For not warning us. For this … surprise.
I wondered if I schooled my features with any more success than my friend as Eris claimed the vacant seat at the table, not bothering to so much as nod to a wary-eyed Keir. “It has indeed been a while.”
He’d healed since that day on the ice—not a sign of the gut-wound Cassian had given him. His red hair was unbound, a silken drape over his well-tailored cobalt jacket.
What is he doing here, I speared down the bond, not bothering to hide any of what coursed through me.
Making sure Keir agrees to help, was all Rhys said, the words tight and clipped. Restrained.
As if he were still holding the full might of his rage in check.
Shadows curled around Azriel’s shoulders, whispering in his ear as he stared down Eris.
“You once wanted to build ties to Autumn, Keir,” said Rhys, setting down his goblet of wine. “Well, here’s your chance. Eris is willing to offer you a formal alliance—in exchange for your services in this war.”
How the hell did you get him to agree to that?
Rhys didn’t answer.
Rhysand.
Keir leaned back in his chair. “It is not enough.”
Eris snorted, pouring himself a goblet of wine from the decanter in the center of the table. “I’d forgotten why I was so relieved when our bargain fell apart the last time.”
Rhys shot him a warning look. Eris just drank deeply.
“What is it that you want, then, Keir?” Rhys purred.
I had the feeling if Keir suggested me again, he’d wind up splattered on the wall.
But Keir must have known, too. And said simply to Rhysand, “I want out. I want space. I want my people to be free of this mountain.”
“You have every comfort,” I finally said. “And yet it is not enough?”
Keir ignored me as well. As I’m sure he ignored most women in his life.
“You have been keeping secrets, High Lord,” Keir said with a hateful smile, interlacing his hands and resting them on the mauled table. Right atop the nearest deep gouge. “I always wondered—where all of you went when you weren’t here. Hybern answered the question at last—thanks to that attack on … what is its name? Velaris. Yes. On Velaris. The City of Starlight.”
Mor went utterly still.
“I want access to the city,” Keir said. “For me, and my court.”
“No,” Mor said. The word echoed off the pillars, the glass, the rock.
I was inclined to agree. The thought of these people, of Keir, in Velaris … Tainting it with their presence, their hatred and small-mindedness, their disdain and cruelty …
Rhys did not refuse. Did not shoot down the suggestion.
You can’t be serious.
Rhys only watched Keir as he answered down the bond, I anticipated this—and I took precautions.
I contemplated it. The meeting with the Palace governors … That was tied to this?
Yes.
Rhysand said to Keir, “There would be conditions.”
Mor opened her mouth, but Azriel laid a scarred hand atop hers.
She snatched her hand back as if she’d been burned—burned as he had been.
Azriel’s mask of cold didn’t so much as waver at the rejection. Though Eris chuckled softly. Enough to make Azriel’s hazel eyes glaze with rage as he settled them upon the High Lord’s son. Eris only inclined his head to the shadowsinger.
“I want unrestricted access,” Keir said to Rhys.
“You will not get it,” Rhys said. “There will be limited stays, limited numbers allowed in. To be decided later.”
Mor turned pleading eyes to Rhys. Her city—the place that she loved so much—
I could almost hear it. The crack I knew was about to sound amongst our own circle.
Keir looked to Mor at last—noted the despair and anger. And smiled.
He had no real desire to get out of here.
Only a desire to take something he’d undoubtedly gleaned that his daughter cherished.
I could have gladly shredded through his throat as Keir said, “Done.”
Rhys didn’t so much as smile. Mor was only staring and staring at him, that beseeching expression crumpling her face.
“There is one more thing,” I added, squaring my shoulders. “One more request.”
Keir deigned to acknowledge me. “Oh?”
“I have need of the Ouroboros mirror,” I said, willing ice into my veins. “Immediately.”
Interest and surprise flared in Keir’s brown eyes. Mor’s eyes.
“Who told you that I have it?” he asked quietly.
“Does it matter? I want it.”
“Do you even know what the Ouroboros is?”
“Consider your tone, Keir,” Rhys warned.
Keir leaned forward, bracing his forearms on the table. “The mirror …” He laughed under his breath. “Consider it my mating present.” He added with sweet venom, “If you can take it.”
Not a threat to face him, but— “What do you mean?”
Keir rose to his feet, smirking like a cat with a canary in its mouth. “To take the Ouroboros, to claim it, you must first look into it.” He headed for the doors, not waiting to be dismissed. “And everyone who has attempted to do so has either gone mad or been broken beyond repair. Even a High Lord or two, if legend is true.” A shrug. “So it is yours, if you dare to face it.” Keir paused at the threshold as the doors opened on a phantom wind. He said to Rhys, perhaps the closest he’d come to asking for permission to leave, “Lord Thanatos is having … difficulties with his daughter again. He requires my assistance.” Rhys only waved a hand, as if he hadn’t just yielded our city to the male. Keir jerked his chin at Eris. “I will wish to speak with you—soon.”
Once he was done gloating over his victory tonight. What we’d given.
And lost.
If the Ouroboros could not be retrieved, at least without such terrible risk … I shut out the thought, sealing it away for later, as Keir left. Leaving us alone with Eris.
The heir of Autumn just sipped his wine.
And I had the terrible sense that Mor had gone somewhere far, far away as Eris set down his goblet and said, “You look well, Mor.”
“You don’t speak to her,” Azriel said softly.
Eris gave a bitter smile. “I see you’re still holding a grudge.”