Page 122 of Heir of Illusion

“What happened to Nigel Pomeroy was an unspeakable tragedy.” Anger contorts his features, sending a spark of fear through me.

My hands lie in my lap, my fingers twisting together. Warnings blare through my mind, urging me to flee. The room is completely silent, everyone sensing the shift in his demeanor. Whatever is about to happen isn’t going to be good.

“It was a crime only the most monstrous and cowardly soul would commit,” he continues. “It’s for this reason that I have placed a bounty on the Angel of Mercy.”

Gasps erupt from the crowd as my stomach drops.

“Anyone who comes forward with information that leads to the capture of this vile individual will be awarded fifty-thousand gold coins. Together, we will catch this villain!” Baylor shouts as the crowd cheers. “Together, we will destroy the Angel of Mercy!”

Chapter

Thirty-Two

Wine coats my tongue before it settles in my stomach, warming my body from the inside out. The one thing I will compliment Baylor on is his taste in alcohol. He spares no expense on his indulgences.

“Your Majesty,” Kaldar’s dull voice says. He hasn’t stopped talking since dinner began. “You need not rely on vigilantes and opportunists to capture the Angel of Mercy. And given the food shortages in the north, I’m not sure such a large sum should have been promised.”

My eyes roll back in my skull as he carries on with his protests. Unfortunately, saying no wasn’t an option when Baylor ordered me to join them for dinner tonight. The scent of butter and herbs wafts through his private dining chamber, but I have no appetite. Instead, I’m choosing to consume a liquid meal this evening. But if they don’t start eating faster, I’m going to pass out before dinner’s over. They’ve barely made it past the first course, and I’m already finishing my second glass.

Resentment brews over the topic of conversation, making the alcohol sour in my stomach. It appears Della was right about the bounty. Everyone in the city is going to be hunting me now. Memories of the way I spoke to her that night poison my already terrible mood. I should never have said those things to her.

The list of people who know my identity is small, only those we trust, but fifty thousand gold coins is enough to make people do things they swore they never would…. like turn on a friend.

“If you would only give me another chance, I’ll prove to you that I’m more than capable of catching this bastard,” the adviser insists, his dark eyes beseeching the king.

“Then why have you not succeeded already?” Baylor snaps, evidently just as annoyed as I am.

A flush blossoms under Kaldar’s pale skin and he tucks his chin, hiding his embarrassment behind the stringy black hair that falls into his face. “I will not fail you again.”

Baylor sits back, taking a sip from his goblet. “I should hope not.”

I hide my smirk behind my own glass, my gaze snagging on the way Baylor checks his pocket watch for the third time since dinner started. His lips thin as his attention flickers to the door. Are we expecting an addition to our party? When I sat down, I noticed the table was set for more guests, but I assumed it was an oversight.

I lean forward, setting down my wine. “Is someone else joining us?”

The words have barely left my mouth when the door swings open.

Doral enters, bowing at the waist. “Your guests, my king.”

My heart constricts as the last person I expected to see strides into the room.

“Sorry we’re late,” Thorne says, a wicked grin curving his lips.

Memories of those lips on my skin send a flash of heat straight to my core. I shift in my seat, willing myself to calm down. If I don’t get my reactions under control, everyone will know what happened between us the other night.

“No matter,” Baylor responds coolly. “We started without you.”

“I’d expect nothing less.”

Behind Thorne, two others file into the dining room. Griffen catches my eye and I cringe when I recall the way he caught us in that alley. I can’t imagine what his thoughts were when he stumbled upon me and Thorne doing… whatever it was we were doing. Steering my thoughts away from that topic, my attention settles on their other companion, recognizing her instantly.

Fia.

The woman who accompanied them to the ball. Her dark hair is pulled back into a simple, yet elegant chignon. I catch the slightly rounded points of her ears poking out, marking her as half fae. Dark coal lines her eyes, complimenting the depth of her brown irises. She’s extremely lovely, and yet the sight of her next to Thorne makes my stomach twist.

I expect Thorne to take the seat at the end, directly opposite from Baylor. But instead, he pulls out the chair next to mine, sliding into it despite the questioning glances thrown his way. Griffen helps himself to the seat across from Thorne, accepting the unfortunate task of sitting next to Kaldar. Which leaves Fia stuck at the other end of the rectangular table, across from the king.

Thorne’s eyes burn into the side of my face, but I refuse to glance in his direction.

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