Page 48 of The Court of Secrets
I nodded in agreement. “Yes. I like Amara. I don’t think she will speak with anyone.”
“I know she won’t.” His eyes flashed. “I should warn you, Darlina is here. She came with Lucien. They’re friends.” He rolled his eyes up. “I know you don’t like her, but you should know we’re not together anymore.”
“Why would I care?”
“We both know you do.” He tapped his fingers rhythmically against his knee, smirking.
I rolled my eyes. “I should go,” I said, dismissing his comment. “I need to meet with the council over security arrangements for the memorial.”
“I heard about your announcement. I’m surprised the lords agreed with the expense of the coronation.”
“Nothing was formally agreed upon.” I shot him a playful smile. “That’s why I made sure to cement it publicly. Now they can’t bow out without looking bad.”
Pride coated his features. “See, you’re already getting the hang of this, love.”
“I’m starting to feel more confident,” I admitted.
I turned my back to him when I stood, but he reached for me before I could leave. Wrapping his arm around me from behind, he stopped me from reaching the door. “You forgot this.” He handed me my papers for the meeting with his free hand. When he let go, his fingers grazed up my arm, tingling my skin.
I grabbed the papers, inhaling sharply. “Thanks.”
My heart was pounding as I reached the door. I could feel his touch still. It lingered on my skin as if it were a living thing. I tried to shudder it away, but I could never shake him.
I was so mad at myself. Stupid body and stupid heart. I had just given a speech about never trusting anyone again, but I’d told Blaise everything. As much as I wanted to believe he wouldn’t hurt me, I couldn’t guarantee it, even if Morgana had been certain in his loyalty.
I hurried my steps until I reached the council meeting room, then walked inside.
***
Leaves drifted from the branches above where we sat. The benches were rotting and needed to be replaced, and they held a woody, damp smell. The smoke-tinted air carried the stench away. Large bonfires had been lit beyond the castle walls, directly across from the courtyard where we sat. It was a celebration of the dead, providing light to guide them to the veil. It was a tradition held once a year. “Thank you for joining me. I’m sure you’d rather be joining the festivities.”
Nissa shuffled uncomfortably, looking directly ahead at the arched stone leading to the cold hallways. “Yours was an unexpected invitation, Your Majesty.” She paused. “Fortunately, no one has died this year close to me, so I don’t need to partake.”
I didn’t blame her suspicion; I could sense it all around her. She had, after all, stolen our father from us.
People couldn’t be stolen unless they wanted to be.Those were the words Morgana had told me when we’d first been swept away to Inferis. They floated back into my mind.
My retaliation was probably expected, but fortunately for Nissa, I needed her.
I focused my eyes on her. Her dark hair ran like silk over her shoulders and back. Blossoms and leaves carpeted the cobbled ground, and flickers of light caught between shadows as the oil lamps were lit.
“I have been told you are ambitious.” I tilted my head. “Resourceful. Manipulative.”
She swallowed thickly. “I… I’m not manipulative.”
“Don’t be embarrassed,” I said, seeing her flushed cheeks. “I need those traits, Nissa. I am willing to let the past stay where it should be if you agree to swear your allegiance to me. I need loyal soldiers, women like you.”
Her thin eyebrows raised halfway up her forehead. “You want me to be your spy?”
“Yes.” There was little point in dancing around the truth. “As one of my ladies-in-waiting,” I explained. “Corbin came to me. He asked to marry you. I gave him my answer.”
She glanced down, then back at me. “What did you say?”
My lips curved at the corners. “I said yes. You didn’t know?”
“He never proposed.” She gripped her fingers into her legs. “Men often will say anything to get what they want.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. “I’m starting to see that too.”
