14. CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 14

DANIELLA

As soon as Cardian left, the female rushed to her crushed pet and picked it up, keeping her desperate little sobs as quiet as possible.

“Oh, my poor little Lord Snuffles.”

I tried to let Dark Dani lead me away from them, but in the end, it was impossible for my true self to ignore the poor creature’s whimpers.

Hiding my concern under a layer of irritation, I stomped toward the woman.

“I think you should leave now.” I grabbed her by the arm and led her toward the same door Cardian had used to exit.

She didn’t oppose me. She only clenched her little friend to her chest and allowed me to guide her outside. Once out in the hall, I was glad to find that Cardian and his retinue had disappeared.

I let go of the female’s arm, and she began to retreat.

“Wait a moment,” I said, my tone a million times warmer than it had been a moment ago. “Let me see what is wrong with your pet. I hate to see animals suffer. People on the other hand.” I shrugged one shoulder and winked, hoping that if Cardian heard I had a compassionate side, it didn’t extend to bipedal creatures.

She looked up in surprise and searched my eyes.

I placed a hand on her pet’s tiny body. I immediately surveyed the damage and detected several broken ribs and deep contusions. Letting my healing magic flow, I repaired each injury. When I was done, Lord Snuffles’ body gave a shudder, then a long exhalation of relief. Looking lively, the animal lifted its head and snuffled, doing honor to its name.

The female looked surprised again. Though, this time, gratitude also mingled in her expression.

“Thank you,” she mouthed as if it were a crime to undo the awful things Cardian did.

Her joy at seeing her little friend restored to health warmed my heart, but I couldn’t let it show, so I batted a hand in the air.

“It’s nothing. It was either heal it or kill it. This was far less messy.”

Her gratefulness disfigured into horror. Slowly, she took two steps away from me, then whirled and ran down the hall, casting fearful glances over her shoulder as if she expected me to pull out a bow and arrow to shoot her in the back.

Her reaction both pleased me and made me feel like shit. It was great for my mission that I could convince people I was as awful as Cardian, but it was sobering to realize I had that ability in me.

I went back to the party, sliding past the door I’d left cracked open. Before making my way toward Naesala, I spent some time meandering through the room, giving everyone haughty looks that matched Cardian’s and Varamede’s. In turn, I received jealous glances as people gossiped behind their hands, probably asking each other how I’d earned Cardian’s favor so quickly, especially when I was supposed to be Kalyll’s ally.

But why were they so surprised? They should’ve recognized a backstabber when they saw one. Takes one to know one, after all.

As I got closer, Naesala moved away from the female she was speaking with and meandered my way. Her raven hair fell straight to frame her pale face, and her matching gown flowed like dark water around her. She wore bright red lipstick and nail polish just as vivid.

“Hello, Dani,” she said.

I gasped, my eyes going around the room, trying to see if anyone had heard her call me that.

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m using a little spell that will make them hear some dribble about how much we love Cardian.”

My panic eased immediately. “Nice.”

“Right? It’s my specialty. So, what do you think of this bed of vipers? I was afraid you would be out of your depths, but you fit right in. Don’t take me wrong, I mean that as a compliment. Did you ever think of becoming a spy?”

“No, but I’m not quite the same person I was before I came to Elf-hame.”

“The shadowdrifter energy?”

I nodded. When we stayed at her house waiting for King Beathan’s send-off to The Blessed Fields, we told the sorceress everything. She knew every dirty little secret that pertained to Kalyll. She could easily ruin everything if she decided to switch sides. Not a comforting thought. Not at all.

“Then you should be grateful you have it,” Naesala said.

“Oh, believe me, I am.”

We were quiet for a moment, observing Cardian’s sycophants.

“How can you stand it?” I asked.

“I focus on the little pleasures.” She held up her wine glass.

“They do have good food.” A pause. “But I need to get out of here. I need Cardian to go to Nerethien, so I can find Kalyll. Do you have any idea how long Cardian plans to stay here?”

“I’m afraid he’s not going anywhere, at least not for an extended period of time. He has some work to do in order to bend all the generals to his will. He and Mythorne want to attack and take over the smaller courts, but he can’t do that unless all the leaders agree. He’ll use fear, bribery, murder, imprisonment, or whatever means at his disposal, so it’ll take some time.”

I shook my head, desperation mounting. “We can’t allow that, and we can’t allow Kalyll to remain in the Unseelie capital. What do we do?”

“I have been thinking about that since your pixie friend came to visit me and explained everything, and I have an idea.”

My heart lifted, if only a little. “I’m all ears.”

“We will need a loyal male of about Kalyll’s build and height. I suggest his half-brother, Kryn.”

“Okay.” I didn’t know where she was going with this, but I hoped Shadow would be able to get in touch with the Sub Rosa through her network sooner rather than later.

I waited for the sorceress to explain further, but she just stood straight, her chin held high as she surveyed the guests, looking more regal than Cardian ever could.

“So what’s this plan?” I pressed her.

“Let’s sit.” She pointed toward a couple of chairs in a secluded corner. We sat down, and after she reassured me that her spell was still obscuring our conversation, she explained what she had in mind.

When she was done, I had to admit her idea was very clever and made my hopes soar even higher.