Page 32 of Infernal Bonds

Two matching loveseats enclosed the sitting area around a coffee table covered in little dishes of desserts and mini sandwiches. A small carafe held what looked like sweet tea, but given our location, I doubted it.

“Have a seat,” Amra said, motioning to the loveseat to her left. “You remember Rinlora?”

How could I forget one of the people responsible for locking me in a cage?

I forced a smile. “I remember.”

“She is my assistant and will be with me during our meetings.”

Goodie.

Rinlora looked down at the table before meeting my gaze again. “I want to apologize.”

“Come again?”

“We didn’t know the truth about your identity or the gravity of the situation when we took you into custody. We acted on the knowledge that the princes were missing and found in your home where we could not get to them thanks to—”

Amra put a hand on her knee to stop Rinlora from rambling. She’d started getting louder and faster with every word as if she couldn’t control her anxiety.

“I’m sorry. Roandra might not like you, but I don’t have a reason to think you’re a bad person.” Rinlora dropped her gaze, mumbling, “I only wanted to protect the princes.”

I sank back against the cushions. “Yeah, I get it. I don’t gotta like it, but I get it. At least you didn’t kill me, right?”

Rinlora’s nervous laughter made me shake my head.

“It was a joke.”

“Right.” Another nervous laugh. “I’m sorry.”

It seemed I’d gotten her all wrong. When she showed up in my kitchen with her sister and brother, she’d been so composed and refined. Was it because she had her siblings by her side?

Amra picked up a glass filled with the honey-brown liquid from the table and took a sip. “Please, help yourself to anything on the table.”

I didn’t want to appear rude, so I grabbed what looked like a slice of cucumber from the platter closest to me and took a bite. Yeah, cucumber.

Rinlora poured a glass and extended it to me.

“Thanks.” I took a sip. “Tea?”

“Yes! I infuse it with both sugar and pressed berries.”

It tasted similar to my sweet tea, though not as sweet, with a crisp raspberry aftertaste.

“I want to start this by saying whatever you learn here is not to get back to the council,” Amra said, putting an end to the pleasantries.

Rinlora sat back and fell silent, folding her hands in her lap.

“As far as anyone outside of your home and those in this room are concerned, you are here to learn about our customs for the ball. But as I hope Ezra has informed you, I wish to help you learn about Elyrdin, our history, and customs, and to give you a proper chance at success.”

“I don’t intend to embarrass your son,” I said, unable to keep the bitterness from my tone. I braced myself for the awful feeling that crawled all over me during dinner last night.

“This isn’t to protect anyone’s image, Raelynn.” Amra placed her glass on the table. “This is to protect you.”

I glanced from Amra to Rinlora. Neither of them looked as if they were joking.

“There has never been a situation like this before,” Amra continued. “We’ve never heard of a being born on the human plane needing to cross planes into Niemna—a hidden Shyrlivi at that. To have that same being bound to four royal heirs as their Nyrith adds another layer of uncertainty that none of us understand.”

Rinlora nodded.