Page 97 of A Touch of Poison
He made a soft, dismissive sound. “Tell me Bastian, why pay such close attention to little old me? Sounds a bit obsessive. Is it because I never went up to that hayloft with you like most of our classmates?”
“You should get your memory checked, Sepher. You were never invited. We both know if you had been, you would’ve gone, even if just out of curiosity.”
He eyed my shadows sidelong. “Perhaps. Freaks together. Unfortunately for you, I’ve come to deliver the news that I’m no longer available, however obsessed you might be. That human has agreed to marry me.”
For a fraction of a second, I held very still.What?Then I laughed as if amused by the idea and not shocked. Maybe obsession was on Sepher’s mind, and he was merely projecting on me: my spy had intimated that he seemed fascinated with the human woman, enjoying her punishment.
“Don’t tell me, you gave her an option between marking her as yours with the collar or with a wedding ring. Not sure that’s much of a choice.”
His nostrils flared and he leant closer, crowding my space. “She chose me freely.” A growl laced his words.
But I’d had years of dealing with an angry shapechanger several inches taller than me. I didn’t back away and instead smiled wider. “Then let me be the first to extend Dusk’s congratulations. I look forward to helping the rest of the Convocation with the royal wedding preparations.” And I did, even if it was just to see his shoulders sink as he realised that, as the Night Queen’s representative during daylight hours, I would indeed be involved.
“You’re too kind.” With a low sound, he nodded and swept towards the door to Dawn’s side of the palace.
Prince Sepher marrying a human. I stared after him for a beat.
Shock aside, Braea wasn’t going to like this. Dawn would be a step closer to another heir in their line of succession—Cyrus, then Sepher, then any child from Sepher’s marriage.
While she had nothing.
37
Kat
The days after having my memories erased were easier.
It was magic. Literally. I could remember stopping and helping the fae, returning to his house, the details of our bargain. But I had no idea what he had stripped from my mind. There was a blank space between my arrival at the Hall of Healing and leaving again, shaken and haunted.
I just had this uneasy feeling in my gut, like an important task I’d forgotten about.
What could be so bad that I had feared looking at my own hands?
Thank the gods I didn’t need to worry about the answer to that question anymore. I could meet my friends for dinner tonight and be normal and happy. After almost a week without nightmares, I felt… well, fucking amazing.
But when a message came from Elthea summoning me to another appointment, a terrible dread stole over me.
* * *
After,I somehow managed to stop at a shop on the way to that cosy house on the corner, but gods knew what I bought. The produce spun around and around, making my stomach heave. I had to run outside and throw up before setting off again.
Where I’d grown comfortable in Dusk’s side of the palace, I only squared my shoulders when I ventured into areas where Dawn would be. But masking up was impossible with this horror weighing on me. I was barely aware of anything other than the familiar door I kept my gaze fixed on as I hurried down the street.
I knocked and a moment later came the response: “Go away.”
“It’s me.”
“I don’t know anyone called me.Go away.”
“How bare are your cupboards?”
No answer.
“I have food.”
The door inched open and his scowling face appeared. “What do you want?”
I glanced up and down the road. “I’m not telling you where anyone might hear. But I have payment.” I hefted the basket.
