Page 49 of A Shattered Kingdom of Steel

Asheros visibly relaxes.

In the mirror, Viridian leans his head back, briefly closing his eyes. “Of course. Of the two of us, Cryssa is the only one who can lie.”

Unlike humans, or demi-fae like Cryssa, pure fae can’t lie. We’re physically unable to. Whether that’s by some magical force or the gods themselves, I don’t know. Still, even though we can’t lie, most fae are able to twist or bend the truth to their advantage. But when asked a direct question, we have two options—tell the truth, or say nothing.

Either way, it’s a dead give-away.

“Right.” I nod. “For now, it’s best you don’t know where I am. Or who I’m with.” I flick my eyes between Viridian and Cryssa. Neither look happy with that, but it’s for their own good. “I promise, I’ll tell you everything as soon as I can.”

“Very well,” Viridian grumbles.

At the same time, Cryssa says, somewhat menacingly, “You’d better.”

“As you command, Your Majesties,” I say lightly, before taking a breath. “What I can tell you is that I’m all right.”

“We’re glad to hear that,” Viridian says. His expression is tense, like that of a worried parent.

“But you didn’t conjure us just to tell us that you’re all right,” Cryssa adds, mouth tight.

“No,” I breathe, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. “How much do you know about…” I pause, unsure of how to broach the subject.

“The Gold Court’s claims against me?” Viridian interjects.

“Yes,” I say.

“Probably as much as you do,” Viridian starts. Anger swirls in his amber eyes. “We know that Maelyrra has been making diplomatic visits to the other Courts, claiming that I’m not my father’s legitimate heir.”

“That bitch is going to get what’s coming to her.” I clench my jaw, my own anger rising to the surface again. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“It’s all right, Lymseia,” Viridian assures me, taking a deep breath. “Maelyrra Pelleveron may be the least of our problems.”

My stomach falls. “What’s happened?”

Cryssa turns to Viridian and takes his hand before turning back to me. “Your mother is blaming the crown for your disappearance. If you’re not found and safely escorted to Illnamoor soon—” She pauses, pressing her lips together. “She’ll ally with the Gold Court against us.”

“You can’t be serious,” I shoot out.

Holding the mirror before me, Asheros stiffens, hanging his head slightly. Though his chin falls behind the rim of the mirror between us, the rest of his face is still visible above it.

“We are, Lymseia,” Viridian says slowly. His mouth parts for a long sigh, one that seems to weigh heavily on him. “Kylantha has threatened to support Maelyrra’s call for us to abdicate.”

“What?” My body goes rigid. Like the other Steel Court Heads of House that came before her, Mother’s never been one to make a strong political stance, not when it could potentially mean war between the five Courts. I’d always thought she’d favored Vestella over me. Vestella is her heir-apparent, after all. I’m the second-born. A warrior. No one of political consequence.

Or so I thought.

“This has Maelyrra written all over it.” I shake my head, eyes locking with Asheros’s. A knowing look passes between us, and I redirect my attention back to Cryssa and Viridian’s faces within the mirror. “My mother can’t… She wouldn’t do that.”

“Maybe, but… She loves you, Lymseia,” Cryssa tells me, her voice soft. “Of course she’d do anything to get you back.”

Worry, fear, and surprise wrap around each other inside me, binding me from the inside out. My words become lodged in my throat, and my stomach constricts, abdominal muscles wound tight.

“No matter,” Viridian says, leveling his tone. “You needn’t worry yourself. We have the situation under control.”

I know what he leaves unsaid. They have the situation under control.

For now.

But for how much longer?

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