Page 51 of Forgotten Monsters
“Why?” I’m struggling to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together, wondering what in the dark gods’ name would have pushed Darkwood to get rid of his own son.
“He insisted that I should swear my life and obedience to the Fae King to spy on them and prevent a potential attack, but I quickly realized the Fae weren’t conspiring against us. They were far too busy waging war on the Unseelie. In fact, my father only aimed to destroy their influence on the Council for his own personal gain. I want to take him down as much as you do.”
I squeeze his lower arm, my heart breaking for him, but his words music to my ears. Somehow, in the decade that I missed, Trent and I ended up on the same side again, and the thought warms my heart.
“I’m sorry he treated you that way.” I rest my hand over his for a split second. “And I’m glad we’re on the same side again.”
“Oh, I’m on your side,” a warm smile stretches his lips, “but I still think Cole is an egotistical prick.”
“Err—” I hesitate.
Despite the harsh words, mischief dances in his garnet eyes. “Seriously though, he could have made my life hell, but he didn’t. I think in memory of you.”
“It’s so strange. For me it’s only been weeks since I left Dark Falls.”
He sobers up, his face a shade whiter than it was a minute ago. “I wasn’t kidding, you know. My father would kill us all, if necessary. Whatever happens at the ball, you need to be careful.”
“I promise.”
Funny how only weeks ago, I sat with him downstairs in the library, certain we could never be on the same side again. That’ll teach me to take anything in this life for granted.
“Winslow. A word?” Brie chucks out from the doorway, her face green.
I follow the mermaid to the middle of the stacks. Scales fade in and out on her arms as she paces the aisle. A salty mist freckles my face when she suddenly comes to a halt and plants a kiss on my lips.
I jerk away. “What are you doing?”
She cries out in frustration. “Isn’t it my only play? The one chance I have to remain in his life? Flynn managed to worm his way inside your relationship—”
“Flynn is different. We care for each other. You don’t evenlikeme.”
A foursome is out of the equation because Brie simply sets my teeth on edge.
“True. In fact, I hate you. How does it feel? To know the most powerful man in the three realms can’t go to sleep without seeing your face? That he was so broken by your death that he almost burned down the world?”
“You’re exaggerating—”
“I’ve loved him my whole life. Do you know how it feels to live for someone who doesn’t love you back? To hold his hand when he’s injured and clean up his messes while he grapples at every violent distraction he can find? To see him keep himself imprisoned in a well of grief so deep that you have no hope he’ll ever make it out?”
I swallow the hard lump in my throat. Despite all the jealousy, and our differences, I’m grateful to her for taking care of Cole during his darkest days.
Brie’s arms fall at her sides. “I hate you because losing you caused him so muchpain.”
“It wasn’t my choice,” I croak.
“I’m not saying it makes sense.” With that, she buries her hands in her jacket and walks off. The salty aftertaste of her tears mist the air.
19
SCORNED WITCH
Cinderella’s late for the ball. My promiscuous escort is not known for his punctuality, so I watch the first guests arrive from the comfort and security of a tall pine. The new dining hall is twice as big as the old one, with an indoor pool and a ballroom.
I couldn’t care less about it, but I need to catch a glimpse of Daniel. I need a moment alone to see him, his new fiancée, and his treacherous smile.
My ex-lover steps out of the gates’ portal flanked by his men, and I hold my breath. From afar, he hasn’t changed a bit. A tailcoat white jacket with a matching undershirt molds his body, a fancy, old fashioned look I’ve never seen on him. His back is to me as he chats with the agents. I can almost hear what they’re saying, but not quite.
The caterers and waiters—along with Lydia and Jules—are already inside the building. According to Deveraux, the Magisterium is mostly there to protect Darkwood and his guests from the hollows, not to swarth a politicalcoup d’état,but their numbers unnerve me all the same. There’s twice as many Magus as there were at Darkwood’s inauguration ceremony, and I frown.
