Pieces of Eight (The Frey Saga, #2)(36)

My head shook just a hint.

She cursed. "Please enlighten me precisely on what you do know."

I was in disarray, so I simply gave her a brief summary of the information I'd gotten from Rhys and Rider regarding Fannie and Asher, skipped over the part about the Rune dreams and arranged marriage details, decided against relaying what Steed had told me about my fairy issues, and gave a quick review of Chevelle's abrupt telling of the Junnie/council subject ending with Chevelle taking her place when the council elder was attacked because someone was after us.

Ruby was confounded for a moment before deciding where to begin. "All right. So, the first thing you need to know is who they were protecting you from." She stared directly into my eyes, as if willing me to remain calm as she spoke in a low and steady tone. "Asher."

Her manner didn't make any sense to me at first. I sat, staring blankly back at her until it sunk in. Protecting me. My mind was spinning so I wasn't aware I was speaking until I heard the words, "But that doesn't make any sense, he was at your house, Chevelle was meeting him, he was there..."

I felt her hand on my shoulder. "Stay with me, Frey." The turmoil must have been transparent. "There is a great deal you do not yet know," she continued. I thought I was nodding, but I lost focus on the movement when I'd realized why they were hunting Storm, who she was watching for. A notion flashed that I was picking up things much faster than I was used to just before the blackness took me.





The murkiness of sleep was broken briefly by a conversation that I couldn't quite grasp. A man's voice sounded foggy and far away. "No, that's not why. Ruby didn't even get that far before she..." And with the mention of her name, I heard Ruby jump in, closer to me. "... I'm afraid to tell her the rest. She can't seem to bear..." And then a deep voice, further out. "... I don't know how... it sickens me, she'll certainly not be able to tolerate..." And then I was gone, floating in a wordless dream surrounded by dark stone and jagged, misshapen rock.

I came to slowly. The room was quiet and dim. I sat up gingerly, rubbing my temples and then ran a hand over my face as if it could wipe away... well, everything. It didn't. I dropped my hand to my lap and it landed with a thump, as if the limb were dead. I sat, staring blankly, thinking I was alone, for a long moment. When there was a sound in the darkness across the room from me, I reacted automatically and was shocked when I heard the solid thud of someone's body hit the block wall behind them. As I was processing what had happened, I'd just enough time to realize the noise I'd heard was merely someone clearing their throat before the room lit bright and I saw Grey regaining his footing, giving me a serious scowl.

"Aw, shit," I cursed. He'd been politely letting me know he was in the room, watching me, and I'd tossed him against the wall. I was halfway across the room to him now, hoping to somehow help or apologize, but he stopped me, clearly uninjured.

He shook his head but I could see a smile working its way through. I flushed and then tottered the slightest bit before he closed the distance and steadied me. "I think we both need to sit down," he suggested.

He led us to a set of chairs positioned against the wall below a massive tapestry.

"Are you all right?" I asked sheepishly.

He smiled. "You are one dangerous charge, Freya." I flushed again. "But I am glad your instincts have returned," he reassured me. "Are you well?"

I nodded and he raised a brow questioningly. "Yes, it's just... so much."

"I understand," he said.

I dropped my head to my hands for scarcely a moment before the door opened, I looked up to see Steed come in.

"Inner chamber," he directed Grey.

Grey stood and bowed slightly to me before swiftly leaving.

Steed took his place in the chair beside me. "Elfreda."

I tried to smile at him but couldn't pull it off.

"It's all right, Frey," he said.

"It's not," I blurted out before I could compose myself. "Everything is wrong, and different, and so... ugh." His expression was sympathetic and I found myself babbling, "I mean, all of a sudden I'm a lord and I have all these people after me and I hate fairies and attacked Anvil and secrets are everywhere in my dreams and the one person who I can't even speak to without falling apart is supposed to be my betrothed-" The flow cut off as my hand came up to cover my offending mouth, but it was too late, the words were out.

Steed didn't seem shocked, he was merely watching me calmly.

I sat frozen for a few moments before I finally asked, "You knew?"

I didn't specify what, it was plain by my reaction that I was referring to the arranged marriage. He simply replied, "It was common knowledge among the kingdom."

I felt the surprise on my face, sure he'd shown far too much interest in me for having known.

He caught my response and leaned forward as he explained in a low voice, "You denied him, Freya."

I felt a tingle run up my spine and sat slack-jawed as the blood drained from my face. My stomach turned when it all came together fully. Steed reached up and placed a hand on my shoulder to steady me.

I bit down hard against the swirl and forced myself to stay with him. When I thought I had myself under control enough, I allowed a short question. "Why?" My voice was shaky and, as soon as I'd asked, I wasn't sure I even wanted the answer.