Page 55 of A Court Bright and Broken

There. Now I was covered if, in fact, any members of the Elardis family were in attendance tonight.

Pharis’ expression softened a bit. “You’re clever, aren’t you?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I mean, you think before you speak.”

“And that makes me clever?” My heart was tapping a frantic rhythm that surpassed even the up-tempo dance. He wasdefinitelysuspicious of me.

“Either clever… or duplicitous. I intend to stay right by your side until I find out which one it is.”

My body went stiff in his arms, while inside I was battling the instinct to bolt. I felt like a rabbit with one foot caught in a snare.

“You… don’t need to do that,” I protested.

If Pharis kept a watch on me the whole evening, he’d see me receive Sorcha’s message, and I might not be able to perform my mission. My family would suffer the consequences.

“Oh but Iwantto,” he purred. “You’re quite an interesting woman, Wyn of House Elardis. Obviously my brother and father agree.”

That confirmed it—the Earthwife must have added somethingextrato my Elven disguise. And Pharis knew it somehow.

“I assure you, I am quite average.”

His focus intensified. “See? Right there. Every unmated woman in this room would give her finest jewels to dance with the Crown Prince—or with me. They’re all doing their best to capture our notice and convince us that they’re fascinating and desirable.”

He dipped me back a bit so he could look me up and down. “Every woman but you. You’re the least willing bridal candidate I’ve ever seen.”

Then his grip on me tightened, becoming brutal as he held me close.

“Or perhaps you’re not here to catch a prince. Whydidyou come?”

The words were whispered in my ear, his hot breath causing chills to race all over my body.

I had to think quickly. Pharisknewsomething was off about me. I hoped I reallywasclever, as he’d said.

Letting out a long breath, I forced myself to meet his mind-scrambling blue gaze. “You’re right. I have not been true.”

He was clearly surprised by my confession, giving me an alert glance.

“I did come to the ball as hopeful as any of the other women here,” I said. “Who would not want to attend an evening such as this and have a chance to change her fate?”

Lifting my hand from his shoulder, I gestured around to the splendor.

“There’s nothing like this in Altum where I live. But you were correct when you told your brother I wasn’t the woman he was looking for.”

One of his dark brows rose. “I know whyIthink that. I’m curious to hear why you do.”

I tried to sound contrite. “I am not of noble birth. I’m not even a distant cousin of the Elardis family. I’m only a villager in their region.”

Pharis nodded as if satisfied. “I knew it. Where’d you get that invitation?”

His voice hardened again. “And before you attempt to lie, you should know Irecognizedmy brother’s handwriting. The truth now. Did you steal it?”

Swallowing hard, I tried to master the terror threatening to drain all the strength from my legs and drop me on the spot. Pharis didn’t seem to have lie-detecting glamour, but he certainly hadsomething.

“He gave it to me,” I said honestly.

His head cocked to the side, and his eyes narrowed. “Why?”

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