Page 98 of The Court of Secrets
It was the first time I saw him smile since he’d arrived. It was unnerving. “If we agree to a treaty, then I shall hand it over.”
My fingers flexed. “That wasn’t the agreement.”
He looked at my hands. “I noticed when we arrived that you weren’t holding a staff. Don’t you all hold onto them like treasure?”
I pressed my lips into a hard line. “It’s in my chambers,” I lied. I wasn’t going to extend my curiosity about elemental magic to him. I had forgotten his arrogance in the months since I’d left Berovia.
“Fine. Well, we will speak tomorrow, Winter. Good night.”
I watched him leave, then forced out a breath once he’d joined a group of solises. Blaise spotted me from his throne. Daring glittered his smoky eyes. He gestured me toward him by curling two fingers, a mischievous smirk on his lips. I turned away, balling my fists at my side. I wasn’t going to let him off so easily.
Tonight had been wasted. Kiros had annoyed me, and Cedric’s brother’s presence made me want to kill people. I was in no mood to entertain. I pushed through groups of people, ignoring their curtseys and bows, looking for Morgana. Nissa saw me and tried to touch my arm to get my attention, but I ignored her, walking as quickly as I could toward the exit.
A breathless voice reached me. “Majesty.” I side-glanced Mai, who hurried at my side. “We were hoping you would—”
“Not tonight, Mai. Sorry, I’m not in the mood.”
“Is there something I can help with?”
“No, thank you. I will find you three if I need you.” I felt a little bad for shaking her off like that, but rage was rippling through me, and it was better for everyone if I was away from the party.
I left Mai standing in the hallway as I exited the ballroom. I needed Morgana. I had to know our plan was still underway. Spotting the entrance to the underground tunnels, I raced in their direction. If she was anywhere, I bet she was with Licia, giving him a piece of her mind or forcing his help. She’d be anywhere but the ball. She hated parties about as much as Aquarius hated mercreatures.
Once I slipped into the tunnels, I paused to catch my breath, placing my hands on my knees through my dress. I traced the lines carving the tunnel into a semicircle with my gaze. I moved on and my heels clicked against the hard ground and echoed toward the game rooms, which were alive with fae. They stood at green-felt-covered tables where dice were thrown and small chests were placed, filled with wishes or beauty. Fae’s trickery and games did not involve anything as common as coin, a fact Licia had once told me.
I craned my neck to see if I could see Morgana, but her long brown waves and peculiar dress sense was nowhere to be seen. Licia, however, was there. Gold glimmered from his teeth as he took someone’s wish. Licia was short with shoulder-length blond hair, wearing an emerald-green velvet suit. His eyes glistened gold when he spotted me storming toward him.
“Ah, young queen, I was wondering when I’d be seeing you again.”
The faery he was playing at his table with hurried away, anger in her features. She must have lost.
“You!” I scowled. I needed someone to take my anger out on. “You hurt my friend.”
“Morgana knows why I couldn’t involve myself,” he said deadpan, then took a seat behind the table.
I glared at him.
“Have you come to play another game? The third time might be a charm.” He’d duped me the other two times.
“I wouldn’t play another game with you if I was offered a thousand gold coins.”
“Did you come down here to simply berate me?”
I placed my hand on my hip. “You know something about the…” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “Necromancer.”
“I know many things.”
“Care to spill?”
“I’m never so careless.”
I rolled my eyes. “What is it you want from him?”
His gaze narrowed. “Telling you has no benefit to me.”
I shook my head. “You once said you were invested in my future.”
“Yes.”
