Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 139662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 698(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 698(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
If Oberon had never seduced Arya as a way to weaken the Seelie Court.
If the queen had never sent those sprites to burn down my childhood home.
If my aunt had never tricked Jas and me into that exploitative contract.
If Sebastian had never tricked me into bonding with him.
My resentment is a prowling shadow of destruction itching to be released on the world, and I shove it down. Down, down, down and away, where its darkness can’t sway me.
When I lift my head, Sebastian’s watching me, and the longing is so stark on his face that I don’t need this bond to know how much losing me is killing him. “Okay,” I say softly. “Finn won’t stay in the palace. I won’t have a relationship with him. He’s not thrilled about this either, Bash. It’s not like he was hoping to be my lover while you and I ruled together.”
His face crumbles, and he presses his hand to my chest. “You never loved me like this. Not with this much of your heart. How did he do it? What made you choose him?”
My eyes burn, and I step back, letting his hand fall between us. “I’m not choosing anyone. I don’t get that luxury. I’m choosing the future of the court.”
Sebastian’s jaw ticks. “Fine. Let’s get this done.”
I hold his gaze for a long time before I realize that I’m hoping for a fight, hoping he’ll refuse altogether.
Hoping he gives me an excuse to get out of this.
I close my eyes and focus on the little tunnel of connection between myself and the Wild Fae king.
Where is everyone? I ask Misha in my mind.
We’re in the briefing room, trying to determine if Juliana is a traitor. Find us when you’re ready.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Magic hums in the air when I enter the briefing room. Juliana is in the corner, but judging from the way her feet are just off the ground and her arms are glued to her sides, she’s not there of her own volition.
Finn spares me a brief glance as I enter alongside Sebastian. He quickly returns his focus to Juliana as we take our seats at the head of the table.
“It’s clear we have a security problem,” Finn says, addressing the room without taking his eyes off the female who was once supposed to rule by his side as his queen. “Someone is reporting to Queen Arya. She knew when the children were moved to the capital and when Abriella was there with them. Juliana knew that too, because I was in communication with her that day.”
Juliana shakes her head. “You think I would murder innocent Unseelie children, Finn? That I would lay siege to my own capital?”
Finn ignores her and continues. “Then there was the attack on us from camp on our way to the portal. Someone had to clue the queen in as to where we’d be.”
“Why would I want to help that bitch?” Juliana growls. Tears roll down her pretty porcelain cheeks. “I am on your side.”
“You knew we were there.”
She shakes her head. “Why would I want to hurt you when I’m in love with you?” she whispers. “I’ve always been in love with you, and even when I accepted that you wouldn’t ever return those feelings, everything I did, I did to help you take your rightful place on that throne.”
Finn’s jaw goes hard, but his eyes are harder—silver chips of ice. “If you want to prove your innocence, drop your shields for Misha. Let him see into your mind.”
“There’s no way to know that she’s dropped them completely,” Misha warns. “With Juliana’s training, she could easily show me bits and pieces. It’s not proof of her innocence if I see no thoughts tying her to Queen Arya.”
“Finn, I swear to you,” Juliana pleads. “We didn’t know who Abriella really was. Mab hid every sign that she had an heir. We had no way of knowing. And if Mother had known, she would’ve opened the portal for you.”
Finn folds his arms and leans back in his chair. “Drop your shields. Let my friend into your mind.”
More tears stream down her cheeks, and she whispers, “I’m sorry, but it’s not what you think.”
Misha draws in a long, shuddering breath. “She was responsible for the Barghest,” he says coolly. “She and the High Priestess used their magic together to send the death dog after Abriella. They believed the crown would shift to Finn if Brie died.”
Finn’s expression is schooled, but I still see the hurt that flashes through his eyes. I hate this for him. I might not like Juliana, but she has been his friend his entire life. He cares for her, and losing her now, when he’s losing so much, has to hurt.
“You,” he growls in her face. “You sent that beast after her?”
Her eyes glisten with tears. “Mother felt it the moment Abriella arrived in our realm. The High Priestess was serving you, Finn, just as she swore to do. She served you from the beginning, and when her oath to Mab took her life, she still thought she was serving you.”