Page 27 of Royal Lies

Rolling my eyes I allowed Everetta to lower my arms from her view of the boy, my supposed brother. I knew she wouldn't give up. If I had kept preventing her from taking a peek she would only grow more curious. It was as if she couldn't yet fit the pieces together either, her face wrinkling as her mind scrambled to click things together. Trying to match a face to a memory. Then again she doesn't or shouldn't have all her memories back.

Is this scene going to cause some memories to jolt back for her?

Biting my inner right cheek I made plans to visit her chambers later today when we do get our chambers. And from the sounds of it, we will, I will make sure of it. Even if we have to make the king's execution quicker than I had intended.

"Ahm, of course, if you would follow me. I can show you to your rooms,” The boy cleared his throat, giving a smile so disarming that for a moment I could believe that he meant it.

Perhaps hewasmy brother. Lord knows how disarming his smiles used to be. He could smile happily despite the contradicting thoughts in his twisted head.

"How do we know you're telling the truth, and not just leading us to the cells?" Crossing my arms in front of my chest I glared over at the boy.

Silently I gathered magic just in case we needed to take this damn prince as a hostage. As if sensing my intention the guards poked their pointed swords closer to us. A speck of blood trickled down my neck as I glared up at the guards, an eyebrow cocked. Please did he really think this puny weapon would save him if I were to truly attack? I smirked and no doubt they must have seen the blood lust in my eyes as they hesitated ever so slightly. But the boy, the boy just chuckled, if a bit wearily.

I guess a simple word from a prince didn't mean we were in the clear yet.

“Haha, you do remind me of my Father, just as headstrong and no doubt intellectual in magic as well. I can sense it. Which I guess is why I should have asked you to meet me in secret. Of course, no power could rival my father's or any of the royal family. Father." He smiled before turning to the king and placing his right hand over his heart in a small bow of respect.

"I hadexpectedthesefaeto meet me as I have also heard of this war. I’d wished to discuss this with you Father, but they had arrived earlier than I had expected. I regret that I couldn't have informed you sooner, Father. I hadwantedto arrange this meeting on my way back from visiting my Mother. As for the purple-haired maiden, she was the prisoner my mother had kept, as you can see her status as an ambassador must have intrigued Mother, in the hopes she might use her to conquer Dracool as well. Alas, it was nothing but her delusions." The boy continued as he turned, giving each of us a stern look before escorting us to the door.

Was he trying to threaten us? I sneered at the boy not liking his tone. Was Flynn like this in the past? Always giving off too much information? But I knew when to pick my battles so I kept my mouth shut and left with the boy.

Yes, this boy did prove a good excuse but the way he went about it was odd. Before the king could speak another word we were out the door and out of sight. Walking out on the king, perhaps hewasmy brother? Lords know he didn't care much for my father even back then. Reaching out I tried to gain the magic range of this boy. Blocked. I frowned, it seemed this boy was smarter than he looked. Without getting a proper range on his magic level I wouldn't be able to assess if he really was my brother. Which means he was a threat.

How irritating.

A couple minutes later we were escorted into a guest room by the prince and some guards.

"I assume you have a noise-canceling substance around here," I gestured to the red power along the edge of the room, scanning it for any additional threats or traps.

It didn't seem like a mess the maid wouldn't have cleaned up. As if to confirm my statement the boy blushed. Sensing the curiosity in her I grabbed Everettas arms just as she made a move to no doubt take the bloody red powder on the fucking ground into her hands.

"No," I glared turning my gaze towards her. Everetta pouted.

We were standing in the middle of the room, the door closed, as the guards were no doubt stationed by the other side of the door

"No," I repeated more firmly as I watched her inch closer to the red powder.

"But it's fascinating" I could practically read those words in her puppy eyes, the color of the rising Sun.

"Umm." The boy chuckled nervously.

"I don't know what's going on but you probably shouldn't touch that. It's umm, forgetting powder. It's something I made so you probably have never heard of it." The boy added quickly as if sensing all our confusion. We all returned our glances at the powder back to the so-called prince. The witch smiled. I glared. Everetta seemed fascinated. Too fascinated as she looked up at the boy and not at the powder. I could practically feel the interest brewing. Her eagerness rushed out of her like some waterfall gushing down a mountain. I wrinkled my nose.

"No." I gritted out again as she turned back to me pouting.

"I just want a smell." She rubbed her hands together, her puppy dog eyes in full blast. She turned to the boy as if he might say yes. Turning my frosty glaze on the boy, I dared him to say yes. Then we'll see what happens. The boy grimaced but shook his head. Good, he had some semblance of survival instincts. If he hadn't I would have slit his throat,possiblebrother or not.

"Umm, that's not a very good idea either. You see, anyone who gets near it or this room now will forget, or space out, they wouldn't be able to recall anything they hear or see if they get near this room. As long as we're inside the lining of the powder we should be fine. But digesting it in any form can umm, well, cause permanent amnesia. In other words, it'll make you forget who you even are." The boy smiled wearily but his attention was focused all too much on Everetta.I don't like it.

Turning my gaze over to Everetta I cocked a brow as if I knew this the whole time.

"Oh fuck off Eli. You didn't know either." Everetta crossed her arms under her chest, still sticking out that lower lip of hers.

The boy, as if to pacify her. Ready to please Everetta quickly added, "But I can give you some to study, you should be fine if you use gloves. I have a special pair I can give you."

Well, that was odd. I glared at him as Everetta beamed up at him.

"Don't even think about it," I warned, finding all of this a bit too uncomfortable.

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