Page 60 of Royal Lies

Gritting my teeth, I couldn't stop the little thoughts seeping into my mind, despite my best efforts to resist.

He had been treating me like a child lately. But he's Eli; we're partners. Surely he would tell me his plans.

"Why is he meeting the prince alone then? Why did he send you off?"The voice whispered, a smirk in its sly tone.

He—well, because—no, stop, Eli—Eli wouldn't lie to me.

A child, hasn't he called me that once? He sure has been treating me like one.

I am not a child!

But-But Eli-he-he-

Eli was now shooing the knight away. There was a little venom in the knight's eyes, but he obeyed.

Eli was offering Flynn a hand up; some words were exchanged, and now the prince was leaving.

Lucarious was there.

What are they talking about?

More importantly, when did he arrive?

Frowning, I shook my head. The pounding intensified.

No, first, let's find out what the hell is going on out there. Honing in on my magic, I amplified my hearing a little, but this only made the pain in my head worse. Where it used to be a drum beating rapidly now it was a full-on banshee screech.

"Well, that was interesting," Lucarious drawled, his face full of self-satisfaction.

Cocking a brow, Eli turned to face his intruder. I had no doubt Eli would have sensed Lucarious coming. Maybe that was why he sent the little prince away.

Eli tried his best to show indifference as I tried my best to focus on their conversation. It was clear to anyone watching he was fuming with rage,

"Oh? I would think the King of Blood and Fire would be immune to the glitz and glamour of swords," Eli sneered as if he was looking down on an ant despite his short size his chin lifted a brow cocked.

Lucarious smiled, baring his pearly white teeth like a fanged shark ready for the kill. "Oh, of course not. How could I ever find that not beautiful? I'm always ever so captivated. The red of blood just hits differently, don't you think? At last, I wasn't referring to the handling of swords but more so towards that coward that was behind your back a moment ago, Eli," He replied, staring at his manicured nails.

Was Lucarious referring to the little prince? What did he have to do with anything? Did this have something to do with Eli meeting with him without me? What was this about?

"And what of it? Not everyone is as skilled as I," Eli lifted his chin in pride as if this was something Lucarious should already know. And I suppose he should have.

I mean Eli was very skilled with the sword; the only ones who could compare to him in the past were Lucarious himself, and the little prince? No, that wasn't quite right. I mean, clearly, the little prince couldn't defend himself. If he could, he wouldn't have been lying behind Eli. Yet, why do I feel like that was wrong? Like the little prince shouldn't have been on the ground. Ugh, my head. Lights sparked behind my eyes like little sprinklers in the night sky.

Damn. But never mind that; I have to focus.

Lucarious was now laughing a lot. I frowned. What in the world was going on?

"You know I've had my suspicions, I mean you are the great Eli, with all his prestige and proper etiquette, his loyalty to family and blood, yet... why is it that I felt your rage roaring off you like the rivers of fire in the Spring Court from miles away? Tell me, does she know that you have your memories back?" Lucarious asked as ice covered the grounds. Black clouded my vision as I blinked, staring at Lucarious' moving mouth but no sounds were coming out.

What? What was he talking about? Why would Eli's etiquette and loyalty to his family have anything to do withanything? And what was that about hismemories? Our memories haven't returned yet, at least not all of them. Right?

Unless…

"She doesn't know. Does she? Should I go tell her?" Lucarious was saying as he turned to leave, his tone like a father reprimanding his child for a silly mistake. Though the smirk on his face was obvious, he was trying to provoke Eli. So does that mean all he said was fake?

No, wait, look at Eli's face. Hewasnever one to hide his anger well. If Lucarious was just talking his mouth off, then Eli shouldn't be so angry, right?Right?

As I faced Eli's flushing red face, my own started to drain of any color. No, no, Eli, Eli wouldn't keep something so major from me,right? I mean, come on; it'sourmemories we were talking about, apartof ourselves that was hidden away. He told me he wanted no secrets between us, so-

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