I made.
“The tree’s… gone?”
Baylor scrubs at his mouth and nods.
Oh.
Just like that, she’s gone from my life forever. I don’t know how to feel about that. Except… “And did it make him feel better?”
Lysander, for once, cannot find a smile. “I don’t think anything’s going to make him feel better right now. Your sister returned to the north with Raith, and while your mother’s gone, her curse still lingers.”
“What curse?” Thalia asks.
Lysander swirls the wine in his glass. “Look, I’ll share that information with my prince”—he glances toward Thiago—“if he insists upon it. But I’d prefer not to discuss it with all and sundry. The prick and I still have a reckoning to come, but airing his affliction is a little underhanded, even for me.”
Thiago steeples his fingers together. “We’ll discuss it later. In private.”
Lysander gives him a grateful nod.
“So you’ve forgiven him?” Thalia demands. “Just like that?”
More wounds. The entire table is full of them.
“It’s complicated.” Lysander grimaces. “No, I haven’t forgiven him. But I can still feel empathy for his situation.”
“Oh, goddess.” Finn pinches the bridge of his nose. “Tell me you did not fall for those pretty eyes?”
Lysander looks horrified. “The prince does some wicked things to tight leather, but fuck no.” He scrubs at his mouth. “No.”
Finn narrows his eyes. “There is color creeping up your throat.”
Lysander throws a bread roll at him. “He’s poison.”
“That’s never stopped you in the past.”
Lysander searches the room, then stops upon his brother. “Why are we focusing on my sex life when my dearest brother finally noticed a female existed?”
Baylor freezes with a spoonful of soup halfway to his lips. I could swear his hackles just rose. “What?”
Lysander points his fork at his twin. “Don’t think I didn’t happen to notice how much time you were spending in the Ravenal tents after Eidyn.” He bats his eyelashes. “The Queen of Ravenal was practically hissing at you to stay away from her sister.”
“Her sister?” both I and Thalia echo.
“Imerys?” Finn lowers his wineglass. “The sleeping princess?”
“She’s not sleeping,” Baylor growls. “She’s been cursed.”
