Page 120 of A Court Bright and Broken

“What do you think their lives will be like then?” I asked. “Old women with no children, no families, who’ve been ‘serving’ a depraved Fae king for years or decades? They’ll be outcasts among the other humans—even more destitute than my family—which is saying a lot.”

“Speaking of your family,” he said, leaning forward. “I was sincere about taking care of them. Just tell me what they need and where to send it.”

My chin jutted up, a flood of fiery obstinance filling me with new strength. Stellon had shown me his true colors. There was no way I could trust him with my family’s whereabouts, with their safety.

And I’d been a fool to evenconsidertrusting him with my heart.

“No thank you,” I said.

His eyes widened in shock. “What? Why not? All I want to do is help—you have to believe me.”

“If you want me to believe you, then do something about the humans in the retinue,” I challenged.

“I’ve already told you I can’t do that.”

“And I’ve already toldyouI don’t need your help. I’ll figure it out on my own. All I need is to heal and getoutof this place.”

Rising from the settee, I walked around the room, gingerly at first, testing the ankle.

While the overdose of saol water had made me foolish enough to kiss Stellon, it had also accomplished one helpful thing—my ankle was definitely improved today.

Maybe even enough to walk home.

“I’m finished waiting,” I said, coming to a stopandcoming to a new decision.

Turning to Stellon, I said, “I want you to smuggle me out of here—tonight.”

Chapter 31

Get Over It

Stellon

I knew Raewyn’s faith had been shaken by my father’s untimely intrusion and the things she’d overheard.

And I didn’t blame her for wanting to get away from us.

For the first time, I was starting to see just how distasteful some of the Elven practices I’d always taken for granted really were.

But I couldn’t allow her to leave. Not angry like this.

And not when I still had no idea which village she was from. She’d steadfastly refused to name it or even give me her surname since the moment I’d met her.

“No. Not yet,” I said. “It’s not safe.”

“It’s not safe for me here either, is it?” she challenged. “What with various members of your family—whohate meand all my kind—traipsing in and out at will.”

“I have told you I’d never let anyone hurt you—not even my brother or my father,” I insisted.

“You’ve also told me your father gets whatever he wants,” she said. “And that you do nothing to stop him.”

“That’s different. It has nothing to do with you.”

Her eyebrow went up, disbelieving. “Really? I’m just another human in his eyes. Why would you have hidden me under the bed if you weren’t afraid he’d hurt me?”

After a pause she said, “Or maybe you were just afraid of what he’d think of you kissing a human girl whoisn’tbrainwashed. He might think you actually cared for me.”

“I do care for you,” I insisted.

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