Page 58 of Chaos Tempted

“It feels real, even now.”

“Can you feel my bond?”I ask.

She takes a moment to feel our connection.“I sensed it, thrumming in my heart.”

With my ability, I know she’s wondering if our bond can be faked, as her nightmare suggests.

Before I can address that, she asks,“Why are we in the mortal realm? Do you think Twyla could have done this to me? But why would she do that?”

“Yes. It’s the reason we are here. She might not even know she’s doing it. We hope it isn’t intentional.”

Wyn’s eyes are wide.“But what will we do if thatisn’tthe case?”

“I won’t let this happen to you again. Not if I can stop it… by whatever means. So we must confront her.”

A shiver ripples down Wyn’s spine when I essentially threaten Twyla’s life. None of us wants that. More bloodshed is what we are hoping to avoid.

26

ACCUSATIONS

WYNSTELLE

Oakes feeds me some of his healing energy until the rest of our ride to King Nathaniel’s castle ends. He hasn’t pried me for more information about my nightmare, and I’m happy for the silence because I’m trying to make sense of what it means.

IsTwyla trying to hurt me? Or was the spell an accident? Or was this all my subconscious, trying to warn me I’m going to be betrayed?

It’s a frightening thought that Twyla is an expert liar. The changeling has had to lie about her identity her entire life, and I wonder how living this way might twist someone—always pretending to be someone you are not.

Does Twyla resent her life with King Nathaniel? Or resent King Magnus for putting her in this position? Did Twyla just slip into the false identity and forget her origins until I arrived and shook up her world?

I know what it’s like to have one’s life completely shaken. Mine has flipped like a full table and smashed into a million pieces recently. But I have my elves to keep me sane. Their love and acceptance have helped, but I’m still reeling from the changes.

As we near the entrance gates of my father’s castle, my whole body tenses.

Oakes strokes my arm in reassurance.“We will get through this,”he reassures me through our unique connection.

How can he promise something like that? They don’t know what awaits us behind the castle wall. Besides, I’m not sure I’m even safe in my own mind.

Eldrin calls out to Rhys, “We will need a private audience with the king and princess at once.”

Rhys gives him a sharp nod and trots ahead to announce our arrival and needs.

Once inside the castle walls, we are escorted to King Nathaniel’s private meeting chamber. When we enter, Princess Twyla is sitting stiffly and nervously next to the king.

I lock eyes with the changeling. Twyla flinches, which is unlike her normally unflappable persona.

The door shuts, and Nathaniel hurries over to hug me—his true and secret daughter. “Why have I been blessed with a visit so soon after your departure? Has King Magnus changed his mind about you staying with me?”

Ignoring his hopeful questions, I take a moment to enjoy my father’s embrace. It’s a precious thing, having spent only a few short days with him in my entire life.

“I…” I can’t bring myself to upset him and accuse Twyla. How will he react? Twyla has been his daughter all these years. Not me—I’m a stranger.

“Wynstelle suffered a psychic attack this morning,” Eldrin states simply, and he intently studies the changeling for a reaction.

“What?” King Nathaniel pulls back from the embrace and gazes into my eyes, searching for any signs of suffering.

I wonder if my confusion and pain are evident, if someone looks deeply enough into my eyes.

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