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I’m taking a giant leap, allowing them to see inside the safest place in our territory, but this is the best way to get them into the palace without being seen.
I didn’t tell anyone they were coming.
Granted... They were already on their way when I sent the homing pigeon to Lyell. So they were going to show up, anyway.
I push the thoughts away as we near the palace door. I’ve known Lyell since we were children, playing together at the bi-yearly meetings between the queens that used to take place in the center of our island. He wouldn’t bring anyone with him who wished ill on the Mongrels. I trust him and his judgment.
He’s not who I’m struggling to understand, though.
Inside the palace, I lead them to the throne room to wait for Ada and Madigan. Rinya fixes herself at the double doors for us, ensuring no one enters without permission.
Lyell glances around once more, then he turns to me. “Where is Madigan?”
“They went to the clinic to see Imryll,” Connak dismissively explains.
It’s not a big deal to us because Ada frequents the clinic simply to be in Imryll’s company while he works. But the Shades don’t know that.
“Why does she need a doctor?” the quiet man asks, his irises fading to black as he speaks. “Where is she?”
The Shade hunter only settles when Lyell grips his shoulder. “Perhaps it isn’t Madi that needed a doctor, Thinik? We’ve just arrived, and by the looks of it, she didn’t know we were coming.”
“I didn’t tell her or Ada,” I confess. “I thought a surprise visit might raise her spirits.”
“And he didn’t want to tell Ada she was right,” Connak adds.
I glare at him. “That too.”
Lyell grins. “Who is Ada?”
“I am,” she answers from the doorway, regal in her navy skirt and pale blue blouse. “Who are you?”
Madigan stops in her tracks, gripping Ada’s elbow as her mouth hangs open in shock. Liquid pools in her eyes as she murmurs, “What are you doing here?”
“It helps to know people,” Lyell jokes, walking toward her.
She laughs as she wipes the tears from her cheeks. “It’s not safe to be here.”
“We’re safe,” Lyell promises her. “Ecaeris keeps his word.”
Ada narrows her hazel eyes as she watches me. I shrug as if I don’t know what he’s talking about, but she’s quick to call me on my lie.
She gently elbows me in the ribs as she whispers, “I thought you said you weren’t sweet.”
“I’m not.”
“This is sweet, Ecaeris. Doing for others, even if it’s outside your comfort—”
“I didn’t do this for her,” I quietly state. “I did it for you.”
“That’s even sweeter,” she says, her smile illuminating the vast room.
The blonde man moves toward us, his ire set on Ada, though it doesn’t seem to bother her. “Why does Madi have a bandage on her arm?”
“Hi,” Ada snarks in such a familiar way that I struggle to hide my grin. “Lovely to meet you. I’m Ada Stormbrave. And you are?”
“Why does—”
“Pyris,” Madi cuts him off.
