Page 23 of A Legacy of Poison and Lies

“Of course,” Ellisar beamed. “And until then, Lana will never let me hear the end of it if I don’t offer you our home for the night.”

Holt glanced at Zylah, as ifhewas asking. She felt the attention of the two Fae on her, waiting for her decision. Zylah nodded. “Thank you.”

They followed Lana and Ellisar past a group of faeries and across a pool, Kopi flying off into one of the trees. His home for the night, or merely a perch from which to observe and eat. The court wasn’t what Zylah had expected, but then, she hadn’t known what to expect at all. More faeries than she could count wandered in and out of the space, disappearing into the rocks and amongst the falls and up into the trees, but what lay beyond or how far the court reached, Zylah couldn’t be certain.

They made their way through a passage behind one of the falls and up a winding staircase, and for a moment Zylah thought of Arnir’s prison. The stifling air, the lack of natural light, and it struck her then—how Lady Maelissa’s court was trapped. She pressed a hand to her chest.

“Zylah?” Holt asked beside her.

“It’s fine. I’m just tired.” Another half-truth. Wooden doors branched off the passageway they’d entered, and Ellisar kissed Dalana’s knuckles as he stopped beside one of them.

“I’ll go check on the children,” he said to his mate. He looked from Holt to Zylah, bowing his head. “Goodnight.”

Lana smiled before continuing down the stone passageway, the rush of the falls following them everywhere. Orblights lit the way, though plenty of cut-outs in the rock let in light from the court beyond… even though it was night-time.

Lana signed something again to Holt, and this time Zylah recognised the word. Friend.

Friend, Holt signed back, his hands still moving. “It’s fine. I’ll take the floor. Thank you.”

The Fae opened the door to a room with a bed big enough for five people, another cut-out in the rock exposed to the rush of the falls, the curtain of water so heavy it gave complete privacy from the court beyond. The room was beautiful despite the stone. The floor was covered with soft rugs in shades of green, mimicking moss, the walls decorated with plants and mirrors, giving the illusion that they were outside. Beyond the court.

“Goodnight,” Holt said quietly, pulling Zylah from her inspection of the room.

“Oh. Thank you, Dalana. Goodnight,” she said, forcing a smile.

The Fae waved, clicking the door shut behind her as she left, the sound of the waterfall filling the space. All of Zylah’s energy had been used up on talking to people, and in the quiet of the room, she felt bone weak, drained, as if she hadn’t slept for a hundred years.

“Mae wasn’t very forthcoming when I pressed her about Marcus’s old magic,” Holt said, dragging a hand through his hair. “But playing with people is something she excels in.”

Zylah thought of the way Mae had fawned over him earlier, the way she’d pressed herself against him. “I need my things,” she murmured.

Holt flicked his wrist and their belongings appeared on the floor beside them. He took a step closer, and then waited.

Zylah swallowed. “Thank you. It’s my turn to take the floor.”

“No.”

She looked up at him, at the way he’d squared his jaw, and wondered if he was preparing for a fight. Zylah was too tired to argue. “Then we’ll share. It’s big enough for five.” She tore a shirt from her bag, fatigue tugging at every bone and muscle.

“You didn’t eat anything,” Holt said, facing away from her, inspecting the plants on the wall, arms folded across his chest.

Zylah shrugged out of her clothes and pulled her shirt over her head. Another of his. “I’m not hungry.” She’d gone past hunger hours ago. Days, probably. She pulled back the covers, climbed into bed and lay on her side, watching the water as it fell past their window.

She heard the rustle of Holt getting undressed. Felt the movement of the bed as he climbed in on the other side. Now they were in it, Zylah was certain more than five could fit in the space between them.

Zylah rolled over, her head sinking into a ridiculously puffy pillow as she looked at him. He was lying on his back, his head resting on an arm.

There was so much space between them, but she could still feel the heat from him, could still smell the earthy acani berries and muskiness of his scent, the familiarity of him soothing her a little.

“Holt?”

“Yeah?”

“There’s something strange about this place.”

He moved onto his side to face her, his brows pinched together as he studied her face. “How so?”

“Something Ellisar said. About being free. They’re trapped here. I don’t know Lady Maelissa like you do, but… is there any chance…?”

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