Page 54 of Royal Lies

Unfazed by my frustration, the voice continued, "How was I supposed to know he was alive? I barely know his face. Besides, we should look on the bright side. Think, King of Blood and Shadow. If we can't reach Eli, we can target the girl."

My scowl deepened as I pondered on those words. Target Everetta, sure but how? If Eli saw through my antics there was no way Everetta wouldn't. Then again, she hasn't seemed likeherself lately, memories or no memories, it was like she was more scattered-brained than usual.

What's more, if I could lure her in with one of her secrets. The problem was which one? If she didn't have her memories wouldn't it just be useless?

So much for that damn idea.

Lyrical laughter chimed throughout the bedroom I was occupying during my stay in the Winter Court. If you ask me they could've given me something much more fitting of a fae with my stature. In this fortress of ice and sapphires, the least they could do was give me a bigger bed.

"Think on thisKing of Blood and Shadow. What can we do with this newfound information? What doeshislife mean forus? Foryou? ForEli? For thegirl? Think beyond the surface,narcissist. IfEliis out of reach, focus on the girl.Butdon't be too quick to trust the King of Wolves and Ice. Does he seem like someone who admits his faults? In a game of twisted words and hidden lies everything is covered, painted with honey. So think, think. What does that little Wolf truly mean to say? Did he refer to her memories in his little games or perhaps about hermate?" A gust of wind followed those words my only sign that that voice was gone. The curtains dropped their intricate dance soon after leaving me to contemplate what he meant, again.

The dick wad did it to me again! Can't they just tell me shit without coding it in riddles?! Last time it was about Everetta's memories now, what was he getting at? Eli's outrage proved that the presence's information was accurate. Everetta truly didn't have her memories intact. Little good that helped. Thanks to that wretched creeper Eli might as well have me in the palm of his hands. Gods know I would be a fool to play with Flynn again not after last time.

Shaking my head I tossed myself against the leather back sofa. Enough about pondering on the past bargaining is whatmatters. Now, how could I form a new one? One that would hopefully be more to my tastes.

What was that trickster saying? Was Eli hiding something else besides Everetta’s memories or was it just about Flynn?

Suddenly, the meaning behind his words hit me like a ton of bricks. Fuck! How did I not see that?! Eli wasn't referring to her memories, he was talking about that gods’ damned bastard! How could I have ever thought he was referring to the former.

Chucking a vial of flowers against the ivory blue wallpaper adorned with a golden pattern I watched through a red haze as it exploded into a million pieces.

Ugh! Just thinking about that bastard has my blood boiling.

I needed something to soothe my rage. I popped a wine glass in my hand only for me to shatter it in my grip, splintering it into a hundred small fragments as the echoes of the heated exchange with Eli reverberated in my mind.

That treacherous sheep, how could I have let myself be fooled by such an idiot like Eli? Those fucking Wolf brothers. I swear someday I'll strangle them both. For now, I'll need to do whatever I can to get back what ismine.

Popping another glass in my hand I filled it with red fairy wine, my favorite drink to de-stress.

I let my mind intake all the information I knew so far.

Flynn was alive. He was Everetta's mate, her flame in this world, which was partly why I suppose she was never really mine. The only woman who had ever escaped me. Well her and- The realization hit me like a lightning storm, Akasuki, my former fiancée. We were engaged in both of my lives but we broke it off not too long after our engagement. One because she loved Eli, and he for her. Two because well, I was dethroned in this life. But more so on the fact that she remembered Eli and their love, which was why I assumed that those dick tards already had their memories. Apparently, only one of them did.

I sighed, catching a glimpse of my reflection on the glass shards. I’m not worth much after my crown was taken, am I? I mean besides my looks and might I say I am just dashing today. Angry or not, I was still as handsome as always. Ha! Who am I kidding? I'm dashing every day, no matter what mood I am in.

I couldn't help but admire my wonderfully chiseled chin as I walked to the mirror on the other side of the room. Snapping my figures over my shoulder to clean up the mess I created. I wouldn't want anyone to see my rage quite yet, it would ruin my facade of being a gentleman. I smiled my radiant white teeth at my reflection as I admired the beauty that wasme.

Now where was I, right, a sly smile slit across my face as I pondered about this new Flynn. The only way that boy could ever stay away from Everetta was if he wasn't in this realm. The fact that his magic still worked meant he was alive, and closer to me now. I mean this wasn't the only time I've thought about it, making Everetta mine once more.

Wincing I rubbed at the slight pain itching at my heart. Never have I once felt this pain from remembering her like I do now. I've thought about her more than once throughout all my lives, she was a stunning woman. Her luscious but slim curves, true she lacked in the chest region but she had other assets like her chaotic bloodthirsty personality. I’ve never met anyone who could match my levels of insanity quite like her.

If I had to recall when all this pain started to occur it would be- no.

It was when I met Akasuki. But she wouldn't have had the skill to make such a potion. Don’t get me wrong the woman was truly calculative but she was no master of potions and herbs.

From what I recall no spell or potion would ever be able to transcend death, no matter how strong they are, which meant, he had to have met me once before in this life. The only other person with Akasuki who wasn't part of her family that I knewwas that attendant of hers. During our engagement meeting, before I was temporarily removed from the throne, we had gathered for a little reunion of sorts just me and her.

And that servant of hers.

I'd thought he was peculiar, in one his hair was obviously fake. I mean come on the cold air around him was just buzzing to freeze me over, which meant he had to be a Wolf only Wolves could admit that frosty air, which meant he had to have blue hair, not that ugly abhorrent chestnut brown shade he was adorning that day. Hmm, now that I think about it maybe that should have been my first clue that he wasn't who he claimed to be. That and Akasuki never really let anyone besides Eli, and a very select group of fae and spirits near her. Not even some of her siblings, though truth be told she does have a lot of them. Twelve if we were counting. I know all the siblings she trusts, including the few outside her family and Eli, so to see her so familiar with her servant when she was never in her past life should have tipped me off. Why didn't it? Well, I also might have been admiring my reflection off the cutlet at the time.

Shit! That tea, that servant of hers was the one who poured and made the tea during our little meeting. Plus, the only reason why Flynn wouldn't go back to Everetta yet might be that he had no clue where she was but no he should have been able to sense her. Unless, reason number two he couldn't sense her, but he would have found another way besides following her magic to track her down. Three, he didn't have his memories back? No, if he poisoned me then he would have. Surely, he wasn't insane enough to poison an innocent man- on second thought he would be. Either way, option four, he was ashamed. Of what? Him not being able to revive in his own body? I highly doubt that would-wait a minute. In the name of all gods did all Wolves have to be so prideful?! Then, there was option five, he was helping Akasuki with something. Akasukiwashis future sister-in-lawso practically family, and all that. What matters most now is I have a chip to bargain with, I know the new face of the Prince of Poison. Oh, how the tables have turned. I could nearly clap my hand in glee at my genius. There was also the fact that Eli was the only one out of the two of them who had his memories so in other words, Eli must've done something to Everetta's memories. Icoulduse that as my chip if the chances of her believing me were higher than zero. Those two have always been two peas in a pod. But I won't instead I shall feast upon the best of my wines tonight in celebration of my newfound victory. I'll make a bargain with Ev tomorrow.

Grimacing, I rubbed at the phantom pain in my chest, he must be in this realm now. Because since I've met them I've experienced pain when thinking about Ev, yes, but not quitethispainful, which meant the spell had something to do with his proximity to me.

The only problem was where in this court? If so then I'll need to act fast. What would be better than simply telling her the location? Giving him to her in a neat bow would make the bargain far more significant and binding than simply stating his appearance.

If the real Flynn was back, the only reason would be because he must have deemed himself worthy again or Akasuki was finished with whatever task she wanted to do. Either way, he was back again. So either I hurry this news to Everetta and get her to come to my side, or tell Eli in exchange for a little favor. Of course, that favor would be to get me back my court.

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