I acknowledge the compliment with a smile. “Why give me this choice? It’s been two weeks since you first told me that you want me to help Sebastian and Finn work together, and I haven’t agreed to anything. Why are you being so kind to me? Why would you deceive your sister and your allies for my benefit?”
He lifts his chin. “Ah. That.” With a sigh, he leans back, somehow still looking regal as he settles into the chair’s fluffy cushions. He’s quiet for a long time, and I think he might not answer at all when he finally says, “I need your alliance as much as I need Finn’s. I don’t know what the queen is planning, but any course of action that gives her more power is one that hurts my kingdom. I need people on my side who will fight against her, and whether you’re ready for that fight now or months from now, I know you’re going to be part of it.”
I cock my head to the side and study him. “And how do you know that? You barely know me.”
“Like you said, we all have our motives.” He gives me a gentle smile. “And don’t forget I had access to your thoughts those early days of your visit.”
“And sometimes now,” I say. We both know I’m still learning and not that skilled at shielding yet.
“And sometimes now,” he admits, shrugging. “It’s not the same as knowing someone’s heart, but it’s the next best thing.” With that, he pushes himself out of the chair. “You don’t have to decide now.
You can tell me in the morning.”
I stare at the words of my book as his steps grow distant, but they all blur together. “I’ve already decided,” I say, then turn to see if he heard me.
He stops in the library’s arched doorway and slowly turns back to me. “Don’t leave me in suspense, Princess.”
“I want to be part of the meetings.”
“Even if it means trusting people who have deceived you in the past?” He tucks his hands into his pockets. “I wasn’t sure you could forgive Finn.”
“Finn used me, but he’s not the one who broke my heart.”
Misha arches a single brow, and I brace myself for an argument, but instead he says, “Join me for dinner so we can plan for this meeting? I have some ideas.”
I nod and watch him leave. I’m anxious to get to Jas’s letter.
As soon as I start reading, I can hear her voice in my head as if she’s talking to me. It’s a comfort and an ache deeper than any homesickness I’ve ever felt.
Chapter Ten
Everyone’s gathered in Misha’s personal meeting room. Their voices are low murmurs from the hall, so I can’t tell if I’m choosing a good time or a terrible one to interrupt—Misha would likely argue that they are one in the same. Finn may be his ally, but he’s set on showing Finn that I am Misha’s ally.
Lifting my chin and straightening my shoulders, I swing the door open and stroll inside. Finn’s wolves lounge in the far corners and perk up at my entrance before laying their heads back down.
There are eight seats around the massive polished oval table, which has room for many more.
Misha and Amira sit at opposite ends, and Pretha and Finn sit with their backs to me, Tynan, Kane, and Jalek opposite them. The lone available chair is to Finn’s right, and I can’t help but wonder if Misha planned it that way. He already asked me to join the meeting late for the purpose of throwing Finn off guard, but is he seating me next to the shadow prince an effort to rock Finn or me?
Jalek spots me first, and his green eyes go wide. Then Kane, who pushes his chair back with a squeak and rises to his feet. The room goes silent, and seven heads turn in my direction.
Pretha’s jaw drops, gasping as if the sight of me is some monumental relief. “Brie.”
But it’s Finn’s reaction I can’t move on from—not that he’s giving anything away. His face is stoic, his sharp eyes assessing as he looks me over, taking in my boots, my pants, the belt of knives slung around my hips. My power purrs in his presence, and I don’t bother reining it in. Tendrils of shadow slip from my fingertips and coil around my wrists before snaking up my arms. Finn follows their path, impassive.
“Ah,” Misha says, not even trying to hide the delight in his tone. “My guest has joined us.”
“You said the princess was no longer in residence,” Finn says coolly, still not standing to greet me, but not taking his eyes off me. His silver gaze has drifted from my shadows and settled on my face. I wonder what he’s thinking, wonder if he’s angry that I’ve pushed him away when he visited my dreams.