After a few blocks, we entered a commercial area with many stores adorned with carved wooden signs.
“Just another block.” Cylea pointed ahead.
With the novelty of the city wearing off a bit, my thoughts turned in a different direction. “So… how do you know Kalyll?”
“We all grew up together. My father is a duke, friends with the Spring Court king. Growing up, I spent many summers in Elyndell.”
“So you are all royalty?”
She nodded. “Kryn’s father is an earl and part of the Fall Court Council. And Silver’s mother is a baroness. She is lady-in-waiting to the Winter Queen. Not a job I envy. His father died in battle, so Silver is all she’s got.”
“So, how long have you known each other?”
“If you want to know our ages, just ask, Dani.”
Shit!She saw right through me. I smiled apologetically.
Cylea laughed. “Kalyll is one-hundred and twenty-six.”
I gulped because the male was a hundred years older than me and that made my head spin. Also, because Cylea mentioned the prince’s age and no one else’s. Why would she do that? Her raised eyebrow and crooked grin gave me the answer. She could tell I liked the prince.
Damn, my back-stabbing, traitorous body.
“Um, the Qrorium chains,” I quickly changed the subject, “you didn’t sound very sure about them.”
Her expression grew pensive. “When Kalyll shifts… he’s very strong.”
“Shifts? What do you mean?”
“Oh, he didn’t mention that part?”
“No. Well, he did say he changes, but I thought he was referring to his temperament. He called himself a beast, but I didn’t think…”
“It’s not only his temperament.” She didn’t elaborate. In fact, she tried to deflect by pointing to a dress shop. “Oh, what a lovely gown. I wish we had time to go inside.”
“What does he shift into?” I asked, determined to get my answers.
Her blue eyes narrowed. “You should let him tell you.”
“Why not you?”
“He’s very sensitive about this whole thing.”
“Don’t you think I should know?”
She moved her hands up and down as if weighing something invisible. “There is lots to know, and it’s all very sensitive information.”
“And you all don’t trust me,” I added what she left unsaid.
“I don’t mean—”
“Yes, you do. And it’s fine. I totally understand.” I tried to act like I didn’t care, but for some stupid reason, it hurt my feelings to be left out, to learn that there was another circle within the circle.
She threw her hands up in the air. “It’s not like you don’t know already.”
“Huh?”
“You saw him, Dani.”