Page 20 of A Story of Sinners

Eulalia’s eyes strayed to meet mine, lingering for just a moment, tracing over my form to ensure I was real. Her breath caught as I met her look, and I could have sworn relief flashed through her eyes.

That fleeting look must have been imagined, though, because before I knew it, her demeanor shifted entirely. A wall dropped between us, and her expression shifted to complete indifference. She raised her chin, and her eyes slid from mine to Aiden’s.

I’d been effectively dismissed. She still hated me. For what I was. What I’d done.

A sharp pang stabbed my chest at the lack of caring—the lack of concern. I gasped at the painful emotion that somehow managed to breach the numb nothingness in my heart.

Matilda followed, Isadora at her side. The poor little seer looked as if she’d aged a century, though her slight build remained reminiscent of a child. My brow wrinkled at Isadora beside her, her sister Kathryn not at her side.

Kathryn was always at her side.

The final member of their party strolled in behind them, sucking the air from the room as he took his place front and center.

My mouth parted, and a shuddering breath escaped my lungs as his scent slammed into me so hard, it made my knees weak. I fumbled backwards into Brandon, then quickly righted myself, morphing my face into something expressionless, impassive.

Though his face was covered, our connection dampened, I would recognize him anywhere by scent alone.

I held my breath as he approached Aiden, curious as to whether Aiden would recognize him. When Ryken pulled down his hood, revealing locks of silvery hair and a gilded crown, the king of Cambriel remained nonplussed.

The two stared at each other for a moment, the air growing tense. Then, Ryken’s head shifted, and his eyes blazed in my direction. He looked well, jaw droppingly gorgeous as usual, but something feral crept along the edges of his aura. The same crown from my dreams sat atop his silver hair, which had seemed to grow longer at the top since the last time I’d seen him. Swirling designs were etched into the undercut, similar to the leaves and thorns adorning the crown atop his head.

Aiden traced the path of Ryken’s vision, and his eyes narrowed. “Ryken, or should I say, High King of Faerie?”

Ryken sized him up, and a slow, mocking smile stretched across his face. “Aiden, or should I say, King of Cambriel?”

The two locked themselves into a stare down, refusing to blink or yield. Finally, Aiden gave in, shifting his gaze to greet Eulalia, and recognition lit his eyes. He’d captured her once and remembered it vividly.

His lips pressed into a grim line as he scanned Ryken’s party. “And who have you brought with you?”

A pointless question, seeing as he remembered the witches in attendance.

“Fin, heir to the Dragon Lands.” Ryken directed with his palm. “Eulalia, head witch of the Gallows Coven. Her second, Isadora, and Matilda, seer of the Gallows Coven. I believe you have met Eulalia and Isadora before.”

Aiden lowered his head at the women. “We have, though it was under difficult circumstances. Circumstances I sincerely regret.” He grimaced. “I assume you are here to attend the summit?”

Eulalia glared at Aiden and firmed her jaw.

“Obviously,” Ryken snorted. “I am here to offer assistance, with conditions attached.”

“Should I even bother asking of those conditions?”

“I only want one thing,” Ryken stated. “But you already know what that is.”

Aiden hummed beneath his breath and dismissed Ryken’s unspoken request. “The summit will last one week, and discussions will start tomorrow. There is plenty of time to make bargains and conditions later. I urge you to find an alternate request, as I most likely will not satisfy the one you have in mind.”

Ryken’s eyes flared, and he stepped forward, his muscles coiled and ready to attack. Eulalia held her arm in front of his chest. “No.”

Ryken stared down his nose at her and pursed his lips, contemplating whether to listen to her guidance or not. A silent conversation passed between the two, their gazes locked in a challenge of wills.

My heart stopped when he nodded in confirmation, muscles relaxing as he overcame the urge to strike out, to fight for me, to free me. It resumed its pace when he turned to Aiden and spoke, his tone filled with warning. “Fine. Tomorrow, we will discuss a trade, but I warn you, there is no substitute request. You don’t want to make an enemy out of me, Princeling.”

Ryken and his party quickly exited the way they entered, a host chasing after to lead them to their accommodations.

I clutched my chest and inhaled, questions clouding my thoughts. Why was Ryken listening to Eulalia’s guidance, and why did she seem not to want me?

For the first time in a long time, that cold, numb feeling receded, and I…felt. The feelings were horrible and disappointing, but regardless, they were there. They existed.

I wasn’t dead inside after all.

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