Page 70 of A Court So Dark
Mylendra’s mouth opened and closed a few times, but in the end, nothing came out. For what could she say when Kalyll had disarmed her so utterly with honesty? And not only that but with hope for something better.
At least, I expected her to see it that way. For all I knew, her only goal was to marry a royal male—just not one as despicable as Mythorne. But if status was all she wanted from a relationship then: good luck to her.
“So what?” she said to Kryn, her words biting. “You said someone would take my place. You don’t mean this… person.” She made it sound as if a gnat might have a better chance of impersonating an eagle.
“Watch how you talk about her,” Kalyll growled, his voice nearly that of Wölfe.
I patted his arm. “I can take care of this.”
Letting Dark Dani loose, I stuck my chin up and strolled in a semicircle in front of Mylendra, scanning her from head to toe with as much disdain as she’d shown me.
Take the high road, sensible Dani was saying.
Nope. Not today. I really didn’t feel like it. I was here to save this spoiled brat from a nightmare, she could at least be civil.
“You’re a bit pale and bony, but I think I can manage it.” I pointed at my face. “I can sneer just as well, you don’t have an exclusive license on making horrid faces. Doing so will give you wrinkles, by the way, so you’d better try to smile once in a while.”
“How dare you come to my home and insult me?”
“If Mythorne gets his way, this may not be your home for long. So it would be wise of you to treat those who are willing to help you with decency. Unless you… don’t want my help.” I raised my eyebrows as if I’d just realized something. “Oh, perhaps that’s it. Youwantto marry that awful male.”
“I do not.”
“The lady doth protest too much.” I nearly cheered. I had just quoted Shakespeare, and I couldn’t have done it at a better time. I didn’t even sound like a geek out of place and time. My eleventh-grade teacher would be so proud of me.
“Shakespeare?” Kalyll said. “Really?”
I rounded on him and glowered. How dare he try to spoil my moment? He put both hands up, holding back a smirk.
“What are you two about?” Mylendra asked.
I shrugged dismissively. “You wouldn’t understand, dear.”
“Don’tdearme and don’t pretend that you’re doing this for me. You want your throne back.“ She pointed at Kalyll. “And you,” her finger moved in my direction, “you’re likely just some fortune seeker who wants to become queen.”
“Not everyone shares your same motives,dear, but we’re wasting time. If you want to marry Mythorne, by all means, don’t let us get in the way.“ I walked back to Kalyll’s side and waited for her answer, a bland smile stretching my lips.
Kryn glanced at me disapprovingly. It wasn’t as if we had a choice, and we could allow his sister to decide what to do. If she said she wanted to go to Nerethien with her father, we would have to knock her out and supplant her anyway. He had wanted to avoid doing that, but to me, it was a win either way. Of course, I would rather her eat humble pie than render her unconscious.
Or did I? That was a tough one.
After a loaded moment, Mylendra swallowed thickly, stared fixedly at the ceiling, and said, “Do what I need to do? I will go along with your scheme.”
“Excellent.” I clapped my hands together, reached into a hidden pocket of my dress, and pulled out one of the many vials Naesala had made for us.
“What is that?” Mylendra asked, looking panicked.
“Not to worry,” I said. “I’m the one who has to drink this. All you have to do is hold my hand.”
Since the sorceress had only seen Mylendra once and from afar, this potion was a little different. It contained an added spell that would scan Mylendra as she was and would turn me into her. I wasn’t looking forward to it. The last time Naesala had altered my appearance, it had hurt like hell. Though, she promised it wouldn’t be nearly as bad this time, since the alteration was temporary and would slowly wear out unless I drank another dose once a day or so. She had given us a two-day supply, all she’d been able to brew on short notice.
I extended a hand in Mylendra’s direction. One of her sneers nearly took shape, but she stopped it just in time. It seemed I’d succeeded in curbing what appeared to be a natural disdain for others. I vaguely wondered how much more difficult she would act if she knew I was human.
She placed her hand in mine, looking everywhere except into my eyes. Uncapping the small vial with my thumb—the cork tumbling to the floor—I downed its contents to the last drop.
CHAPTER 26
KALYLL
