Page 91 of Path of the Dark
A male voice interrupted them.
Ryana launched herself to her feet, her wine splashing over the table. A few feet away, leaning against a stone pillar at the entrance to the garden, was Elias.
“How did you get in here?” she demanded.
His mouth quirked. “A servant let me in.”
“How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough.”
Ryana’s attention swept over to Mysandra. The High Enchanter sat there looking completely unruffled. Heat flowered across Ryana’s chest and crept up her neck as realization dawned. “You knew he was listening to us?”
Mysandra smiled before nodding.
Mortification rose within Ryana. Her mind raced, and she started to feel queasy. The wine had loosened her tongue. She’d been frank with the High Enchanter and open about her hurt. All the while, the man who’d betrayed her trust was eavesdropping.
Ryana shot Mysandra an infuriated look. “You shouldn’t have let him in.”
“I didn’t,” the High Enchanter replied. “But Isla’s easily convinced.” She shifted her attention to Elias, observing him keenly. “I’d wager you’re charming when it suits you.”
Elias inclined his head to the High Enchanter before favoring her with a slow smile.
“What are you doing here?” Ryana demanded.
“Looking for you, obviously. I wanted to tell you that Gael now resides in the keep … but I see you already know that.”
“And what about convincing your father to take the path of peace?”
Elias’s smile faded. “That conversation didn’t go well.” He shifted his attention back to Mysandra. “Is there somewhere I could talk to Ryana … in private?”
Ryana stiffened. “I’m not speaking to you. Get out of here … now.”
“I’m not leaving … and what I have to say is for your ears only.”
A tense silence settled over the garden courtyard, eventually broken by Mysandra. Her mouth curved as she met Elias’s eye. “Isla will take you to the library. You can talk there.”
