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He gloated at me over his shoulder. “Your father’s.” Then he was gone.
My heart skipped a beat. No, he didn’t know my father. This was a trick. He couldn't. He was a conniving fox, after nothing more than his own elevation.
I shook off the comment as best as I could, but he had gotten to me in more ways than one. He knew my weakness, Lilian. He knew too much about my relationship with Gaelin, and now he was dangling my father in front of me? Which would infer that he knew I was a half-breed. I made my way back to Gaelin’s chambers, trying to act normal. To my surprise, Gaelin was already asleep, which honestly, I was thankful for. I sat on the balcony and looked up at the stars, trying to come up with my own defenses against the ambassador of horrors.
Chapter 13
After hours of contemplating ways to kill Ambassador Lyklor, I finally came to the realization that in my current situation I was powerless to do anything. If I was even seen speaking with him, the other alfar would assume I was being unfaithful to Gaelin and have me killed. The alfar’s senses were too adept to use poisons. I would never be able to get close enough to kill him. I was powerless and I hated it.
That night I dreamt of Lyklor. I saw flashes of him and a light alfar who looked vaguely familiar speaking in the corner of the castle. I couldn’t make out what they were saying, but I recognized the alfar’s face. He was a young representative of one of the high houses. I had seen him at dinner and speaking with the king and also in Princess Daealla’s room the day she had summoned for me. I watched as the two of them conspired and plotted against Gaelin. This light alfar had joined forces with Lyklor and the ambassador was using his naivety to his advantage. I jolted awake with the new information.
This had to be a power, not just a coincidence. Gaelin was already up, getting ready for the day. I dressed quickly, eager to seek out the alfar I had seen in my premonition. Gaelin came to kiss me on my head before collecting his jacket.
“What’s on the agenda for today?” I asked.
“More arguments with the dark representatives. Trying to keep my own people on my side in the process,” he said, sounding irritated.
“Why wouldn’t your people back you?” I asked.
“As I said, Lyklor is very convincing. Either he has someone on our side working with him or my court has very little faith in me, which doesn’t reflect well on the crown.”
That was all the confirmation I needed to be certain I wasn’t going crazy. My premonition was of Erendrial’s inside informant, it had to be. But how was I going to oust him? Gods forbid if I was wrong, they would take my head for interfering. I had to plan this one out on my own before I brought it to Gaelin. I didn’t want to add more stress to his plate. Plus, if this was just another dream, I didn’t want to seem like a desperate fool. I had to confirm this for myself first.
“You have nothing to worry about. The alfar love you,” I said.
He leaned in to kiss me on the mouth with a small smile. “Only the alfar?” he asked playfully.
I smiled, trying to hide my discomfort. Looking back at that moment, I may have said those three little words too hastily.
“Stay in crowds today or find Levos and stay with him. I will see you at dinner.”
“Of course,” I said, gathering the laundry and heading out of his chambers.
I dropped the clothing at the wash station and headed towards the debriefing room I knew Gaelin and the others would be in. The members of the council were out in the halls, huddled in small groups, talking amongst themselves. I stationed myself near a large cupboard, pretending to dust the monstrosity as I scoped out the players, searching for the face in my vision.
Filo turned the corner with two other alfar males trailing him. A pair of hands settled on top of my shoulders and startled me. I turned to see Levos staring back at me.
“What are you doing up here and why are you dusting this hunk of crap?”
“Chores and all. Who is that?” I asked, gesturing to the blonde man.
“Uh, that is Lord Filo Uytum, son of Lord Freg Uytum. Why do you ask?”
“Just trying to learn about the court is all,” I turned to leave the hall.
Levos caught up to me with one long stride. “You’ve been here for almost four months, and you are just now asking questions about the houses? Sweet Genevieve, do us both a favor and never enter into politics. Do you take me as a fool? What was that inquiry about?” Levos asked.
Erendrial Lyklor and five of his court members turned the corner heading straight towards us. His eyes locked on mine, and he grinned. I glared at him before dropping my eyes to the floor. As he passed by, I heard a faint laugh deep in his throat.
Levos looked from me to Lyklor and then back to me. “And what in the heavens was that about?”
“Nothing, you’re just seeing things, Levos.”
“Uh, no sweetheart. You better start talking, or we are going to have an altercation and fair warning, you will lose.”
I turned to him, pulling us out of the way of oncoming traffic. “Don’t ask me how, but I think Lord Filo is working with Lyklor as his inside man. That is why Gaelin is having so many problems trying to persuade the other light members to his side. Because Filo is working against him and using his influence to do Lyklor’s bidding.”
Levos looked shocked, trying to process the accusation. “Alright, I am going to pretend I don’t want to know how you got this information. Gen, do you realize what you are saying? If this information is wrong, you will be signing your own death warrant. Not even Gaelin will be able to save you. On top of all that, Filo is a favorite of Princess Daealla. They have an… interesting relationship if you get my meaning.”