Page 92 of Hidden

She forced herself to look away. The rest of the fae stood in a crescent at one end of the banquet hall, shuffling nervously. There seemed fewer than before. Had some fled when Farras was arrested? If they’d followed him out of fear, maybe they saw their chance and ran?

Lila searched the wolves until she found Rafe among them. It was not hard since his dark head rose above the rest. He was talking to his father, and the king’s cloak was gone. He wore pants and a sleeveless jacket, but no shirt, leaving his bare arms and chest on display. Lila longed to reach out and put her hand against his warm skin, but he was too far away. For a heartsick instant, she wondered when she would touch him again—or if she ever would.

Lila’s heart skipped with apprehension as King Elroth raised his hands for silence. After a moment, all that they could hear was the wind in the forest, clearly audible through the gap in the wall the vampires had made.

“I was on my way to Gilden Wood,” Elroth said. “Imagine my surprise when I was suddenly summoned by an urgent message to come here. It has been a long time since I received a communication by crystal of such strength and clarity.”

On hearing his device had actually worked, Ademar jerked upright, grinning, then quickly smothered his expression. Lila couldn’t hide an answering smile. Elroth looked her way, and she felt her cheeks grow hot.

“I responded immediately,” he said. “A king comes when one of his people calls out in distress. I would ask the sender why she sent that message.”

The warrior in silver mail nudged her forward. Once Lila was in motion, all her years of training for court took over. She approached Elroth, stopping at a respectful distance, and sunk into a curtsy. The gesture felt wrong in her grubby, ill-fitting clothes. “Your Majesty.”

She rose, feeling the weight of so many watching. Farras stood where she could see him from the corner of her eye. His captors had hauled him to the front of the crowd and gagged him with a banquet napkin.

“It is evident that much has happened here,” Elroth said with an edge of sarcasm. “Tell me your message now, in full.”

“This is a long tale with several threads, sire, and I do not know every part,” Lila began. “But what I do know is that there is an individual some call the Magician selling bacchante in the city.”

“I have heard of the drug,” Elroth replied. “That is one reason I believe the fae will benefit by retreating from the human world.”

Lila tensed. “I am sorry to say, Your Majesty, that the Magician is a fae, and he sells the drug to other supernaturals as well as to our people.”

The king’s eyebrows lifted. “A fae is selling bacchante? A light fae?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lila pushed on, wanting to say as much as she could before she lost her chance to speak. “The effect on other species is most often fatal, so they are eager to find the Magician’s identity.”

“Understandable,” Elroth said.

“Wolves tracked the Magician to this way station, but they vanished without a trace. Rafe was the last to arrive with his Undead companion.” Lila gestured to where Izetta stood. “I was here when they were thrown into the dungeon beneath this building.”

“Way stations do not have cells,” Elroth interrupted in an affronted tone. “Or should not.”

“This one does,” Lila replied, leaving as little room as possible for interruption. “Lord Farras confessed to me that he spelled the wolves to sleep and put them in the prison cells. I freed those who were left alive, along with Captain Teegar and my father. They were all being held in the dungeon.”

“Captain Teegar?”

“And my father. Lord Farras said that you were responsible for his capture.”

“He did, did he?” Elroth’s frown deepened. “That is far from the truth.”

“One more thing.”

The king’s eyebrows rose again. “Just one?”

“So there is no doubt ever again, I would like to be formally and publicly released from any expectation that I marry Lord Farras.”

Elroth made a less than kingly snort. “That I grant without reservation. Allow me a moment to consider what you’ve told me. Remain here in case I have questions.”

Lila curtsied again and retreated to her place beside the retainers.

The silver-clad warrior gave her an approving nod. “Quick and concise,” she said under her breath. “That’s how he likes it.”

And it didn’t take long for Elroth to digest what she’d told him. Barely a moment later, he addressed the room.

“I have heard a great many disturbing things in these last minutes. First among them is that a fae is responsible for deaths in other communities.”

Malatest stepped forward. “Like I said, we have a score to settle.”

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