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She felt Sorin suck in a breath beside her, as she’d often heard Cassius do when someone challenged her. A smug smile formed on her lips, and she propped her head on her hand as she replied sweetly, “Because I know where the High Witch’s son is, and she has asked me to bring him home. She owes me a debt.”
The entire room went still and silent, except for Briar to her left, who chuckled. “I swear to Anahita, Scarlett, sometimes I think you hold back information just to reveal it at the time it will cause the most dramatics.”
But some of the others did not seem nearly as amused. “The Witches do not allow their sons to live,” Nakoa sneered. “At least not powerful ones, which I would expect a High Witch’s son to be.”
“Oh, he is,” Scarlett said, her eyes settling on Sorin, who was watching her carefully. “He is incredibly powerful. He created wards in the human lands with very little training.”
Understanding dawned as he breathed, “Cassius.”
She nodded at him as she continued. “We need to get him out of there. We leave in two days, but before we go, I need to visit Hazel.”
Sorin’s eyes widened as Cyrus exclaimed from his side, “You’re going back to the Witch Kingdoms? We just got you out of there!”
Scarlett’s eyes slid to Cyrus. “Rayner will tell you the High Witch was perfectly agreeable when I was there before. I really do not understand why there is so much fear of them.” She reached casually for a cucumber sandwich and took a bite, while every one of the Fae in the room looked at her with disbelief.
It was Sorin who cleared his throat and ventured, “Scarlett, the Witches are notorious for swinging swords first and asking questions later. They do not hesitate to kill for the slightest offense. Not to mention they are incredibly powerful. The fact that you entered their lands without permission and left without even a scratch is unheard of. They have sent heads back without the bodies to prove outsiders are not welcome. I truly do not know how you did it.”
“But she didn’t even threaten me. She wasn’t exactly pleasant, but she escorted me to the Oracle herself,” Scarlett argued, taking another bite of her sandwich.
“Yes, but she addressed you as Majesty,” Rayner cut in with his quiet, calculating voice. “She appeared to have already known you were a queen before you had even accepted it yourself. She would be a fool to attack a Fae Queen.”
“Then I shall be safe this time as well,” Scarlett countered.
“You cannot just go to the Witch Kingdoms, Scarlett. Going there requires weeks of correspondence and arrangements being made,” Sorin said.
“I do not have that kind of time,” Scarlett answered calmly. “She will see me.”
“It is just not how things are done,” Sorin countered.
She could hear the exasperation and frustration in his voice. She didn’t care. She carefully set her half-eaten sandwich on a napkin before her, then she slowly met his stare. “I am not asking for your permission, Sorin.” Her voice was low and sharp. The others in the room had fallen silent.
“What happened to everyone in this room having a say?” he bit back through gritted teeth. Turning to the rest of the table, he asked, “Who here thinks this needs more planning?”
“The Witch Kingdoms are unreliable and perilous,” Eliza cut in. “It would be incredibly risky to go without an invitation.”
“I am going,” Scarlett said, finality ringing in her tone. “Yes, everyone here has a say, but everyone here is also free to make their own choices, including me.”
“Then why even have this council?” Sorin seethed.
“Sorin, I cannot leave him there any longer! I need you to come to Baylorin with me, and I need you to be able to access your magic. The High Witch may be able to help with that.” She stared into his golden eyes. She could feel everyone’s eyes on them. “I do not make this choice to be brash and naïve. I make it because I need you with me when we go get Cassius… And when we face Mikale.”
She had never spoken so plainly. She had never spoken so boldly of her needs. The Assassin Lord had drilled into her that to need was to show weakness. Never reveal your weaknesses. Better yet, don’t have any. But she knew she could not face Mikale alone, not again. So she laid herself bare before him. She needed him, and she needed Cassius.
Sorin breathed out a heavy sigh. “Then I am going with you to the Witch Kingdoms.”
She threw a knowing look at Briar, who was trying his best to hide the smile that played at his lips as he sat quietly beside her. “The Witches hate males, and I can’t entirely say that I blame them when you get so fucking overprotective,” Scarlett grumbled, crossing her arms and sitting back in her chair. At the narrowing of Sorin’s eyes, she added, “I’ll take Eliza and Neve with me if it will make you feel better.”
“No,” Sorin answered flatly.
“No?” Scarlett asked, with a tilt of her head.
“You are free to make your choices, myQueen, and so am I, according to what you just said. I will either go with you, or I will go on my own.”
“Then I guess we are going on an adventure,” Scarlett replied sweetly.
Chapter 45
Callan
