Page 80 of A Lie so Pretty and Poisonous

Heat built in my cheeks.

“Oh, don’t you dare be embarrassed!” She laughed.

I snickered. “Damn that enchant of yours. But now I have gone and messed everything up with him. He didn’t deserve my anger. He certainly didn’t deserve to see Gabriel and me all over each other. He has so many seraphs who vilify him. It can’t be easy, and now I went and did the same by insinuating that he wasn’t truly helping me.”

“You’re not perfect.” She shrugged. “Neither is Darragh. If you feel so intensely for him, and I believe he feels the same, I think it will get better after you both cool off. Sometimes, with intense emotions come intense reactions. Trust me. I see it a lot.”

“So, you don’t despise Darragh like everyone else seems to?”

“Who says everyone does?” She crinkled her nose.

“Gabriel.” We both said at the same time.

“Yes, most seraphs fear Darragh and don’t like him because he is both angheal and daemonite,” she agreed. “A silly reason to hate someone, if you ask me, but his guards respect him and several staff members like him, but secretly. They don’t want to face the wrath of Gabriel or King Torrish. I read Darragh from time to time, and he has never given me reason to pause his intentions or his emotions. He is a good man.”

I should have guessed her feelings since she and Lieutenant Osman have a secret relationship. I twirled a rose stem between my fingers. “How should I proceed with Gabriel? I need to know if the book in his office does contain the ingredients to Psilas’ mead that helped him cross over, and then try to recreate it so we can get back to Edenalee. I fear that if I tell him I want to leave, he will throw us out of the castle, and Cora and I will be at risk.”

Anya contemplated as Cora bounded back into the room, dressed in a long woolen skirt, a thick tunic, and a shawl draped over her. “It’s supposed to be chilly today, and Prince Percie said we were to be outside, so I thought this would keep me warm.”

“Don’t forget to take your cloak, too,” I reminded.

“Oh, good thinking.” She ran back to our bedroom.

Anya resumed our discussion. “The last thing I want you to do is anger Gabriel. His power and influence are only topped by the king. I need you and Cora to be safe. If I were you, I would continue to search for your answers while playing the part of the sweet human noble who occasionally bats her eyes at him to make him think you still harbor some complicated feelings toward him. Keep boundaries in place, and make sure to tell him you have to take things slow and at your own pace.”

“And Darragh?”

She shrugged. “The way I see it, or feel it rather, I don’t think he will be able to stay away from you for long.” Anya smiled and winked.

“It isn’t fair to him.” I shook my head. “I plan on leaving. Once we figure out how to get to Edenalee, I am taking Cora back. I foolishly let myself get distracted by something that can’t come into fruition anyway.” I rubbed my eyes, a headache forming behind them.

Anya pulled in a deep, long breath and let it out slowly. “You have to do what is best for you and Cora. Always. But that also might mean not fully turning away from this pull you have to him. Maybe it can be nothing. Maybe it can be something.” She paused. “Don’t you have a fate goddess?”

I hesitated. “We do…but she weaves multiple paths at once, and you always have a choice on which one to take. She never interferes or decides for you. Honestly, I think she has been weaving me some pretty rough paths lately. I don’t think she likes me.” I gave a humorless laugh.

She grabbed my hand as Cora bounded back into the room and over to the flowers, playing with the soft pink petals. Anya lowered her voice. “Then my advice is to lean into instinct, and whether that includes Darragh or not, you can make a choice on what path to take from there.” She met my eyes. “Believe me when I say, I understand risk when it comes to matters of the heart.”

I gave her a small nod and squeezed her hand. “That still doesn’t make it fair to…” I glanced at Cora to make sure she wasn’t eavesdropping, “…Darragh.”

“He is an intelligent adult. Maybe let him decide what he thinks is fair to him.”

“I suppose you are right. Thank you. I am sorry for putting you in any awkward position.”

She smiled. “You haven’t. Thank you for opening up to me.”

I sprang to my feet from the knock at the door, and I ran for the bathing chamber. Gabriel arrived to take Cora to her lessons, and I hid, somewhat cowardly, so I wouldn’t have to see him. Through the door, I could hear Anya speak with Gabriel.

“Where’s Lady Aurora?” he asked in a clipped tone.

Anya kept her voice respectful. “She is in the bathing chamber, Your Highness. Long and tiring night.”

“Yes, well. I was hoping to speak with her before going to the Temple today.”

“I could give her your message, Your Highness,” Anya offered.

“No,” he spat. “Just tell her I will see her later and that I am thinking about her.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” she said coolly.