it was usually possible to see when someone was being mind controlled—like the glowing light in the eyes of those that my mother commanded.
Still, there was just something weird here.
Aurelia gestured to the food on the tray. “Help yourself.”
My stomach growled, and I realized I was genuinely hungry. Using all that magic earlier had really drained me.
I reached for the tray, but Chad appeared out of nowhere.
He bowed low. “Let me.”
Oh boy, this place was weird.
I smiled and nodded. He prepared a plate for Tarron and me, passing them over. I studied him carefully, and there really appeared to be no magic around him that would compel him to stay.
On the other hand, the Vestals were all beautiful and this place seemed like some sort of sorority house full of women who knew what they liked—sex, mostly—so I could see how this might not be a hardship for Chad.
Subtly, I tried to inspect the food, making sure that none of it was like the Fae fruit that would keep me here forever.
“It’s fine,” Tarron murmured, so quietly that I could barely hear him.
I trusted him, since he seemed to be an expert on food that could compel you.
Ravenous, I began to eat. The bread, cheese, and fruit was all phenomenal. Though I was aware of the gaze of the Vestals, I ignored it. They chatted away, seeming happy to talk about all the new guys who had shown up on their doorstep in the last week.
A few minutes later, having satisfied the worst of my hunger, I looked up to meet their gazes. They stopped chatting.
“Thank you,” Tarron said.
“We need to meet with the Guardians,” I blurted. “As soon as possible.”
“And why might that be?” Aurelia’s keen eyes narrowed on me.
“Another woman”—I didn’t want to mention that she was my mother—“seeks the Eternal Flame. She wants to destroy the entire Seelie kingdom with it.”
Both Vestals shuddered.
“Her.” Aurelia almost hissed the word.
“You’ve met her?” Tarron asked.
“Didn’t need to,” Aurelia said. “Saw her passing by. Bad energy on that one. We hid our home from her so she could not approach.”
“That’s handy,” I said.
“Very.” Domitia nodded. “We only want the willing, here.”
I glanced at Chad, who waited a few yards away, an eager expression on his face. “Well, success to you, then.” Worry over my mother tugged at me. “The woman. How much of a lead does she have on us? I worry what she’ll do to the Guardians if they don’t share the location of the Eternal Flame.”
“Not much of a lead.” Domitia grinned evilly. “We sent sprites after her. They will slow her. And she will have a very hard time reaching the Guardians without our guidance.”
“Impossible, most likely,” Aurelia said.
I’d love to think they were right, but I knew it was unlikely. “Don’t underestimate her.”
Aurelia frowned. “No, you are right. That would be stupid.”
“You seek the flame to protect it?” Domitia asked.
“We don’t seek the flame at all,” Tarron said. “Just the woman who hunts it. We wish to stop her before she gets it and uses it to destroy my kingdom.”
Aurelia and Domitia shared a glance.
“Shall we test the truth of their words?” Domitia asked.
Aurelia nodded. “Most definitely.” She turned to us then pointed to the pool. “Submerge yourselves.”
“I just got dry,” I said. “You should have seen the storm out there.”
“Do it anyway,” Aurelia said. “We need to know if we can trust you, and the pool of truth will reveal that.”
“How?” Tarron asked.
“It will drown you if you are lying.”
“Effective pool,” I muttered, rising to my feet.
These women clearly weren’t going to take no for an answer. I strode to the glittering blue water.
“Naked.” Aurelia grinned a catlike smile.
I turned to her and raised a brow. “Seriously? This isn’t just for your own amusement?”
“Oh, I’ll certainly be amused.” Her grin widened. “But also, we don’t want you polluting the water with your filthy clothes.”
“Filthy bodies are just fine.” Domitia’s smile was full of innuendo, and I nearly groaned.
“You ladies need to get ahold of yourselves,” I said.
“I don’t see why.” Aurelia shrugged.
I didn’t want to argue the point with her—and honestly, maybe she was right. Who was I to tell her how to live in her sex temple in the woods? She’d done her time as a Vestal Virgin, so she’d earned it. And I didn’t mind getting naked.
Except for the fact that Tarron was here.
I’d rather die than show that I was uncomfortable, though. So I began to strip, starting with my boots.
Tarron rose and