Page 62 of Chaos Tempted

“I won’t harm you or him,” Twyla says in a strange tone.

“But were you supposed to undermine him?” I ask quietly, hoping that the changeling will confide in me.

“I haven’t been ordered to do so.”

I read between her words. “But King Magnus or someone elsemighteventually ask that of you.”

“I’m not ignorant of the reason I would have been placed in this position of power, so close to the king. The Mage Weaver said I might be called on one day to help my people.”

“Does King Nathaniel know about what the Weaver said?” I ask.

“No.” Twyla’s voice grows hard. “And I don’t plan on telling him, because if my task is to hurt him, Iwon’tdo it. To say that the Weaver might use me would only cause him unnecessary pain. And she may never call upon me.”

“But what if your task is to help start a war between the realms?”

Twyla is quiet for several moments. “I don’t think I could do that either.”

“If you won’t do any harm, then why not tell him that? Because Eldrin wasn’t too far off in suspecting you of subterfuge.” I accuse, “Youknowshe will call on you.”

“I won’t do anything to jeopardize his trust. Not even tell him my suspicions,” Twyla says, her fist pounds her knee, emphasizing the words.

I know there’s no budging her on this topic. “Fine. But will you help me convince King Nathaniel to let Eldrin and the others out of the dungeon?”

Twyla shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but I need to stay out of this situation.”

“Youarethe situation!” I snap.

“Exactly!” Twyla shoots back. “Whoever is influencing the king might turn him against me if I help you.”

“Maybe youshouldn’tbe around him. The magic might make you do something youclaimyou don’t want to do,” I say with snark.

Twyla catches my meaning, and her eyes widen. “Do you really think I attacked you?”

“If not you, then it’s the mage using you.” I shrug. “You might not realize that you did it.”

The changeling pauses at this and thinks about the possibility. “I don’t think it could have been me, not without my knowing. I believe I’ve been aware of when our connection was awakened.”

I toss my hands up in exasperation. “So you really don’t think my psychic attack has anything to do with you or our link?”

“It isn’t as if you don’t have a long list of enemies.” Twyla crosses her arms defiantly.

I huff, annoyed, but don’t have a defense against the truth. Twyla still might be on that list. How can I really trust the changeling? Of course, she would say that she hadn’t attacked me because Eldrin, Oakes, and Jaden wouldn’t let Twyla get away with an attack. What can be won by arguing with her now? Twyla will never admit to wrongdoing or evenpotentialwrongdoings on behalf of Magnus and the Mage Weaver. So all I can do is focus on speaking with King Nathaniel in the morning.

“I’m tired.” I glance around for a place to lie down. “Where did you expect me to sleep?”

Twyla waves a hand at her bedchamber. “You can sleep with me in my bed. It’s huge.”

“No.” I point to a large chaise lounge chair with a throw blanket in the main room. “I’ll take that.”

Twyla looks shocked. “That isn’t fit for a princess to sleep on.”

“I’m not a princess. I’m an Elvenslave.”

Twyla winces, remembering what King Nathaniel just said. “He didn’t mean that.”

“Oh, I think he did.” I get comfortable in the reclining chair and add bitterly, “That’s fine. I’ve been alowlyservant all my life. I make do with practically nothing.”

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