These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows, #1)(79)

“There is a seaside palace then?” I ask.

“Of course. The southern shore is thought by many to be the most beautiful part of the Seelie territory. Rumor has it that the queen’s parents were partial to Serenity Palace.”

“Perhaps that is why she rarely visits,” Tess says.

Emmaline shoots her a sharp look, and Tess bows her head.

“Why wouldn’t she want to visit a place that reminds her of her parents?” I ask. There’s something more than grief here if they aren’t supposed to talk about it.

Emmaline shakes her head. “We wouldn’t know, milady. We’ve only been in her service for ten years. The queen’s parents died twenty-one years ago.”

They exchange another worried glance. I’m sure they know more, but they’re too afraid to say it, and I decide not to push.



* * *



“I have an idea,” I tell Sebastian as we walk through the gardens that night. “Promise you won’t laugh at me?”

The hot day turned cool with the setting sun, and I shiver in my sleeveless sundress. Sebastian tucks me closer to his side, warming me with his body heat. “I suppose that depends on the idea,” he says, grinning.

This morning he told me he’d been away for some important meetings. I think I believe him, but I can’t help but wonder what he thinks about the missing prisoner. I don’t want to believe he truly would’ve killed Jalek, but the uncertainty is getting to me.

“Tell me your idea,” he prods.

“The maids mentioned a beautiful seaside palace that your mother rarely uses. One that sits on the southern shore? I was thinking it might be nice for you and me to get away from all the pressures and demands of the court. To actually spend a couple of days where we can focus on each other.”

He smirks and wriggles his brows. “Oh, really?”

I nudge his side with my elbow. “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.”

“That’s a shame,” he says, chuckling.

“Says the man who barely wants to kiss me,” I tease, and when the amusement falls off his face, I’m reminded that he’s not human. So strange that when we’re alone together it’s easy to forget. “Male, I mean. Sorry.” I cover the awkward moment with a smile.

He sighs. “Man, male, whatever. After two years living as a human, the label hardly matters to me. It was the other part . . .” I frown, not understanding, and he explains. “You think I don’t want to kiss you?”

“Well . . .” I bite my bottom lip, and his eyes follow.

“Half the time I can’t think of anything else.”

“But you don’t,” I say softly, thinking of my conversation with Finn, of his revelation that I do want Sebastian but I don’t want to risk his rejection when he finds out the truth. He was right, even if I don’t want to admit it.

Sebastian smirks. “Can’t you tell I’m playing hard to get?”

I laugh. “Oh, I noticed. Playing at it for two years, it seems.”

He cups my jaw and drags his thumb across my lips. The contact is like the first sip of sparkling wine—sweet, heady, and leaving me wanting more. “Is it working?”

I swallow. “Maybe.”

“You really want to go away with me? Just the two of us?”

“Wouldn’t it be nice to go to a place where there aren’t so many eyes on us all the time?”

“Brie, the reality of my life is that there are always people watching. I’d like to tell you that I can give you anything, but the truth about ruling is that you don’t get a private life.”

And if I’m going to stay with him, this is a reality I’m going to have to accept. That’s the least of our problems, Bash. “Even getting away from the hordes of courtiers would be something,” I say. “I always loved the ocean, and I’d love to see what it’s like in your world.”

His eyes soften, and he presses a kiss to the top of my head. “If I’m honest, the idea of having you to myself for a couple of days is incredibly appealing. Let me see what I can work out. I have to leave first thing in the morning, and I expect to be away all day.”

My heart sinks, but I don’t know if it’s because I’m that anxious to get to the book or because I don’t want him to go away again. “Where do you go this time?”

“We’ve had some trouble at the eastern border.” He frowns. “Our security isn’t what it once was.”

“You mean the camps?” When his expression hardens, I hesitate, but the words are already out there, so I go on. This is too important. “You don’t help them lock up those innocent people, do you?”

“What do you know about the camps?”

“I . . . not much. Just that it’s Unseelie who are trying to escape Mordeus’s oppressive rule and . . . They’re just trying to find a better life, Bash.” I can see in his eyes that there is no way I should know even half that much. “I didn’t believe you would have anything to do with it. I thought you wanted to help people—no matter what court they’re from.”

“Of course I do. But you need to understand that—” He shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. You don’t need the details. Who told you about this?”