Page 64 of A Legacy of Poison and Lies

But Holt’s expression darkened for a moment at her words, just as Nye returned from her conversation with the solider.

“Plans of the mine are on their way to us,” Nye told Holt.

Whatever Zylah had seen in his face before was gone as Holt said, “Even if we can destroy the mine, we need to be prepared for whatever Marcus is forging into weapons.”

Weapons like the one Jesper had taken from Arnir. The sword he’d wielded to keep Raif and Holt’s powers diminished when he took Raif’s life. Zylah shifted on her feet, hoping it might be mistaken for discomfort watching the two soldiers who were still sparring. One of them was the soldier who’d almost knocked her off her feet the day before, strands of hair falling across his face that he slicked back with a swipe of his hand.

“My uncle believes he has a lead on that,” Nye said, just as Slick ducked from the other soldier’s grasp in an impressive evasive move.

“Another advantage he hopes to hold over me?” Holt asked quietly.

“Give him time, Holt.”

“We don’t have time, Nye. The moment the scouts locate the key, we’ll be leaving to retrieve it. And I hope it’s enough to convince Malok.”

“He knows he cannot run from this. None of us can,” Nye said with finality.

No one could argue with that.

“I’ll leave you to your training. I promised Rin and Kej my help with something today.” Holt made for the door, his eyes meeting Zylah’s for a moment. “Zylah,” he said quietly. As if it were an apology rather than a farewell.

We don’t have time.Zylah had never been so acutely aware of the minutes and hours ticking by whilst they were trapped in the court, all too mindful that her ability to find the key might be the difference between them succeeding and failing in securing Malok’s soldiers.

If she found it, she would still be a murderer. It wouldn’t make her any less of a monster, either. It wouldn’t help chase away the feeling that wrapped itself around her heart and left her feeling empty. But it could be her legacy. The one thing she could do to make a difference before she left this world.

“I need more time to look at the book,” Nye murmured absentmindedly, as if she’d felt the shadows snaking their way into Zylah’s thoughts.

Out of the corner of her eye, Zylah knew Slick and the other soldier had finished their sparring session, but she made sure he didn’t know she was paying attention. If he had any connection to Selas and the others, she knew she needed to tread carefully.

“I love my uncle, but I don’t trust him,” Nye added.

“What’s happening tonight?” Zylah asked. “Who else will be present at this meal?”

“There are representatives here from the Lychnus Court. They remained after Jora’s funeral. They’ll be in attendance.”

Discomfort slid along Zylah’s bare arms, and she wrapped them around herself to hide her shiver.

“Come on.” Nye gave Zylah’s shoulder a nudge. “We’ve got our own shit to work through here first.”

The Fae stepped into a starting position, and Zylah didn’t have a moment longer to dwell on her unsettling thoughts.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Trepidationturnedtoirethe moment Zylah stepped into the dining room. Daven, one of the three Fae who had attacked her a few days before, sat at a large table beside Malok, swirling a glass of amber liquid.

Nye bristled beside her. “I wasn’t aware he’d be here; I wouldn’t have asked—”

“It’s fine,” Zylah murmured, flashing a small smile to her friend. The effects of the baylock tea she’d sipped at whilst getting ready had already begun to fade, and she smoothed her hands down the dress Rin had let her borrow in an effort to still the tremor threatening to roll through her.

Floor length and figure-hugging, the dress had a slit up to one thigh, the navy silk concealing a dagger disguised with a deceit. She wasn’t taking any chances, and now she was glad she hadn’t.

She took in the dimly lit room, tiny orblights crisscrossing over the ceiling to the arched windows, leading to the glittering stars beyond. Zylah had expected a hall, had anticipated more members of the court to be present, but from the size of the table almost filling the space entirely, it was clear that this was to be a more intimate affair.

Kej and Rin cut them off on their approach to the table, passing a full glass to each of them.

“Squeezing them in before Cirelle arrives?” Nye asked with a raised eyebrow, accepting her glass from Kej.

“We’re going to need it tonight,” Rin murmured. She wore a similar dress to the one she had loaned Zylah, the silver shimmering beneath the orblights. Though hers was less revealing, and Zylah wondered if it was merely because of the nature of the meal or because of the company.

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