Court of Lies by Dyan Chick

Author:Dyan Chick [Chick, Dyan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Illaria Publishing
Published: 2019-02-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

"You were amazing," Tristan said as we stood in front of my bedroom door. "Now you see why I needed you and your knowledge of humans here."

"I do," I said. "However, it doesn't excuse the secrets and hidden agendas. How do you know I wouldn't have just agreed to help if you'd asked?"

"You wouldn't have, that much I know," he said.

I pursed my lips. It was difficult to argue with someone who could see the future. It was possible he had looked into my response. "Not because I didn't want to help you, I can assure you. It's just not great timing for me. I have Queen's Trial to think about. Plus..." my thoughts drifted to the princes I'd left behind.

"I'm sure they're all pining away for you right now," he said, his expression hardening. "Good night."

"Tristan, don't do that," I said.

"Do what?" he asked.

"Shut me out because I'm in love with someone who isn't you. You're the one who brought me here."

He chuckled. "You think I'm jealous?"

"Aren't you?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No, princess. They can have you."

My shoulders fell and a weight settled into the pit of my stomach. I'd been telling myself I had no interest in Tristan yet hearing him say those words shattered something inside me. I lifted my chin, feigning nonchalance as best I could.

I turned the handle of the door. "Good night, Tristan."

"Good night, princess," he said, turning away from me.

I lingered in front of the open door, watching him as he walked away. He never turned to look at me. Maybe he really wasn't jealous. Maybe he really didn't care about me. Not that I should care. Tristan wasn't good for me and I knew that. Why was it so hard for me to ignore him?

Feeling more confused than usual, I stepped into the room to find a familiar face waiting for me in the corner of the room. All thoughts of Tristan vanished as I squealed and ran toward Nani.

My old maid returned my eager embrace, the two of us holding on longer than necessary. It was as if she knew that I was afraid to let her go. Finally, I broke the embrace and stepped back to look at her. "You're here. Thank the gods you're alive."

Nani smiled. "Hush now, child. No reason to be so worked up. I'm here now and I'm not leaving you again."

"How are you here?" I asked.

Her brow furrowed. "I thought you sent for me?"

My eyes widened. "No, not that I didn't want you here, I just never knew I could."

"Don't worry, child," she said. "His Grace must have known you needed some company."

"His Grace - you mean Ethan or Cormac or Dane, right?" I asked.

"The Winter Prince," she said. "He sent word to the Queen that you were in need of a maid and thought you would benefit from a familiar face. He asked her to send you some company."

"Tristan sent for you?" I asked.

"Yes, he did," she said.

"What happened after my

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