These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows, #2)(120)

Finn spares me a brief glance as I enter alongside Sebastian. He quickly returns his focus to Juliana as we take our seats at the head of the table.

“It’s clear we have a security problem,” Finn says, addressing the room without taking his eyes off the female who was once supposed to rule by his side as his queen. “Someone is reporting to Queen Arya. She knew when the children were moved to the capital and when Abriella was there with them. Juliana knew that too, because I was in communication with her that day.”

Juliana shakes her head. “You think I would murder innocent Unseelie children, Finn? That I would lay siege to my own capital?”

Finn ignores her and continues. “Then there was the attack on us from camp on our way to the portal. Someone had to clue the queen in as to where we’d be.”

“Why would I want to help that bitch?” Juliana growls. Tears roll down her pretty porcelain cheeks. “I am on your side.”

“You knew we were there.”

She shakes her head. “Why would I want to hurt you when I’m in love with you?” she whispers.

“I’ve always been in love with you, and even when I accepted that you wouldn’t ever return those feelings, everything I did, I did to help you take your rightful place on that throne.”

Finn’s jaw goes hard, but his eyes are harder—silver chips of ice. “If you want to prove your innocence, drop your shields for Misha. Let him see into your mind.”

“There’s no way to know that she’s dropped them completely,” Misha warns. “With Juliana’s training, she could easily show me bits and pieces. It’s not proof of her innocence if I see no thoughts tying her to Queen Arya.”

“Finn, I swear to you,” Juliana pleads. “We didn’t know who Abriella really was. Mab hid every sign that she had an heir. We had no way of knowing. And if Mother had known, she would’ve opened the portal for you.”

Finn folds his arms and leans back in his chair. “Drop your shields. Let my friend into your mind.”

More tears stream down her cheeks, and she whispers, “I’m sorry, but it’s not what you think.”

Misha draws in a long, shuddering breath. “She was responsible for the Barghest,” he says coolly.

“She and the High Priestess used their magic together to send the death dog after Abriella. They believed the crown would shift to Finn if Brie died.”

Finn’s expression is schooled, but I still see the hurt that flashes through his eyes. I hate this for him. I might not like Juliana, but she has been his friend his entire life. He cares for her, and losing her now, when he’s losing so much, has to hurt.

“You,” he growls in her face. “You sent that beast after her?”

Her eyes glisten with tears. “Mother felt it the moment Abriella arrived in our realm. The High Priestess was serving you, Finn, just as she swore to do. She served you from the beginning, and when her oath to Mab took her life, she still thought she was serving you.”

Finn’s eyes blaze with anger, his hands clenching and releasing over and over again, as if he’s desperately trying to get a grip on his temper. “And the Sluagh? The fire?” he asks, his jaw hard.

“Mother was able to tap into the power of the mirror,” Juliana whispers. “She lured Brie there and the Sluagh did the rest. We wanted to do it for you so you wouldn’t have to. You’ve always put love above duty, and it’s cost you. It’s cost all of us.”

“You don’t get to speak to me about loss, ” he snarls.

“I had nothing to do with the attack on the capital and nothing to do with the people who tried to stop you on your way to the portal. I would never have disabled the portal when I knew you were on the other side.”

We all turn to Misha, waiting to see if this is true.

He stares at Juliana for a long time before shaking his head. “As far as I can tell, she speaks the truth, but I can’t guarantee anything.”

“See?” she whispers. “Just let me go. I love my court. I want to help. ”

Finn stares at her. His inner turmoil simmers through the room.

I lift my chin and muster up my best queenlike authority. “No,” I say, saving Finn from having to do it. “Keep her locked up until the throne has been recovered. We can’t risk having the queen find us when we’re so close.”

Misha’s wide russet eyes turn on me. “So it’s settled then? You’ll go to the River of Ice so you can take the throne together?”

“We will,” Sebastian says. He turns his gaze from Misha to Finn. “But I have no intention of sharing my bonded partner with another male, so you’ll need to leave the palace and find another place to live.”

Finn’s smile is so icy it chills my veins. “Consider it done.”

Pretha’s worried gaze moves about the room from Misha to Kane to Finn before finally settling on me. “Please hurry,” she says.

Finn’s expression softens as he turns to his sister-in-law, but Pretha shoves back her chair and runs from the room.

“We’ll head out at first light,” Sebastian says. “If you think you can handle it.”

I nod. There’s no reason to wait.

Kane clears his throat. “Finn, you should go as well, in case they encounter any trouble.”