Seven Courts of Love and Magic

Chapter 35

Zaria

"I HATE YOU." I throw a plate, sending it crashing into the wall past Lucien's head. He slides down against the chair, his eyes wide, his dinner fork stopping at his mouth.

He caught us, my father, while Nyx's mouth was halfway down my throat. Nyx had crawled in through my window again, slipping away from his parents while they took care of business in the Summer Court. He winnowed immediately, with round eyes, when my father walked in on us.

My father leans over the table now, his grip tight on the wood, his claws fully exposed. "You are never allowed to see him again." His voice is deathly calm.

I laugh nervously. "You can't stop us."

"Zaria, I'm serious."

"He's my only friend," I say softly, holding back a sob.

His hands slam against the table. "What would your mother think?"

I gasp.

Lucien sets down his fork. "Tamlin."

My hand goes up to my neck, shaking, before I run off.

——————

I lie back on my bed in my skirts, watching the dust dance in the sunshine that reflects through my room. Iris purrs beside me and I rub her orange head. I gave Nyx the other orbs, he can do it, he can find the rest. I know he can. In the meantime, I will look for the Spring orb. By the time he gets to me, collectively we'll have them all. But he still has two courts to get through, and without my ability to winnow...

I sit up with a sigh, rubbing my face. There isn't time. I have to go back. There was no choice. I had to leave with Tamlin. I knew he was bluffing, he wouldn't hurt Nyx, but without me, he would have never left the Winter Court. I was accelerating the inevitable. Nyx knew that, he had to. Right?

I pull myself out of bed, trudging to the window with a heavy heart. The rolling hills, once a vivid and deep green, were now yellow and dead. Too far gone for even my powers to help. The violet flowers, dead. The rose bushes, dying. Even the sky seemed a dimmer shade of blue. My home is dying, and there is nothing I can do about it, not anymore. Unless...

I bound to the door, struggling against the handle. The door won't open. I slam a fist, yelling out. "Did you lock me in here?"

I hear my father's voice from across the hall, getting closer. "No, of course not. Jiggle the handle."

I fiddle with the doorknob, bracing a hand against the wall for leverage, muttering, "I can't believe you locked—" The door swings open. I swallow my words.

Tamlin reaches me, looking down with a frown. "Did you really think I'd lock you in your own room?"

I cross my arms, not answering. "You have to let me go back."

His eyes soften, walking past me into the room. "Zaria..."

"You have to!" I whirl to face him, throwing out my arms. "Just let me explain."

"You don't have to explain," he says, sitting down on the edge of my bed. "Lucien already told me everything."

My eyes widen with betrayal, then realization. "Lucien...he told you about the book." The book! I didn't give Nyx the book—he'd have no idea where to find the other orbs. I eye the pack lying discarded beside my bed.

"Yes. He told me everything. You think I don't see my court dying, feel myself growing weaker? I need you here, where it's safe. This isn't your job, to be in foreign courts risking your life with that—" He cuts himself off. My eyes catch the hint of claws at his knuckles.

That male. He was going to say it, I can see it in his eyes. My heart clenches and I look away. "I know how you feel about him. But that's not the point."

Tamlin rises from the bed. "You're friends, I understand that. But I warned you to stay away from that family, now look what he's dragged you into."

I shake my head, scoffing. "It was my idea. I dragged him into it. And now he's alone. He needs my help." I surge forward, grasping my father's arms, peering up at him with desperate eyes. "Please dad, please. You have to let me go back. I'll be safe. We have been safe. You say it's not my job but it is. As future High Lady—" He bristles at my words, but says nothing.

I can see there's no getting through to him. He shakes his head, moving out of my grip and to the door. "Don't be late for dinner."

I straighten, blinking out the window to the few pink and white flowers still growing in the fields. Late to dinner. Don't worry, I won't be.