SABINE
“Where have you been?” Alex exclaims, yanking Alaric inside. “It’s been months!”
“I came as soon as Elliot told me you were looking for me. I hadn’t even been home ten minutes before I left to find your sorry hide.” Alaric frowns at Alex’s wrist. “Your tether is visible again.”
Alex’s expression becomes hesitant. “Sabine told me.”
“Lord Treald hasn’t come looking for you?”
“Lord Treald is dead,” Alex says. “He passed the illanté agreement to his son.”
Alaric steps inside. “Let’s hurry and take care of this. Perhaps we can block the tether before he finds you.”
“He’s already found me,” Alex says. “And you can’t remove the ring—not yet.”
The prince’s eyebrows fly up, and he turns to me. “Isn’t that up to Her Highness?”
“Alex is right,” I say.
And for the second time today, we explain the events of the last few weeks. Alaric listens with a thoughtful frown, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He looks at ease, but I sense that’s for show.
“So we must wait until Frederick swaps the contracts,” Alaric says, nodding. “I don’t see why that’s a problem. I don’t have any immediate plans to leave.”
Alex shakes his head. “Once Lord Cavinder learns you’ve returned, he’ll wonder why you haven’t lifted Sabine’s curse. I’m not sure how much time we’ll have before he becomes suspicious.”
“And how does he know I’m Fae?” Alaric asks, pinning Alex with a look that’s nothing short of terrifying.
Alex holds up a hand, defending himself from blame. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t even tell Frederick.”
“He watches,” I say quietly. “And he had Elgin following me after I arrived. It’s possible he had someone on Alex when he returned from Faerie.”
“It’s too late for this,” Alex groans, turning away. “I need a drink.”
“You’re not allowed to drink,” I remind him.
“I’m going to make tea, Your Highness,” he says, smiling. “For your throat.”
As soon as he’s gone, I turn to Alaric, my curiosity getting the best of me.
“Is there something you want to say, princess?” Alaric asks, his eyes bright.
“I have many questions, actually.”
He nods toward the entrance to the parlor. “The night is young.”
“It doesn’t feel young.” I rub my stiff neck. “It’s growing quite old.”
Alaric laughs. “I suppose it is.”
I clasp my hands in my lap, trying to decide what I’ll ask first. Finally, I say, “So your father is human, and your mother is Fae?”
“You already know the answer to that one.”
“Do you ever see your maternal family?”
He nods. “Often, actually. That’s where I was these last few months.”
“Do you meet somewhere in Valsta?”