Page 36 of Taken By the Shadow Prince

“But he came to visit us, before. A few times even.”

I shrug a shoulder and take another small swig of the tea in front of me. It’s pretty awful, but I’m determined not to show it. “Of course he did. Not to be friendly with you, though. To feel you out. See what he might do to get back at you for what you did to him. And the perfect opportunity arose when your daughter was hauled off to a cave, left to be forgotten, and your not-quite dead bodies were raced to that sanctuary without her. He could have done something for you guys—for your daughter, at the very least. But he didn’t because he could finally win this way.”

“How do you know all of that?”

“I keep tabs on this country. Your father, however, couldn’t care less.”

“That’s fucked up—knowing she was there and leaving her.”

I merely shrug. “He’s cruel. Don’t be so surprised.”

“Youleft her there, too.”

Again, I shrug. “That was part of the price you paid with our bargain. There was nothing I could do.” Which was true, but... I’m also not sure Iwouldhave done anything, anyway. Not when it meant risking the future, changing the path we were on. No, I’m far too selfish for such things. Besides, I’m every bit the demon Elix is—it’s expected for me to be just as cruel. “Is it not enough that you’re here with her now?”

She thinks for a moment before finally speaking. “I wish it could be enough. So badly. But I missed the ten most important years of my daughter’s life. I didn’t get to see her grow up, didn’t get to spoil her rotten, didn’t get to love her the way she deserved. I’ll never be able to make up for that lost time, Armin. But I’ll never, ever stop trying.” A tear leaks from the corner of her eye.

I am instantly uncomfortable.

But Joula says, “I hope that whatever bargain it is you and that Mavey girl made is worth it. I hope you haven’t royally screwed us all just to get what you consider a fair price.”

“Are you looking for gossip, Joula?” I say with a wickedness to my tone. “Trying to get me to share all my deepest secrets?”

She scowls and stands. “Don’t talk to me like we’re friends, Armin. You ruined my life. I haven’t forgotten that.”

I scoff. “Please. I ruined nothing. You said so yourself—even if you had known the effects, you still would have made that bargain. And it isn’t like Ichosefor the price to be a witch hunt. I simply chose that the pain and torment of them on your and Kell’s end would be the price. I gave you a family discount, remember?”

“You still could have warned us.”

I shrug. “Wouldn’t have changed a thing.”

Joula snatches the rest of her breakfast up and stalks toward the doors. “Quit reminding me of how horrible a person I am.”

“I find it makes you endearing.”

“I find it makes me one of the worst people to walk this planet.” She pushes a door open and calls out, “Goodbye, Armin. I hope we never meet again.”

“I can justfeelthe love radiating from you.”

“That’s disgust.”

I can’t help but laugh. She would have done well in Atheya, had she chosen to come all those years ago.

But I must admit—she does far better here.

Chapter 21

Mavey

a meeting

It’s been too long since I’ve sat in this seat. My seat. I missed it far more than I’ll ever admit, gathering around this old table with my family in their own respective chairs.

Lillian and Isa look a lot cozier than they did last time I was here, and that’s saying something. Lillian kicks a foot into her partner’s lap as she and Auley talk about everything and nothing at all—most recently a chocolate cake he’s hoping to convince her to make tonight for him and his newest date’s birthday.

Obviously, it’s a tactic for seducing her into his bed, and that’s precisely why Lillian doesn’t want to make it.

Mair and Leven aren’t here yet, or I’m sure we would have already started. It doesn’t bother me much—I don’t exactly have anywhere to be anymore, and I certainly don’t mind chatting with my brother, just like we used to.

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