I’d be free.
Chapter Forty-Four
Alisa
Present Day
I was desperate to spend every moment reading my diary. But it was time for the ball, and I’d promised Raile.
I dressed myself for the night, the diary open on the bed. I flipped through pages, then leaned over the book to try to read as I pulled my hair back in a low chignon, or as I slipped on one of the sleek, glittering gowns.
When Raile knocked on the door, I slid the book under one of my pillows before I swung the door open.
He stood in the doorway, tall and handsome with his thick black hair and those ocean-colored eyes. His eyes widened faintly when he saw me, as if in appreciation. I didn’t even want to slap the smug look off his face tonight. He must be growing on me.
“You look lovely,” he said. “But then, I wouldn’t expect anything else.”
“It’s a trap,” I answered, before he could say it.
His smirk widened into a grin. “I wouldn’t expect anything else. But I do love that too.”
He offered his arm to me, and I tucked my hand over his forearm, which was hard under the fine material of his suit jacket.
Raile showed me around his court, introducing me to all kinds of folk of the sea: the Undine who were spirits of the water, and mermaids and kelpies, naiads and selkies. Most of them were surrounded by bubbles of water that allowed them to walk on land—or float through it, in the case of the mermaids. The respect---and even affection—they felt for Raile was evident, even if they eyed me as if they were curious about his obsession with me. I knew that feeling.
Raile drew me away from them to dance.
“Your people seem to like you,” I commented as he wrapped me up in his arms.
“You sound surprised,” he said. “Just because you insist on being tiresome about disliking me doesn’t mean everyone will feel the same.”
Before I could answer, one of his servants approached—the female with the tentacles that waved gracefully through the air. “Excuse me, your majesty.”
Raile paused, his hand still lingering on my lower back. “Yes?”
“You wanted to be informed if there was any change in Duncan’s state,” she murmured. “Prince Faer has begun to torture him.”
Faer was torturing Duncan? My heart was suddenly in my throat, as I demanded, “Why?”
Raile nodded. “I see.”
“What’s the point?” I asked, turning to Raile. “You said he’d be safe—that his value to Faer is that Az and I lo—”
I stumbled and cut myself off.
“Yes,” he said. “Faer must want to draw you out into his trap—to make sure the Shadow Man gets his grip on you before you master your memories and find a way to beat him.”
“Your friend in the garden seems to think I already know.”
“Alisa,” Raile murmured, “It’s a trap. You know it’s a trap.”
“Is it?” I frowned at him, even as he pulled my hand to his chest, as he wrapped his palm around my hip. The two of us began to dance again, although the cheerful music felt distant now. “Isn’t this a trap? Your servant coming to speak to you while I’m at your side—”
“I told them to treat you as if we all trust you,” he interrupted. “Peculiar, I know, but I do intend for you to be my queen, and it seemed like perhaps we should trust each other.”
I was never going to be his queen. I was going to be my own. But I kept that thought to myself.
If he wouldn’t go with me to help Duncan, then I would be sweet with him, I would win him over, and then tonight, I would go back through the lock and into the sea…but this time, I’d be alone. The thought made me nervous, but not like it had before; the Sea court and the ocean beyond didn’t feel like a nightmare anymore.
“Your court is beautiful,” I told him. “I’m glad I’ve gotten to see it.”
“Oh?” His brows arched.
“Don’t make me regret admitting that.” I patted his cheek teasingly, only to realize that we’d paused in the middle of the dance floor, while other couples whirled around us.
“Saying goodbye so soon?” he asked, eying me skeptically. “You have no way to make it home, Alisa. And even if you did, home is where your murderers await.”
Raile was too good at seeing through me.
“I didn’t say that.” I cocked my head to one side, studying him. “Here’s the truth, Raile. I’ve come to find you… less odious