These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows 1)

* * *

“You’re getting better,” Finn says.

I gape at him. “Was that a compliment?”

We’re upstairs while Pretha takes lunch with her brother and the queen of the Wild Fae. Although I didn’t expect to be welcomed to that meal, I assumed that Finn at least would be there for moral support for his sister-in-law. But no. The king and queen requested privacy.

“Just focus,” Finn says.

Tynan folds his arms and lifts his chin in an I-dare-you pose.

The goal is to wrap him in shadow—not like I would to bring someone through a wall with me, but to trap him in my shadows. A defensive maneuver Jalek swears is my only hope in combat, since I’m pathetic with a sword.

Unspooling my magic, I zero in on Tynan and wrap him in shadow—only to have it fall away when he shrugs.

“Should work fine,” Tynan says, his eyes dancing. “As long as your enemies stay perfectly still.”

I flash him a vulgar gesture but laugh. I might still suck at this, but I’m making progress.

“Finn.” Kane stands in the bedroom doorway. “We have a problem. Prince Ronan’s at the door.”

That one name, and my good mood is gone. My stomach clenches hard. This is what I was afraid of. He’s going to find out I’m betraying him. How did he find me here?

Finn seems to have the same question. “Did you tell him where you’re spending your days?”

I shake my head. “No. He just knows I’m with my tutor.”

“We planned for this,” Finn tells Kane. “That’s why we’re here, right? So send Eurelody to talk to him. Amira and Misha will forgive the interruption.”

“We would, but . . .” Kane clears his throat. “He has the real Eurelody with him. He tracked her down, and she admitted that she left the queen’s service years ago.”

Finn mutters a curse.

Tynan grimaces. “We need to get him out of here before he realizes that Misha and Amira are on the premises.”

“I can go talk to him,” I offer, though I have no idea what I’ll say. I just want to get rid of this sick feeling in my stomach. What will happen to Jas if Sebastian sends me home?

Finn’s brows disappear into his curls. “You want him to know without a doubt that you’re here? That you’re working with us?”

I flinch.

“That’s what I thought. Stay put.” He follows Tynan out of the room and shuts the door behind him.

I listen to the muffled sounds of the males downstairs.

I hear Finn’s low voice and Sebastian’s, but I can’t make out their words.

There’s another low rumble, and then suddenly silence. I can’t stand it anymore.

The bedroom door squeaks as I open it, and I flinch and quietly pad toward the top of the stairs.

“Let me in—” Sebastian’s growl practically shakes the house. He stands toe to toe with Finn, who has Tynan at his side. The two princes are a formidable sight, broad-shouldered and menacing, glowering at each other. “I know you have her here.”

“Maybe your magic is failing you, Prince. I’m sure you’ll fix that soon enough, what with all those ripe opportunities waiting at your palace.” I can’t see Finn’s face, but I can hear the sneer in his voice.

“Shut up,” Sebastian snarls. “Don’t act like you’re any better than I am.”

“Leave, boy. Go back to the castle and your doting mother. Go back to your herd of human women desperate to hand their lives over to you.” Finn takes two steps back, retreating into the house, but Tynan stays put, his chest puffed out like he’s ready to strike.

“Finnian, you’re a bigger ass than I remember.”

Finn gives a mocking half bow, and Sebastian turns on his heel and stomps away. Tynan slams the door shut behind him and turns to Finn with a tight jaw. “I thought we could trust her.”

“We can,” Finn says.

“Then how do you explain that?”

Finn shakes his head. “Don’t assume anything. I’ll take care of it.”

I realize that Finn’s headed to the stairs, and I rush back to the bedroom, pulling the door shut behind me. At the window, I search the street for Sebastian, but he’s not there. He must have come here with his goblin and had him take him back to the castle.

The bedroom door creaks as it opens. “Trying to catch a glimpse of your true love?” Finn asks.

I don’t turn around. “Do you knock?”

“Not in my own house.”

“Then maybe I should just—” I don’t get the chance to finish my empty threat before he spins me around and pulls my amulet from where I keep it tucked beneath my dress.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Finn spends more time irritated and moody than happy, but I’ve never seen him like this. Anger blazes in his eyes and turns the silver nearly white around his pupils.

“It’s none of your business.”