him when he made it so easy most of the time. Even when I knew it was a bad idea.
Without waiting for a reply, I headed into the house. Maddox was just coming from the hallway, and his shoulders released some tension. “Glad to see you’re back.”
I nodded. “Do you have any business at the castle within the next couple of days?” I still wasn’t sure I could trust him, but he hadn’t told the others where I’d been, so I’d tread carefully for the time being and use him when I could. I had to remember he may have only kept my secret because he didn’t want to get yelled at by Ivy for helping me.
“I could probably make a trip. Why?” he asked, and Finn brushed past me, waiting for the answer as well.
“I need to know how things are looking on West Island, but I won’t be able to return myself. Finn doesn’t seem to know when to bend the rules, but something tells me you won’t have as much of an issue with that.” That was the only hint he’d get from me that I saw past the sweet fiancé persona he put on around the others.
He grinned. “I don’t bend the rules. I’m just better at keeping my temper in check. I’ll make my way there tomorrow after I’ve tended to my own land. Speaking of, my day hasn’t gone quite how I planned. I need to get back.” He turned toward Finn. “Ivy is sleeping. Probably best to leave her that way for as long as she’s able. She’ll want to see Lucinda when she wakes as well.”
Finn grumbled, but I stopped listening. Instead, I went to my chair and took a seat. It had been a productive day, and I was ready to relax while I awaited news of phase one.
Except, every time I closed my eyes to do just that, all I saw was the king staring back at me.
The first time Maddox tried to go inside the marketplace, he was turned away unless he had something to offer the people. So, when we’d sent him back the following day with one of his workers, we made sure he had plenty to offer, including several crates of lettuce, corn, and fresh water.
He had been gone for three hours, and I was bouncing on my toes waiting for him to get back. Not because I worried for him, but because I needed to know how King Zephyr was reacting, along with the other fae. The whole point of phase one was to make the people second-guess the king’s ability to keep them safe. I needed them to question everything.
Gods, how I wished I could have gone myself, but with their heightened security, my attempts at sneaking in would have to be few and far between.
“Ms. Lucinda?” Neva said from across the room.
“Yeah?”
She pointed at me. “I think Beatrix’s spell is beginning to wear off. I can feel your magic from over here.”
I glanced down and saw the swirls of teal dancing around my body and following my curves. Well, at least I’d made it close to the castle once without being outed. Now that I thought about it, the guard who let me in shouldn’t have even known I was a dark fae. The spell must have been lifting even then.
I called my magic back to me and stuffed it down. If the block was gone and I used my power, then there was a good chance the king’s guards would find me quicker than I was hoping for.
“What does that mean?” Finn asked.
“If anyone is looking for me and is familiar with my brand of magic, then they’ll be able to find me. Let’s just hope nobody thinks to search for me during the chaos.” I winked at him and moved toward the window. Still no Maddox in sight.
Gods, I hated that I couldn’t trust him fully. Ivy was doing better and swore he was nothing other than good, but she was in love. Emotions like that made people do and believe in stupid shit. It was why I’d decided to stop testing the boundaries with Finn. Well, as much as I was capable of anyway.
After his little show the other day, I had a hard time forgetting how he’d felt pressed against me with his tongue working its magic.
Finn hadn’t mentioned it again and, since I’d been so focused on phase one, neither had I. Maybe it was for the best.
“He’s