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She’s never been fine where my brother is concerned, but I let the matter drop. If my brother is up to something, something he apparently intends to unveil at the winter ball we’re all required to attend, then I need to know about it.
Whatever feelings Kaia might have when it comes to knowing about my brother’s personal life are hers to deal with. They are her spies, after all. I wonder briefly if she is purposely torturing herself with the information. Some sort of penance for what she perceives as a betrayal, no matter how hard I’ve tried to convince her otherwise.
“Do—”
“Iluna is here.”
I blink at the sudden change in topic, turning in my chair to stare at Kaia’s back. “What? How do you know that?”
“I can see lights on in her rooms.” She points across the courtyard at the glowing windows that are normally dark. “I didn’t know she was visiting.”
“Neither did I.” A shadow moves across the window. “She doesn’t usually come until after the winter ball.”
Kaia looks up at me. “Think she’ll come to dinner?”
Rising from my chair, I stride toward the door. “Only one way to find out.”
Kaia quickens her steps to keep up with my pace down the hall. “What do you plan on telling her about Elora?”
I stop short at the top of the stairs. Elora. Aside from Kaia, my dark court spends so little time in my realm I haven’t had to worry about Elora meeting anyone else or answering their questions about her.
I’m not accustomed to explaining myself to people, and I rarely bother, but I don’t want this information getting back to my brother before I understand it myself. Not that I expect any members of my court to go running to Fontoss with gossip.
Except maybe Aeris, who lives for stirring up trouble.
“I’ll think of something.”
The low hum of voices from the dining room reaches my ears before I step into the doorway. Railan and Hayle are seated on one side of the table, heads bent together in conversation with my ferryman, Basal. Nevon sits across from them, occasionally adding his thoughts while he sips his wine.
Elora is nowhere in sight, and without thinking, I reach out across the palace and grounds to search for her, the tightness in my chest loosening when I find her in her rooms. She hasn’t missed dinner since I brought her horse here. I don’t want her to miss it tonight, even if her presence might complicate things where Iluna is concerned.
I consider going to fetch her, make sure she comes, but the Goddess of Night steps into the doorway. She’s dressed in her preferred black fitted gown, silver jewels gleaming at her wrist and throat like stars.
Stopping in front of me, she drops into a curtsy, but her eyes are smiling when she stands again.
“My lord.”
“You’re earlier than usual. Any particular reason?”
“I tire of mortals more and more often these days. You understand that better than anyone.”
I see Railan raise a brow over Iluna’s shoulder. This should be fun. Taking my seat at the head of the table, I send Nevon a questioning look and glance at the empty chair next to him. Seeming to understand my meaning, he lifts a shoulder and takes another sip of wine.
The servants are just filling glasses when a figure steps into the doorway. I hardly recognize her at first. She’s abandoned her leather breeches and tunic for a gown of deep violet. Even at this distance, I can see how it's sharpened the green of her eyes.
She fidgets with the fabric of her skirt with nervous fingers, eyes darting around the table and snagging on Iluna’s unfamiliar face before landing on me. She holds my gaze for a long moment, breathing deeply. Then something snaps her out of her trance, and she takes what has become her usual seat next to Nevon.
Beside Kaia, Iluna wrinkles her nose as Elora sits, smiling up at the servant who pours her a glass of wine.
“You’ve a mortal living in the Shadow Realm?”
Elora flinches at the disgust in Iluna’s question, and anger rises unbidden.
“Yes,” I reply, challenge in my tone.
Iluna opens her mouth to speak but thinks better of it and closes it again. I’ll explain Elora when I’m ready and not before, but I won’t tolerate a member of my court insulting her.
I signal the staff to begin serving, and normal chatter resumes as platters of lamb and vegetables are brought out. I nod to Iluna as she strikes up a conversation, making appropriate noises when my input is required, but my attention is on Elora.
