Page 147 of The Witch in the Dead of Night

“Maxence told me everything,” said Niamh.

“And I heard it from Enhart,” Vesper added.

“What exactly did he tell you?” I asked.

“That you were cursed by a witch and compelled to make an attempt on his life,” she explained, cocking an eyebrow. “What he didn’t tell me is what the King did to you.”

I dropped my voice to a whisper, rushing through my explanation of everything that had come to pass since I left Valnar. Time was not on our side, so I glossed over the details of our journey to Hollybrook, the wightgasts, and the witches.

When I told them about Mordric’s plans for me, Niamh clapped a hand to her mouth. Vesper leaned toward me, her silver irises flashing. “That wretch. This is exactly like him, you know. Has to keep everyone under his thumb.”

“You can’t say that,” Niamh interjected, her eyes wide.

“I can,” Vesper snarled. “How can you stand to be with him after everything he’s done to you, Finn?”

I winced. I wanted desperately to tell them the truth. To reveal to them that it was just a ruse. But I wouldn’t dare put them at risk. “Niamh is right,” I said instead. “You can’t say that. Not here.”

The vampiress hissed, crossing her arms over her chest. I could only imagine what kind of feelings this brought up for her after what she’d told me about her betrothal. Beside her, Niamh shifted nervously in her seat, her eyes flicking between me and the guards.

“There’s more. I, er, kissed Enhart.”

Niamh gasped so loudly that the guards spun, prepared to skewer me on the edge of their swords, no doubt. Vesper’s scowl fell instantly. She waved away the guards like they were bothersome flies. They retreated obediently to their posts.

“Vengeance is delicious, isn’t it?” Vesper purred, flashing the diamond embedded in her right fang. “I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”

I dropped my head into my hands. “It wasn’t vengeance,” I murmured. “I was possessed.”

“How did the King react?” Niamh pressed. “He must have been upset.”

I shrugged. “I wasn’t there when he found out.”

“Thank the gods,” Vesper interjected.

“Well, that’s a relief,” squeaked Niamh. “Is he taking you to, well, wherever you’re headed?”

I shook my head. “He said that Enhart would be going with me instead.”

Vesper clapped her hands together. “Delightful.”

“Don’t,” I groaned.

“There’s so much the two of you could get up to on your own,” Vesper teased.

“I’m never telling you anything again.”

The vampiress squealed with laughter.

I cleared my throat. “Besides, Enhart doesn’t feel that way about me.”

“That remains to be seen,” she replied simply. Heat seared my cheeks.

“Well, wherever you end up,” interrupted Niamh. “You’ll have to promise not to miss the wedding.”

I glanced up at her, my brow furrowed. Her lips spread into a wide smile.

I shot to my feet, throwing my arms around her. “Congratulations,” I cried, my eyes stinging.

She squeezed me back. “Thanks.”