Page 65 of A Beautifully Crafted Lie

I raise my hand, silencing him. It’s all I can bear to hear. I’m sorry. The words sicken me. I step back when he reaches out for me, so fast that I stumble over my own feet, almost falling. “Don’t you dare touch me!” My response comes as a hiss, like that of a cat backed into a corner, ready to attack despite the consequences.

“Bryn, please…” He rocks forward as though he plans to pursue me, but doesn’t. “I can’t—”

“I hate you!” I march out the door without looking back. Without releasing my breath in fear that my tears may follow. Did he take me to the meadow to manipulate me? I won’t be his Selma.

“Are you alright?” Aed murmurs as I round the corner leading to my room.

I sniff back my unshed tears. I won’t cry. Not for him. “You were right.” The words are bitter to swallow. My jaw clenches so tight, my teeth hurt.

“What will you do now?” He stirs, slithering beneath my skin, uncoiling from his slumber.

“I’ll find her and free her. I don’t need his help.” I close the door and lean against it, letting my head roll back against the cool wooden structure. Declan’s note scratches against my chest, hidden beneath my corset where I can’t lose it.

“Free me and I will help you. I will make them pay,” he purrs, raising goosebumps on my skin. The mark of our bargain burns on my arm, as white as an old scar.

“Only a few drops of your blood onto an artifact and a simple phrase. It is easy.”

“Where is this artifact?”

“In King Darragh’s treasury.”

I almost laugh aloud. There’s nothing simple about sneaking into any nobleman’s private quarters, not to mention the treasury of a king, but I have a friend who used to be my accomplice in sneaking around. That friend now lives in the castle. I just hope he’s still willing to help me.

“Aine said you were looking for me?” Eadan asks, closing my bedroom door behind her as she enters my room. The faint furrow between her brows isn’t so much out of concern as it is scepticism.

“I need a favour,” I tell her, tying the laces of my knee high boots.

“And you thought I was the right one to ask?” She raises a brow. “What makes you think I’m that kind of faerie? Just because I wear a bra doesn’t mean I’m the wish granting kind.”

I fasten my cloak as I approach her. “I have a plan. One that may benefit all of us.”

“Should I ask if Odhran agrees with this plan?” Eadan is one of his closest friends. One who has sworn an oath of loyalty to him as her prince and general. If she knew he would hate my plan about as much as Declan hates me being here, she’d deny me for sure.

“I am the employed liar, remember. I’d rather not tell any of you for obvious reasons. My plan is my secret… for now.” If they’re questioned about anything I’m planning, would they be able to keep my secret? Would they want to? “Take me back to the Fomhar camp.” She stares at me, weighing her options in her mind. “Please,” I say with the slightest hint of sarcasm.

Her exhale is a dramatic sign. “Fine. But don’t make me regret it.” She reaches for me, and her touch grows as cold as ice, as cold as the day she took me to visit the tailor. My bedroom fades into a blinding light as brilliant as platinum reflecting daylight as she tessers us away. Everyone has a fingerprint, Odhran had mentioned, magical and physical. His feels like flying upon a raven’s wings, a whirlwind of danger and ecstasy. Eadan’s is bright, brilliant, yet harsh as dried ice.

“I don’t like this one bit,” Eadan says as we arrive, waiting for King Brogan’s summoner at the centre of his encampment. “You don’t know these fae.”

I made her bring me here without giving her any substantial information. If she’s to be questioned without the ability to lie, she won’t be able to give away my plan, which she knows. All she’ll know if that does happen is that I’m doing exactly what comes naturally to humans, lying. If my plan succeeds, both she and Odhran will be able to exact their revenge on the two cruel kings, I’ll have my sister, and we’ll all be free.

The summoner appears in a swirl of leaves and rushing wind, his eyes fixed on me. “Come.” He beckons me to step inside the haze of leaves and twigs. Eadan leads the way with a sceptical sideways glance that practically sears my cheek. “Only the pet,” he says plainly.

Eadan turns to face me with a look that says one thing… No. “There’s no way I’m letting you go without me.”

“She has been granted safe passage,” the summoner says, earning him a look from Eadan himself. “Both directions,” he adds, bored by her reluctance.

“I’ll be alright.”

“And if you’re not?” Her eyes search mine, the mortal she disliked mere days ago.

I reach for her hand, touching its side with a brush of my fingers. “I’ll be alright,” I repeat, not knowing if it’s the truth or a lie and ignoring the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“You better not be lying.” She slackens her shoulders and releases her breath.

When the world comes back into focus, I’m standing in King Brogan’s throne room below the dais. Beside me, the summoner inclines his head in a respectful bow. My heart beats heavily in my ears, but I struggle to keep my eyes from glaring at the king elevated on his golden throne before me.

“Indeed, you are brave beyond your kind. Few humans seek a word with a faerie king, even fewer do so after learning of our habits.” He turns a jewelled ring between his fingers, not sparing me a single look. “I’ve been told that you wish to enter into a bargain with me. I’m curious, what makes you think I’ll be interested?”