67: Ada's POV

The group had practically disappeared from thin air moments after those words left Darius’s mouth. It made perfect sense, considering it was clear-cut treason. I knew better than to ask any follow-up questions, even though at least a hundred flooded my mind. It didn’t matter, seeing as I didn’t need to know the details of the execution of our current Alpha King.

Instead, I could focus my energies on finding a last-minute gown for the ball. I rang the bell to Gwynn’s quarters and set to lacing up my combat boots. The door to my room swung open quickly, and my Lady’s Maid walked into the space. Her eyes were rimmed red, and her cheeks were blotchy.

She sniffled and gave me a curtsy, “Yes, Ada?”

My hands froze around the laces of my boots. I cocked my head to the side and rolled my shoulders back, “Gwynn? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing that needs to be addressed now, my lady,” she sent me a weak smile. “What do you need?”

I debated whether or not I was going to push her on it. As my boots thudded on the floor as I trudged over to my cardigan, I decided against it. If Gwynn needed privacy, it was the least I could do for her. Moon Goddess knew how many times she’d done it for me over the last few months. She moved to assist me while I pulled on the black cardigan, and I gave a small shake of my head.

“We need to make a trip to the modiste, but I need to make sure that Lilith is there,” I spun around.

“Is this for the ball?” Gwynn perked up a bit, her smile becoming more genuine. I gave a quick nod. “I’ll call down. We can leave within fifteen minutes. Lilith is always there on Fridays.”

She disappeared in a flash. The room was still for a moment, but then the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I glared at the shadows moving in the corner, “Nik. Come on out.”

He seemed to step into the room from nowhere, as if he’d emerged from a portal. Gone were the soft and gentle eyes of the Alpha Prince I had become accustomed to. His eyes were a matte onyx, his face darkened. Shadows swirled around him. It was as if they were in as much control of him as he was of them. I observed as they twined around his legs, his arms, brushed against his neck and hands... If I didn’t know him any better, I’d say they were comforting him.

Lucky for me, I knew him better now.

His eyes raked over my body, and his eyebrow quirked up. I looked down. Maybe the combat leathers I was in were a bit extreme for a trip to the modiste, and perhaps they looked a little odd paired with the light pink cardigan I’d put over them bodice, but they’d grown on me. They were more comfortable than the ballgowns I’d grown accustomed to since arriving here, and more practical as well.

His voice was deep, seeming to echo through the room, “Are you talking about Lilith, the High Fae princess that resides in the village?” I gave him a curt nod, and he shook his head, “And what could the lovely Royal Surrogate possibly have to discuss with her today?”

“She’s my friend. Has been for a long time, Nik,” I grumbled, voice low, “Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I shouldered past him, toward the door to the hallway, “The modiste is one of the few things I’m *free* to do given my circumstances.”

He smirked, leaning against the wall and using his shadows to shove against the door to the hall, “One day, you won’t be angry with me anymore. You’ll understand.”

“What I *understand*,” I spat out, “is that your words mean nothing, Nikolai Ashford. You’re as bad a Darius with the way you’ve treated me.”

I expected anger. I’d said the words I thought would get under his skin. I thought his shadows would wrap around me, force me into submission. Hell, I craved the fire and anger from him. Anything to make me feel like he cared. Instead, I was met with cold indifference. A simple shrug and a light chuckle. And then he stepped through the magicked brick wall and disappeared from view.

The door to the hall swung open, nearly hitting me square in the forehead. Gwynn poked her head around and grinned, “You ready?”

Before I could respond, Gwynn yelped. I spun around, ice forming on my fingertips. When I took in the sight of Phoenix, an amused grin on his face, I relaxed a bit but kept the ice handy. Gwynn gaped at my hands, and I cursed quietly. I tucked my hands behind my back quickly.

“Gwynn,” Phoenix reached forward and grabbed my lady maid’s hand, “Her life depends on you keeping that secret.” When she slowly nodded, Phoenix looked at me while keeping her hands in his, “I’m here to escort you two to the modiste.”

“I don’t need an escort to get a dress,” I stepped around him, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Both our future Alpha King and our spymaster seem to disagree,” Phoenix’s voice was light.

Of course they did. I started out the door, taking in his dark jeans and loose t-shirt, “So, what, the three of you agree on everything now?”

His hand grabbed my wrist, yanking me back toward him. We wound up chest to chest, with him looking down a me with a piercing gaze. His long, golden-fire hair was unbound and hanging in loose, wavy locks. Phoenix gave a small shake of his head and brought his hand up to my face. His thumb ran over my bottom lip slowly.

“We most certainly do not,” he dropped his hand as my lips parted, “In this instance, I’m just the only one you’re not angry with, Ada.”

“The lesser of three evils,” I muttered, and he nodded, “Well, if that’s the case, then we’d better go.”

Gwynn swallowed as Phoenix released me, and I turned to her, “Do you have an idea for what you want?”

“Something that will make his brothers eat the shit they’ve served me.”