Page 106 of A Deception of Courts

“I’m sorry it ended the way it did,” I said, drawing my hand down his cheek.

Duncan’s eyes narrowed, and he rolled back his shoulders. “I’m not. I’m only sorry I didn’t figure it out before. It would have saved a lot of pain. Friend or not, he hurt you before he revealed his true nature. That should’ve been enough. You are far more important than anything else, remember that.”

“And now you are forced to stare into his face until this is over,” I replied, smiling before realising who exactly smiled back at Duncan. Which was why his lips hardly so much as twitched.

“As I said earlier, you’re no longer theonlyimportant person in my life,” Duncan replied. “So is Eroan here. His survival is as important as yours. The moment we win, and we will, you are coming back here, and Eroan is going to pull every one of his threads apart until he returns you back to me.”

“That I shall,” Eroan answered, turning away from the table. He was finished with Kayne’s face. “Stay safe, Robin Icethorn. I’m no king, but I say that as an order. I cannot give strength to the thought of losing you, when I have so many more stories just waiting to share about your mother.”

“Then I will have to come back,” I replied, standing from the chair with the aid of Duncan’s offered hand. “When this is over, I could do with someone of your knowledge and loyalty in Icethorn to stand by my side.”

Eroan’s tired face lifted in a smile.

“It would be my honour. And, must I say, I am very much ready to return to Icethorn.” Eroan bowed. “I’ve missed my home. Now, is there anything you need of me before I take my leave?”

“Only that you will need to pack a bag,” I said, offering my thanks with a smile. I felt my adoration for him swell in my chest. “Your home awaits.”

“Thank you.” Eroan bowed deeply again, his voice muffled in thanks as his sobs finally overtook him. Without another word, he left, sweeping from the room on quick feet.

I stepped forward, pulling free from Duncan’s hand, as my eyes fell back on Kayne’s dead body. My knees wobbled, but I gripped the edge of the table to steady myself as I saw what was now upon it.

It was my face that rested among the white sheets. Not Kayne’s. Dark, obsidian eyes. Locks of midnight hair fanned out around the head. Skin as pale as winter’s first snow. The subtle point of ears that belonged to a fey, not a human.

“Uncanny,” I breathed, reaching for the point of cheekbone that stretched the surrounding skin. It was cold to the touch, but real. The image of my face did not fade away or ripple like disturbed water to reveal the image beneath.

It stayed there, unwavering.

“And beautiful,” Duncan added. “Although, seeing this is my greatest fear, brought to life.”

He turned his back on the table, rather facing Kayne’s face then seeing the death on mine, whereas I couldn’t do anything but look. I marvelled at the face that I knew so well. I replayed Eroan’s comments about my features and how similar they were to my deceased parents’. Hearing his words in my mind was enough to dilute the horror of looking at my face upon the dead body before me.

“You know, this might just work,” I said, speaking my thoughts aloud, recognising hope swell in my chest. “I hardly dare admit it, but it might.”

“All we need is a moment of distraction. A way of getting close enough to Aldrick to kill him, reclaim the keys and end this twisted desire for a demon god.”

“Simple yet effective.”

“That indeed, but you must remember one thing. Presenting Aldrick with what he believes to beyourdead body is only going to anger him,” Duncan reminded. “You are going to need to be ready for that.”

My stomach flipped at the thought. I tore my attention from my face and looked back at Duncan, whose eyes beheld a clashing storm of concern.

“That is exactly the reaction I hope for,” I muttered. “There is nothing more distracting than anger. I want Aldrick to feel it, to lose himself in it. I will be ready when he does.”

Duncan narrowed his dark-forest eyes at me, and the corners of his lips turned upward slowly. “Careful, Robin, such promises of danger will excite me. I want nothing more than to turn all of this pain toward Aldrick, so he experiences what it feels like to lose.”

As did I.

“Tell me it will work,” I said, needing to hear someone else believe it was a possibility. “One more time.”

“For our sakes, I hope so. But if anyone can do it,” Duncan replied, keeping his focus on his boots this time, “you can. It is our only chance.”

I looked away, worried he would see the dark thoughts pass in my mind. This wasn’t our only chance; it was ourlastchance.

And I would make every moment count for the people I loved.

Duncan, Althea, Gyah and even Rafaela, all who’d paid the price to help me. But Erix, too… I would do it for him. And I would do it for me.

CHAPTER 30

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