Rys’s grip on me tightens. “I allowed you to enter my home, Helix. Don’t make me regret my kindness.”
The captain snorts. “I’m not your enemy. We’re on the same side now.”
“Only because the bars no longer separate us.”
“Precisely.” His eyes flicker my way again. I keep waiting for his gaze to dip lower—this nightgown doesn’t hide a damn thing—but he doesn’t. It’s almost like he’s drawn to Rys’s touch on my arm instead. “You were a good soldier, Rys.”
“Only until Melisandre decided I wasn’t.”
With a small jerk of his head, Helix seems to concede that point. “The queen demanded loyalty. It could’ve been worse.”
“Right,” drawls Rys. “I could’ve been a headless statue.” He waits a beat. “So how’s Salem anyway? And Aven? Even in Siúcra, I heard about what happened to him.”
“They should’ve known better than to try to fill the empty spot in the queen’s bed. It’s common knowledge that she never treated her consorts any better than her loyal soldiers. What a relief to have Oberon back on the throne where he belongs.”
Oberon. The Summer King.
The fearsome Seelie ruler that Morgan warned me about.
I gulp.
Helix glances at me, a stern expression crossing his handsome face.
“Please,” he says, his tone so chilly, it’s enough to make me shiver. “Your fear is growing intolerable. Let me make this clear. If you’re afraid that I’m here to return you to Siúcra, don’t be. The prison has made its judgment and I respect that. No. That’s not why I’ve come.”
“Then why have you?”
Rys stole the words right out of my mouth.
“I told you. Melisandre demanded loyalty. But Oberon? He rewards it.”
“What does that have to do with us?”
“You’ve been summoned to his Court. He wants to meet you.”
“Me?” Rys sounds surprised. And that’s something since my scarred Seelie always acts like he knows everything. “What for?”
“That’s between you and the Summer King. I’m just here to escort you to his palace.”
“Is that what this is about?” Rys gestures breezily with his free hand. “Very well. I have things I’d like to tell Oberon anyway.”
Wait—he’s actually going?
You’ve got to be kidding me. I mean, I knew Rys was all about standing up against the fae still loyal to the dead queen, the ones behind the rebellion that’s targeting humans like me, but we only just arrived at his house. I thought I’d have a little time to breathe. And now he’s leaving so soon?
What about me? I’ve been jumping from one shitty situation to the next. Just once I want to revel in some kind of security without having to constantly be peeking over my shoulder. What am I going to do?
More importantly, where am I going to go?
I know he told me not to trust anyone, but I wanted to trust him. Even though I knew better. And now he’s leaving me behind as if he was looking for his escape.
Great. Just fucking great.
If the fae can scent fear, no doubt Rys can pick up on my sudden disappointment. Either that or he knows me better than I think because, before I can say anything, he uses his arm to move me until I’m standing in front of him. He lays his hands gently on my shoulders, dipping his chin so that he’s looking me dead in the eye.
“Elle. I need you to listen to me. Okay?”
What else can I do? I nod.