Page 6 of White Little Lies

Still wrapped in Gabriel’s arms, I hung my head. “I should go. And don’t worry about my delivery. Sebastian may be a pain in the ass, but he has made it clear he hasinvested too much timeto lose me. I’ll try to come to the Bogs once my job is done.”

His expression darkened. “As much as I dislike his presence, I would ask that he escort you to the gates.”

Becausethatwouldn’t be awkward at all. “Sure,” I said, not sure if I would actually go through with it.

He didn’t push me further, but the look he gave me made it clear he knew I wasn’t being entirely honest. I gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then led the way to the door. He held it open for me, and we both stepped out into the living room.

Dawn perched on one side of the sofa, sipping from a periwinkle colored to-go cup. I knew the location that had those cups, and I never went there because it was way too expensive. A matching cup waited on the coffee table for me.

Braxton had made himself scarce. He toleratedDawn, but he had never really liked her. He felt like she took advantage of me. Which was true, but at this point, it was a pretty mutual relationship.

Her eyes lingered on Gabriel as he came to stand beside me.

“I’ll see you later,” he said, brushing one large hand across the small of my back as he pulled away.

I shivered at the touch, and was angry all over again at Dawn for interrupting us. Although I was at least grateful that she didn’t show up anylater.

We both watched Gabriel walk toward the door and let himself out.

Once he was gone, Dawn chuckled. “I never thought I’d see you in bed with a goblin.”

I walked around the coffee table to sit on the other side of the couch. “Personally, I had hoped you would never see me in bed withanyone.”

“I thought perhaps you were dating an elf, one of the nobility, seeing as how the king’s protection now extends to yourroommate.”

She was fishing for information, and I wasn’t about to give it to her until the right moment. She would want something in exchange for whatever she had to tell me. I reached for my coffee and took a sip. It was still piping hot. Part of the price tag atLapis Brewswas the minor enchantment placed on each cup, keeping the coffee the perfect temperature until the very last drop. The enchantment didn’t last forever, but was good for a few hours.

The steamed milk was perfectly creamy and the amount of caramel just right, brightening my mood considerably. I lifted the cup toward her in thanks. “I’m surprised you’d willingly buy coffee from gargoyles.”

“I’m willing to go to great lengths for quality, Eva. You know that.” She angled her long legs toward me, then leaned back against the sofa cushion. “Now, are you going to tell me what you’ve been doing in Emerald Heights?”

Ah, it seemed we were jumping straight to the bargaining. I took another slow sip of my coffee, pretending to ponder her question. Finally, I said, “I’m not sure what you mean.”

She flashed me a quick smile. “Oh, I do miss you, so I will throw you a nice little crumb.” She leaned forward, meeting my eyes steadily. “I believe I have new information on your mother.”

My heart fell to my feet.

3

I stared at Dawn,my coffee forgotten in my hand. “What did you say?”

She smiled the proverbial crocodile’s smile. “Why did King Francis grant you his protection?”

Though my heart was racing, I forced my breathing to slow. My voice came out calm and even. Bully for me. “Why are you so interested in Emerald Heights?”

Her eyes shifted ever so slightly. That was it. She wanted something from the elves.

I leaned back against the sofa cushions, forcing myself to take a sip of my still perfectly hot latte. “Whatever it is you want, I may be able to help you with it.” I lifted my free hand, observing my nail beds.

“This stays between us?”

My eyes lifted to her face, which now held an expression I had never seen on her. I was used to the sarcasm, the bartering, the cool calculation… But what I saw now, was hope. My brows lifted. “Of course, as long as this silence goes both ways.”

I had thought she just wanted information to sell, and in that case I had to be careful. But I was beginning to doubt my original estimations.

She looked down at the periwinkle cup in her hands, her sleek black bob falling forward on either side of her strong-boned face. “Eva, I’m in love.”

I was glad I wasn’t drinking my coffee, or else I would have choked on it.

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