25. CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 25

DANIELLA

Sometime before dinnertime, Kryn guided Kalyll and me out of his chamber, while the others stayed. We avoided areas with high traffic and made it toward his sister’s room, which was on the opposite end of the castle. Apparently, it was an area reserved for the chambers of the single women in the earl’s family.

A few times, we ran into people, but Kalyll’s shadowdrifter powers wrapped us protectively, while Kryn kept walking as if he owned the place, which he did or would soon, at least.

When we arrived at Mylendra’s door, he knocked three times, loudly and firmly. A young chambermaid answered, peeking out with one eye as if she expected trouble.

“I need to see my sister,” Kryn said, while we faded into Kalyll’s shadows, unseen by the young girl.

“Lady Goren is—“ the chambermaid began, but Kryn pushed his way in without waiting for her to finish, sending the girl stumbling backward as she issued a little cry of alarm.

“In Erilena’s name, what is the meaning of this intrusion?” Mylendra exclaimed, her eyes flashing with anger.

“I need to talk to you,” Kryn said, as Kalyll and I slipped through the door, unseen by the chambermaid, who was distracted by the rude intruder.

Mylendra stood in front of a large mirror trimmed in silver, half-dressed, her corset unlaced, which didn’t seem to bother her in Kryn’s presence. Her hair was a mass of red curls that tumbled down her back in an unruly cascade, held in place by a few scattered pins. Her cheeks were flushed from the exertion of dressing and from half-applied rouge.

Despite her undone appearance, there was something undeniably alluring about her. Her skin was smooth and creamy, the perfect canvas for the delicate lace of her corset that pushed up her bosom.

“What do you want?” she asked, facing the mirror and pinning a few locks.

Kryn glanced sideways at the maid.

Mylendra rolled her eyes in a tired way, reminding me of my younger sister, Lucia. “Leave. I’ll finish getting ready myself.”

The girl curtsied and left, never noticing the deeper shadows that had scurried to a corner that the light from the sconces didn’t touch.

Mylendra picked up a brush and used it to gather her hair together. She applied a few more pins, accomplishing a look that appeared almost careless but was anything but.

“If you’ve come to tell me you haven’t been able to talk Father out of his evil scheme,” she set the brush down, “don’t waste your breath. I already know. He scolded me for sending you to intercede on my behalf.”

“No, that’s not why I’m here.”

“Then don’t waste my time.” She sighed, frustration evident in the way she tugged at the laces of her corset. “I need to get ready for dinner where I’m sure he’ll inform me exactly how to behave tomorrow. I’m supposed to smile and keep my mouth shut.” She sniffled. “He has lost his mind, Kryn. Mythorne will not take kindly to Father’s betrayal. He crafted an alliance with the Seelie King and Queen, and now he expects the Unseelie King to play second best. Honestly, I don’t think his mind is sound.”

“I agree. That’s why I’m here with a proposition for you.”

She hesitated for a moment, but then curiosity got the best of her. Looking down her nose, she plumped her cheeks and faced her brother.

“I’m all ears.” She waved a hand. “But be quick about it. I don’t have all night.”

“I propose that you don’t go to Nerethien.”

“Oh, brother, you’re a genius!” Sarcasm dripped from her voice in a way that seemed universal to younger siblings. “I already tried to escape. It got me this bruise and a horrible threat.“ She held up her wrist to show the imprint of a hand wrapped around it. “The threat also extends to our mother—not that she tried very hard to go against his wishes.”

“You know she’s utterly beaten down by him.”

“Just like I will be when he marries me off to that monster.” Mylendra pressed a hand to her mouth, and I feared she would start crying, but she blinked rapidly and took a deep breath, effectively reining in her emotions.

“You will not marry him. All you have to do is stay in my chamber tonight and act like you’re not here.”

“They’ll go looking for me,” she protested.

“They won’t because someone else will take your place.”

She blinked her big green eyes. “W-who? How?”

“Don’t get scared.” Kryn put a hand up as if pacifying a horse, then nodded toward the corner where we were hiding.

Slowly, Kalyll pulled the shadows back to reveal our presence.

Mylendra gasped, covered her bosom needlessly—she was overdressed by any modern human standards—and took a step back. Her gaze jumped back and forth from Kalyll to me several times before she found her words. “Prince Kalyll.”

“My lady,” he bowed his head.

“King Kalyll,” Kryn corrected.

“I’m sorry.” Mylendra curtsied, a very slight bend of her knees and a bob of her head. She seemed to forget all about her outfit.

Kalyll waved a hand. “It is of no consequence, especially since I have no kingdom at the moment.”

“You’re here to… rescue me.” Mylendra touched a hand to the bare top of her bosom, looking as if this was what she’d been expecting all along.

I took a step forward and interlaced my fingers with Kalyll’s, staking my claim.

Her satisfaction turned into sour incredulity.

“My lady, this is Daniella Sunder, my…” Kalyll turned to look at me, “My betrothed.” He smiled and cocked his head to one side.

I nodded once, letting him know I had no trouble with that title. He could call me whatever he wanted as long as it meant we would always be together.

“Betrothed?” Mylendra glared at me. “Beware, lady, that title means nothing to this male.”

“Sister,” Kryn scolded her.

“What?”

Kalyll interjected. “I mean no disrespect, Lady Goren. I simply wish to make things as clear as possible to avoid confusion. Our engagement was one of convenience, established under circumstances much different than the ones we face now. Your father withdrew his offer as soon as I fell out of favor, which set me free to pursue the female I truly love. Now, my only intention is to avoid a war and, in the process, save you from a fate worse than death. If we succeed, I hope you will then be free to do as I did and find someone you truly love.”

Mylendra’s mouth opened and closed a few times, but in the end, nothing came out. For what could she say when Kalyll had disarmed her so utterly with honesty? And not only that but with hope for something better.

At least, I expected her to see it that way. For all I knew, her only goal was to marry a royal male—just not one as despicable as Mythorne. But if status was all she wanted from a relationship then: good luck to her.

“So what?” she said to Kryn, her words biting. “You said someone would take my place. You don’t mean this… person.” She made it sound as if a gnat might have a better chance of impersonating an eagle.

“Watch how you talk about her,” Kalyll growled, his voice nearly that of Wölfe.

I patted his arm. “I can take care of this.”

Letting Dark Dani loose, I stuck my chin up and strolled in a semicircle in front of Mylendra, scanning her from head to toe with as much disdain as she’d shown me.

Take the high road, sensible Dani was saying.

Nope. Not today. I really didn’t feel like it. I was here to save this spoiled brat from a nightmare, she could at least be civil.

“You’re a bit pale and bony, but I think I can manage it.” I pointed at my face. “I can sneer just as well, you don’t have an exclusive license on making horrid faces. Doing so will give you wrinkles, by the way, so you’d better try to smile once in a while.”

“How dare you come to my home and insult me?”

“If Mythorne gets his way, this may not be your home for long. So it would be wise of you to treat those who are willing to help you with decency. Unless you… don’t want my help.” I raised my eyebrows as if I’d just realized something. “Oh, perhaps that’s it. You want to marry that awful male.”

“I do not.”

“The lady doth protest too much.” I nearly cheered. I had just quoted Shakespeare, and I couldn’t have done it at a better time. I didn’t even sound like a geek out of place and time. My eleventh-grade teacher would be so proud of me.

“Shakespeare?” Kalyll said. “Really?”

I rounded on him and glowered. How dare he try to spoil my moment? He put both hands up, holding back a smirk.

“What are you two about?” Mylendra asked.

I shrugged dismissively. “You wouldn’t understand, dear.”

“Don’t dear me and don’t pretend that you’re doing this for me. You want your throne back.“ She pointed at Kalyll. “And you,” her finger moved in my direction, “you’re likely just some fortune seeker who wants to become queen.”

“Not everyone shares your same motives, dear, but we’re wasting time. If you want to marry Mythorne, by all means, don’t let us get in the way.“ I walked back to Kalyll’s side and waited for her answer, a bland smile stretching my lips.

Kryn glanced at me disapprovingly. It wasn’t as if we had a choice, and we could allow his sister to decide what to do. If she said she wanted to go to Nerethien with her father, we would have to knock her out and supplant her anyway. He had wanted to avoid doing that, but to me, it was a win either way. Of course, I would rather her eat humble pie than render her unconscious.

Or did I? That was a tough one.

After a loaded moment, Mylendra swallowed thickly, stared fixedly at the ceiling, and said, “Do what I need to do? I will go along with your scheme.”

“Excellent.” I clapped my hands together, reached into a hidden pocket of my dress, and pulled out one of the many vials Naesala had made for us.

“What is that?” Mylendra asked, looking panicked.

“Not to worry,” I said. “I’m the one who has to drink this. All you have to do is hold my hand.”

Since the sorceress had only seen Mylendra once and from afar, this potion was a little different. It contained an added spell that would scan Mylendra as she was and would turn me into her. I wasn’t looking forward to it. The last time Naesala had altered my appearance, it had hurt like hell. Though, she promised it wouldn’t be nearly as bad this time, since the alteration was temporary and would slowly wear out unless I drank another dose once a day or so. She had given us a two-day supply, all she’d been able to brew on short notice.

I extended a hand in Mylendra’s direction. One of her sneers nearly took shape, but she stopped it just in time. It seemed I’d succeeded in curbing what appeared to be a natural disdain for others. I vaguely wondered how much more difficult she would act if she knew I was human.

She placed her hand in mine, looking everywhere except into my eyes. Uncapping the small vial with my thumb—the cork tumbling to the floor—I downed its contents to the last drop.