These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows, #2)(23)

The second he mentioned that Finn was the one who wanted to help the commoners in the Unseelie realm, I felt myself softening, listening a little more intently. Then he spoke of protecting future generations, and I realized I was being played. Misha is no different from the others—telling me exactly what I need to hear to get me to act exactly as he wants me to act.

But I won’t be played again. The only thing I can trust is that no one can be trusted.

I collapse on my bed, not bothering to remove my boots, and try to think. Part of me wants to listen to Misha’s plan. That part wants to know how I can help Finn and Sebastian avoid another costly war. I want to know what I can do to keep the queen from claiming more power. An image of that awful “camp” flashes in my mind, and the reminder of the children in cages sends a surge of anger through me.

Rolling my face into my pillow, I release a muffled scream. I have nowhere to go, so if having a room here is contingent on helping Misha, I don’t know what I’ll do. I just need . . . time. Time to get more information. Time to make my own decisions.

Maybe I can’t spy on Misha, but Sebastian doesn’t have those powers. If I blend to shadow around him, I might be able to get some of the information I need.

I hop out of bed and rush to the door. When I pull it open, Misha’s standing on the other side, his fist raised, as if he’s about to knock.

I cock out a hip and fold my arms. “Why knock? Didn’t you know I was coming to the door?”

Dropping his hand, he tucks it into his pocket. “I’m not a seer.”

“Is that supposed to put me at ease?”

“I don’t try to read your thoughts—well, not every time—but sometimes you shove them out there.” He sighs. “I came to apologize for pushing you. My wife was kind enough to tell me the error of my ways. You’ve been through a lot, and as Amira pointed out, no one in your position would be ready to entertain the idea that they could help fix a problem that, at its roots, is centuries old.”

My shoulders sag. “Thank you.” I’ve never met Amira, but I like her already, not because I trust what she’s saying, but because this is an excuse to buy more time while I figure out who I can trust.

“Where is she—the queen? I’d like to meet her.”

His brows lift in surprise—my interest in his wife seems to please him—but he shakes his head.

“I’m afraid she’s on her way out. She was heading to the Unseelie settlement in the valley for the evening.”

“Oh.” Maybe I can’t trust Misha yet, but that doesn’t change all the good he and Amira have done by bringing the Unseelie refugees here. “Does she spend a lot of time there?”

“A bit.” He shrugs. “You were clearly on your way out just now. Do you need anything? I could escort you somewhere, or your handmaiden could take you if you’ve had enough of my face for one night.”

I crack a smile. I might be bitter and hardened, but I suppose I’m not immune to Misha’s charms.

“Do you have a goblin in the palace? I want to go see Sebastian.”

His eyebrows raise, but it’s the only sign of his surprise. “Why?”

“Well, I’d like to . . .” I bite my lip, trying to think of a good way to explain that I need to gather as much information as I can.

“Ah,” Misha says, cracking a smile. “We call that spying. ”

I glare.

He chuckles. “ Please don’t misunderstand. I absolutely approve.”

“Fine. I want to spy. I want to see what he’s doing now that he’s realized he can’t sit on the throne.”

“He’s taken up residence at the Unseelie palace. He’s managed to get enough of his guard in with him that Finn and his people have . . . evacuated for the time being.”

“Fine, but I want to know what he’s saying when he doesn’t think I’m listening.”

Misha nods. “I’ll send Storm.”

I shake my head. “I need to see for myself.”

He folds his arms. “Have you forgotten that you’re bonded to Sebastian? That he has an awareness of how you feel and where you are at all times?”

“No. I haven’t forgotten. I can’t forget.” I touch my fingertips to my temples. “He’s here.” I press my palm to my chest. “And here.” And I feel him when I curl up in bed to sleep. But I can’t bring myself to admit that part. “You said you could teach me to block—”

“It takes practice. And patience—and a whole lot of energy you simply don’t have right now, but I promise to give you a lesson first thing in the morning.”

He’s right. I haven’t been out of bed more than a couple of hours, and I’m already exhausted and looking forward to climbing beneath the blankets again. But with sleep comes dreams, and in dreams I risk opening myself up to Finn or Sebastian.

“Tomorrow,” Misha says. “After you’ve slept and had a chance to digest what we’ve discussed today, we can practice blocking, but only with the caveat that most bonded pairs can feel each other’s presence more powerfully the closer they are. Even after years of training, you might not be able to spy on your bonded partner undetected.”

I nod. “Okay.” Even if I can never spy on Sebastian, I want to learn whatever Misha can teach me.