Louie gave a cursory nod.
Deena’s torso weaved back and forth, her eyes distant. I stepped forward to steady her before she toppled over, but Officer Louie scooped her up into his arms instead, heading through the kitchen and up the stairs that led to the second floor.
“She won’t forget me, will she?” My voice held a trace of panic I couldn’t quite hide.
The lady peered at me. “If she doesn’t, it will be because she remembers you as merely a case that reached a satisfactory end. Nothing more. Nothing for her to investigate.”
“But—but—”
“It is best,” she continued, “that you separate yourself from her. She would never understand the fae until it was too late. And besides” —the lady’s eyes shone with a tinge of regret— “from what I’ve seen of her memories, she has too much compassion—empathy—to let go of a hopeless case. What I’ve done will spare her from trying to help someone she can’t, in a world she will never understand, from a fate she will never accept as permanent. I’ve done her a favor.”
Goosebumps ran down my arms. “But…”
“It’s for the best,” she said, her hand resting on my arm. “Really.”
Then, as if someone pressed a button, she straightened up, grabbed her basket case, and said goodbye, leaving without a second glance.
Chapter 21
I was staring at the door the lady had left through when I heard the soft thud of feet coming down the stairs.
Without looking at Louie, I said, “It’s not right. She needs to remember me.”
“Few things care whether or not you think they’re right.”
I spun around as Edon continued to descend the staircase.
“For instance, I didn’t think you blasting me into unconsciousness was right, but here we are,” he said as he stopped at the landing and grinned at me. A grin that melted off his face.
“What?” I said, looking at my gown and then back at him. “What’s wrong?”
“Just another thing that doesn’t care about what we think is right.”
“And what’s that?”
He smiled, leaning on the edge of the banister—but it was a bitter smile. “Look at you. A pretty fae heir dressed in a gown meant to awe her chosen consort. Instead, you get me—an un-awe-able rebel who doesn’t care how beautiful you are or aren’t. I’m using you, but I don’t actually want”—he waved his hand from my shoulders to my shoes— “you.”
He didn’t care. I knew that—I really did. And it wasn’t like I even liked the guy. But his words still managed to smart.
“Well, then, I guess it’s a good thing we can always have it annulled or something.”
Edon chuckled, his eyes darkening. “Only if both parties agree. I doubt I ever will, considering the extra security that comes from the position.”
The enormity of what he was saying drove through my gut like a fist. When I’d agreed for him to be my consort in exchange for my life, I didn’t realize I’d be signing up for a lifetime sentence—a loveless future.
No, I reminded myself. Not loveless. I’m doing this for Caleb. I’ll still have Caleb.
But a lifetime with a consort who wouldn’t ever love me…
“But if I promise to protect you—”
He shook his head as he sauntered toward me. “If the queen takes over your mind, my position as consort is not only my lifeline, but the lifeline of every fae who follows me. It becomes a treaty between me and the queen, one she would never make if already in command of your body. I need something more formal, more binding than the promise of an heir that is only good for as long as she can control a queen trying to invade her mind.”
“But then why—”
“But,” he said, moving a half-step closer, making my cheeks flush. “If our hopes are realized and you overcome the parasite, we have the best of both worlds. We get our powers back and are ruled by someone who isn’t a psychopath—at present.”
“Then we can go our separate ways,” I said.
Edon chuckled, stepping back. “And who would you replace as consort? Keep in mind that your consort is your second-in-command and your closest adviser.”
“I’m sure I could find someone I liked.”
“Maybe. Let’s, for the sake of argument, say you fall in love with some poor fae. Would you really want him as your consort with what you’ll be fighting day in and day out?
“What do you mean?” My heart thumped as Edon looked at me, pity in his eyes.
“Should you defeat the queen at the investiture, she will always be there, in the back of your mind, lurking—waiting for that moment of weakness when she can take over. What could she destroy? How many lives could she end if you have a day—even an hour—of weakness?”
My heart felt like it was drumming its way out of my chest.
“She’d still be there? In my mind?”
Edon nodded. “Like a virus hiding out, biding its time. Given that likelihood, I’d be a fool to release you so long as you pose a threat to me and to those who follow me.”
“But if the investiture doesn’t work, then there wouldn’t be a problem.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Why wouldn’t it work? You’re the heir.”
“Well, let’s just say, for the sake of argument,” I said, parroting him, “that the investiture doesn’t go quite as planned. That there is no transfer of power and that everyone gets stuck in their glamours forever. The fae won’t want me as queen, so I wouldn’t need a consort.”
Edon shook his head. “Should the impossible happen, I’d happily agree to an end of our arrangement. As I would if the queen disappeared forever or—better yet—shriveled up and died while in your mind because your amazing powers are such that she cannot abide your greatness.”
I looked away from Edon’s mocking smile, my hands clenched at my
