Page 31 of A Court So Dark
As if he’d read my thoughts, he said, “You might think others are more powerful because they can perform many different tricks, while you only have one.”
Cardian inclined his head to one side. He was asking if I could do more than blast pure energy. What if he knew my real power was healing? Would he be so interested in me? On the other hand, my ability to shoot beams of light clearly interested him. I hated to think of his fascination if he ever learned I had to murder someone with my bare hands in order to charge my batteries and shoot.
I gave him no answer other than a chagrined sniffle to let him think I had no other skills.
“Oh, you shouldn’t be embarrassed, Lady Fenmenor. What you can do is outstanding. Don’t ever think otherwise.” He frowned. “Do you mind if I do away with formalities and call you Ylannea?”
I shrugged like it made no difference to me.
“Good. So… why don’t you explain to me the nature of your relationship with Kalyll? Why would you risk your life for him?”
“What does it matter to you,Cardian?”
He raised his nose in the air, clearly bothered by what he considered irreverence. What did he want me to call him? King Cardian? I wouldn’t even call him prince at this point. I could, however, offer him a list of alternatives he might not be familiar with: prick, douchebag, dickwad, asswipe.
Eyes narrowed, he considered me, then decided to let it go. He had been the one wishing to do away with formalities, anyway.
“It matters to me because you could become a valuable weapon in my arsenal.” He raised an eyebrow, wearing an expression that seemed to sayyou could profit from this too if you’re smart.
As difficult as it was, I feigned intrigue. Leisurely, I strolled around the room, picked the most comfortable-looking armchair, sat down, and crossed my legs.
“I’m listening.”
Cardian smiled with satisfaction. He took the chair across from mine, then tapped his ear. “I’m listening first.”
“Fine.” I waved a hand in the air and tried to think of something that would explain why I would jump in front of Kalyll to save his life. “He promised to… make it worth my while when he became king.”
“Meaning what exactly?”
“He said he would help my family.”
“How?”
“The Fenmenors would get preferential treatment in the wool trade.”
“And you risked your life forthat?” Cardian scoffed. He cared nothing for family, so of course, this reason sounded like a lie to him.
I pushed to the edge of the chair and looked him straight in the eye. “That is my inheritance we’re talking about. Of course, I would risk my life for it.”
His eyes sparkled. Now, here was something he fully comprehended. Everything he’d done so far had been for what he considered to be his due.
He placed an elbow on the armrest and tapped his jaw with an index finger. “Unfortunately for youandyour family,” he chuckled at this, “Kalyll will never be king.”
Of their own accord, my teeth ground, and a muscle jumped in my jaw. Fortunately, this natural reaction served me well because Cardian thought I was frustrated that my plans had been foiled.
“But maybe there is no reason for you to fret,” he said. “Maybe you can still be friends with the Seelie King.” His satisfied smirk stretched for a mile.
This time, I stopped my true feelings from revealing themselves. Instead, I lowered my eyes to the floor and let them wander as if I were deep in thought, considering all the ramifications of this new and unexpected boon.
Before I opened my mouth to speak, I considered the type of things a ruthless person might say in a situation like this. Would they express relief? Would they make demands? Would they appear suspicious?
I settled on the latter, snapping my gaze to his and holding it. “How can I trust someone who so easily stabs his brother in the back?”
His hands took hold of the armrests and squeezed them hard. “He isnotmy brother.”
Holding my breath, I hardened my expression, trying not to appear intimidated by his sudden anger, letting Dark Dani tighten her grip on the reins.
There was so much hatred in his eyes, a clear desire to hurt anyone who dared link him to Kalyll, that I worried he might take it out on me. Obviously, he didn’t care that theydidshare blood, shared the same mother. Denial made it easier for him to justify his actions, and he would cling to it if it was the last thing he did.
