by Abbie Lyons
That was the one true thing I knew about myself. Still. Even if everyone thought I’d murdered April, I didn’t. I’d kill anyone who’d try to kill her. And if Delilah was my friend, too, well, I guess I’d do the same.
Emerald Jones: loyal to the end.
Gage ran a hand through his hair, mussing the military-perfect style of it, and it made him look strangely...normal again. Like an ordinary Fae, not someone with the power to decide my fate. “You shouldn’t be making friends with Fae like Delilah, Emerald. You’re better than she is.”
“Delilah’s...” Nice didn’t seem like the right word, but she wasn’t pure evil either. “...not that bad,” I finished. “Besides, I don’t like anyone roughing anyone else up.”
“So you start fights?” Gage said, color rising in his cheeks.
“I guess I do what I have to,” I fired back.
He took me by the shoulders, his hands strong as they held me in place.
“Emerald, I hate that you’re here.” He was speaking fast, as though we were running out of time somehow. “I hate seeing you like this. I hate...all of it.”
“Then why are you a guardsman?” I blurted out. “If all this bothers you, why not try to help me get out instead of help me stay in place?”
“I’m not punishing you now, am I?’ he said. “I’ve never, ever been tempted to break my Azelorian vows until now. Until you showed up. And now...”
His throat bobbed, and I realized we were inches away from each other. His crisp smell wafted over me, and I relished his touch, the touch of anyone familiar, the touch of anyone at all.
“I want to keep you safe,” he said huskily. “Not because it’s my duty. But because...”
Slowly, almost tentatively, he pulled me closer to him. I didn’t resist, even though my mind was screaming at him that he was making a mistake. Yet this was Gage, my Gage, the Gage I’d always known. The way he’d looked at me the other day—the way he maybe always looked at me—was overpowering.
His lips touched mine.
It was electric, immediately, and I wanted more. He drew me closer, as best he could, deepening the kiss clumsily as my hands were still bound between us. I melted into him. Because for that moment, I wasn’t trapped. I wasn’t stuck or doomed or tainted by some crime.
I was Emerald, kissing Gage.
Crack.
The sound was air-rendingly loud, ripping us apart before I’d fully realized what happened. The singed, sulfurous smell of something burning drifted towards us. Mind still hazy, it took me a few agonizingly slow moments to take in the figure by the portal.
“Let her go!”
It was Tarian.
I gaped. “What?”
Gage wasn’t as stunned. He leaped into a fighting posture, extending an honest-to-goddess sword from who knows where, its blade sparkling in the light of the portal.
“How did you get here, inmate?” Gage roared.
“Practicing my magic,” Tarian said. “Really, you and your compatriots should do a better job of settling the mob down when there’s a cafeteria fight. It’s almost too easy to slip out with a little down-low spellcraft.” He darted a glance at me, looking me over, concern flashing. “But...you’re not in danger, Emerald?”
Hearing Tarian say my name instead of my stupid nickname stunned me.
“No,” He went on. “I...was mistaken. You’re...far from being abused. Quite the opposite.”
“How dare you!” Gage growled. He sprang forward, grabbing Tarian in a chokehold. The blade pressed into his throat.
“No!” I cried. “Don’t!”
Both pairs of eyes flashed to me.
“Let him go, Gage,” I said. “Please.”
“Why should I?” Gage said. “He’s in a gross breach of the rules. Walking around freely is an incredible infraction. And he...he...” Gage’s voice was coming out in pants of air.
He’s seen too much. Gage didn’t have to say it out loud.
Tarian caught my eyes next. I knew what he was thinking, almost without wanting to. He thought I’d been enacting his little seduction plan. But I wasn’t. It had just...happened. Hadn’t it? Or was Tarian’s idea so implanted in my head that I’d gone forward with it subconsciously?
“Go ahead,” Tarian said simply. “Kill me. Your friends will be only too glad. You’ll be hailed as a hero of the Azelorian. And you’ll be acting completely justified. I’m breaking the rules, as you said. I wandered off on my own to stop you from laying hands on Petal Pink here, and that is certainly not something I’m authorized to do. So kill me.”
Gage’s jaw tensed, the blade of the sword in his hand taut against Tarian’s throat. I could tell he wanted to, on some level. But that wasn’t the Gage I knew. Maybe as an Azelorian, he had a charge to do that duty, but as a Fae I’d known my whole life, a Fae I’d just kissed...
“You can’t, Gage,” I said. “Don’t hurt him.”
“Why shouldn’t I?” Gage said, his voice almost pleading. “Why shouldn’t I?”
“Because...” I couldn’t think of a reason that would appeal to him on any rules or regulations level. All I had was the truth that I knew. “Because I know that’s not who you are.”
The words must have hit him, because his hold on Tarian slackened. The sword dropped away, retracted back into his utility belt, and even as Tarian was rubbing his throat, grinning wickedly, Gage sent a bolt of orange energy to bind Tarian to the spot.
“I won’t,” Gage said.
“You did good, Emerald,” Tarian murmured behind him. “Surprised me. I didn’t think you had it in you, actually.”
Confusion rippled across Gage’s face. He looked from the bound Fae prince to me. “What’s he talking about?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly. “He’s...”
“What?” Gage’s voice wasn’t angry so much as wounded. I shook my head furiously, wishing I could loosen my hands and rush to his side. “Were you just trying to...use me for something?”
“No! No, that’s total crap, Gage,” I said. “I would never do that to you.” I glared at Tarian. “I never, ever would.”
Gage shook his head. “Emerald...”
“Gage,” I said again. “I would. Not. Do. That.”
He took in a shaky, deep breath, pressing a hand to his temple. “What have I done?” he said. “I’m such a fool.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “Listen, Gage...” I had to make this better. Gage couldn’t get in trouble, Tarian couldn’t turn Gage on to our plan to escape, and I’d deal with any consequences of starting a fight later on.
“If anyone asks,” Tarian said, “I’ll say I saw you punishing her, just as you were instructed to. And I’m sure Emerald would say the same. Your little indiscretion will be safe with me.”
His tone of voice indicated it would be anything but.
And that’s when it hit me.
“You never wanted me to seduce him into doing something for you,” I cried at Tarian. “You just wanted to...catch us in the act. So that you’d have something to blackmail Gage over. You were going to manipulate him that way.” Fury bubbled in me. “And you manipulated me, too.”
Tarian blinked, his mouth open, as though he’d never realized the full extent of what his plan was. “That wasn’t...” He did his best to regain his composure.
“How could you?”
Tarian’s gaze darkened. “Emerald. I...well, maybe blackmail was on my mind. But I didn’t think. I didn’t think what this would do to you. I...” He looked into my face, desperation coloring his features. “It’s been so long since I’ve had to think of anyone besides myself.”
I wanted to believe him. But at the same time, Tarian’s being sorry wasn’t going to undo this entire knotty snafu of a situation. Right now, I just had to make sure that Gage didn’t land in any hot water.
What do I do? What do I do?
“He’s right, Gage,” I said. “I can tell anyone who asks that you punished me. I know you would have. I did misbehave, a
fter all. Just...just tell me what kinds of things I was supposed to get as punishment and I’ll repeat them whenever I have to. And I won’t let you get pushed into anything by blackmail.” I shot a look at Tarian.
“Okay...” Gage looked hesitant.
“I know it’s not ideal, but what choice do we have?”
Gage opened his mouth but was cut off.
“Guardsman!”
Another crackle, more smoke. My heart plunged to the pit of my stomach.
Cobalt materialized from the portal.
“I’m here for assistance,” he shouted. “You drew your weapon, guardsman. I got the beacon.”
He darted glances from Tarian to me to Gage, calculating in his head.
“What’s going on?” he said, which sounded plenty threatening even in his less-than-impressive tenor voice. “Didn’t you draw your sword? The beacon—”
“It was a misunderstanding,” Gage said. Understatement of the year, I thought. “I was here to punish my inmate for her insurrection in the cafeteria—”
“Which you don’t appear to have done,” Cobalt said, eyeing me. “Are you flouting orders?”
“I...”
“I have to report that,” Cobalt said. “You know I do.” He strode to Gage and clapped him on the shoulder. “I don’t have a choice.”
Gage stared at the ground.
“If you can’t punish her, I will.”
Gage didn’t move. I knew he’d never lay a finger on me.
“Remand the male inmate to his cell,” Cobalt commanded. Then he turned his sharp, foxlike gaze on me. “I’ll handle her.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
I NEED TO FIND THAT gift.
The thought strikes me gently at first, as I’m weaving through the dance floor, half dancing with whoever’s there, half making my way back to the house for another drink. I’m not fully drunk, just wavering between sobriety and tipsiness, but as the night has worn on, my curiosity is emerging. I can’t help it. My vodka-tonic-soaked thoughts are getting nosier and nosier.
What right does Gia have to show up here?
She made April upset.
I hate when people make April mad.
We’re not here for more Fae bullshit.
It’s my birthday.
That’s when it strikes me. I can make April happy by telling Gia off, and what better way than to find whatever stupid peace offering Gia thought she could bring me and dispose of it dramatically? I can set it on fire with a clap of my hands, smash it against a wall, throw it in the hot tub...whatever was most dramatic. Whatever, whatever, my brain singsongs.
It feels mischievous and fun.
I clop on my heels through the crowd, feeling stickiness on my skin from the humid night that had settled around us. Through the glass doors of the patio and into our living room, where countless people are sprawling on our couches, laughing, some making out, some looking for a place to make out. I practically sashay to the front entrance, to the mail table, where I have to assume Gia left her whatever it is.
On the mezzanine, I can see a distinctly April-like figure. Next to one with purple hair.
Ha. Perfect.
Soon I’ll be eighteen and my life will be even better, fresher than before. April and I can take on the world together, for real, in the human realm as much as Fae. We can see the world, maybe travel by airplane just for kicks. Get suntans on beaches in Thailand. Drink human wine (made of grapes, what a concept!) in Paris. Ski in the alps and use our wings to whoosh us out of any snowbanks we find ourselves stuck in. Break hearts, wear every shade of lipstick, dress up, never ever stop trying new things.
That’s what I want, and that’s what I’ll get.
Sure enough, when I get to the mail table, I see it: a small, carved, ivory box. It’s got a distinctive Fae look to it; there’s no way a human would ever bring something this dorkily decorated to a party in LA. It looks like a weird grandma antique. I grab it, and it’s surprisingly chilly under my fingers. I toss it idly from hand to hand as I stroll back to the living room. I think a good wall-smash is the best way to dispose of it. Whatever it’s made of, it seems like it’ll crack open pretty nicely.
Back in the living room now. Still plenty of people around. Is April up there?
I toss the box hand to hand again. Maybe before I break it I’ll just peek inside. What tacky trinket did Gia bring me? A friendship bracelet for the three of us?
“Em!”
April waves at me from the mezzanine. She’s smiling, really big. So is Gia. Huh. I feel my brow crinkle and smooth it back out. I am the hostess, after all, and the guest of honor shouldn’t be a bitch.
I take the stairs two at a time and April pulls me by the wrist to Gia’s side.
“Did you know Gia was going to be here?” she asks me. “Seriously, spill.”
“I really didn’t,” I say, trying to suss out what she was feeling. April is no stranger to mood swings, but they can still be inscrutable sometimes. She’s beaming, though, and I can tell she’s actually delighted now.
Suddenly, I feel super awkward. She’d seemed pissed when I told her Gia was here, but she clearly isn’t anymore. Maybe they buried the hatchet.
“It was a surprise,” Gia says, putting a hand in the air. “I 100% swear. I just realized that basically you two had the right idea in ditching the ICs.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes at the abbreviation as Gia chatters on. “You have no idea what kind of dumb shit is going on there these days. Lots of like...political drama.” She shrugs. “It’s exhausting and no one can do anything normal anymore.” She looks at me. “Hey, Emerald, I feel like I was kind of...I dunno. Weird earlier. Like I startled you or something. I’m sorry.”
Her voice is totally free of malice. And even though I don’t know Gia that well, I do know April, and she gives me a tiny nod.
“Dude, Em is not the grudge-holding type,” April says. “I don’t think she’s ever had anything against you.”
“I mean...” I guess I really haven’t.
“Look, Em, I know you know Gia and I are like...” April looks at Gia, and they burst out laughing in sync.
“You can say it,” Gia says. “Frenemies to the end.”
April shrugs. “I mean, your words, not mine. But Em, honestly, it’s fine. I’m just being my usual drama betch self and having Gia here is honestly the best.” She wiggles her brows at Gia. “You haven’t seen the half of this party yet.”
“Oh?” Gia looks intrigued.
“Apparently,” I cut in, “April’s got something crazy up her sleeve for when I actually officially turn eighteen.”
“Ooh.” Now Gia looks genuinely excited. And that makes all of us giggle, for some reason.
It’s kind of nice. It’s really nice, actually.
Then Gia’s gaze falls to the box in my hands. She looks a little sheepish. “Oh, yeah. Sorry if this wasn’t a gift-giving party. I didn’t mean to, like, offend you.”
I shake my head, more than ready for all this awkwardness to dissipate and get back to the party. “No worries.”
“Presents!” April cries gleefully. “Open it, open it!”
I do, of course. It’s a necklace—a sweet little charm in a twisted pendant of silver.
“It’s an emerald,” Gia says. “Because...duh, I guess.”
“Oh my goddess,” April says. “That’s so cute.”
It is cute.
“Here,” I say. “Help me put it on?”
April unhooks the necklace and I brush the short strands of my hair off of my neck. When she clips it in place, I spin around.
“How do I look?” I do a silly little pose, grinning. The metal of the necklace is cool against my skin, but not unpleasantly so.
Gia and April exchange a look.
“Perfect,” they say in unison.
WHEN I CAME TO, MY whole body ached.
Dimly, I saw a figure moving in a dark room. Then a bolt of energy lit up his face.
Cobalt leered at me.
/>
“You’ll never learn,” he said in his usual wheezy tone. “I can tell with you. You’re trash like the rest of them. You have no value. Gage should never treat you kindly.”
I closed my eyes, the scene swimming around me. I was standing, but my knees felt horribly weak, ready to pitch forward at any moment.
April.
“Shut up,” Cobalt snapped. I must have said her name out loud. I blinked my eyes open again, and realized that my limbs were heavy because they were chained down, manacles dragging me down by the wrists and ankles.
“I told you not to speak, and yet you kept mumbling.” Cobalt’s voice rang out against stone walls. We were in some sort of dungeon, I realized, with no external sources of light. Goddess only knew how long he’d kept me in here. My vision felt like it had taken a lifetime and no time at all. Every breath I sucked in felt like a lungful of putrid gas.
“Do you know what it feels like to kill someone, inmate?” His boots cracked as he paced in front of me. If this was a torture chamber, it was a pretty low-tech one, with nothing in here besides the two of us and my chains. And that sent a bolt of fear to my stomach. “Wait, that’s a silly question. Of course you do.”
“I don’t,” I managed to spit out, surprising even me. Here I was, being basically tortured in prison, and I was still able to maintain my innocence.
“A murderer and a liar,” Cobalt said. “You disgust me. Or are you just that forgetful? You need a refresher on what you did, what it felt like? You repressed it, I’m sure.” He laughed, a laugh that was less menacing and more eerie, like a giggle.
I stayed silent. I didn’t want to egg him on to whatever he was going to do. Whatever else, since clearly we’d been here for a while.
“When you kill,” Cobalt went on. “It’s a rush unlike any other. More powerful than any magic. You feel it ripple through you. It’s intoxicating and yet it sharpens your senses.” He laughed again, a pitiful squeal. “But I won’t have to kill you, will I?”
What? My mind screamed.
“No, no, I won’t,” he went on, as though he was having a conversation with himself. “There are, perhaps, others who deserve to die first. Larger infractions. Your royal friend, I’d say. But I still think you need to learn a lesson. And it’s not one that Gage will ever be able to teach.”
