Or maybe someone had hand-delivered it. No, I thought. Finn would’ve sensed an intruder.
“Fortuna?”
I lifted my head. Emma and Lyari watched me, and though their expressions couldn’t be more opposite, I sensed their mutual concern. I wasn’t sure which of them had said my name—I’d have to remind everyone to stop using it, especially now—but Lyari was standing. Her hand was on her hip, as if she’d reached for her sword. “Sorry,” I managed, holding the envelope up. “I think I just got confirmation that Belanor is awake.”
Lyari strode forward and plucked it out of my fingers. She scanned the information in an instant.
“The invitation means that he won’t attack until then,” she said, giving it back. “And the magic means it’s unlikely that he knows where you are. You haven’t taken that ring off, have you?”
I had for a few minutes at Bea’s, but that hardly counted, right? I shook my head uncertainly. Behind Lyari, Emma glanced at the clock. She nibbled her bottom lip. “I was supposed to start my volunteer shift twenty minutes ago. I’ve got the holy weapons you gave me, and we can send a text to the boys so everyone knows. Will you be all right here, Fortuna? Oh, I know, you could come with me!”
I waved my hand at her and finally left the bed. I hoped neither of them could sense the fear poisoning my insides. “Lyari is right,” I said. “The fae may be evil bastards, but they have their own set of rules and laws. And Ems, remember, we should all avoid saying my name.”
“Right.” She nodded. “Okay, I’ll be back later. Hourly updates, I won’t forget.”
She blew me a kiss and darted out the door. A moment later, Lyari’s form began to lighten. I raised my voice in protest. “Where are you going? We should really talk about—”
“The werewolf is nearby,” she interjected, fading even more. We both heard the outer door slam as Emma left. “I’m staying with a friend in Dublin, and I have some things to do there. I’ll come back if any problems arise. You know how to reach me.”
“Wait, you have other friends?” I demanded, but Lyari finished sifting halfway through. I swore and added, “Don’t forget your hourly check-ins!”
There was no way of knowing if she’d heard; by all appearances, I was talking to empty air. For a moment, I just stood there, frowning. It was no great mystery why Lyari was acting so distant and distracted. To a faerie, there was no worse fate than becoming a goblin. They were lesser creatures. Less intelligent, less beauty, less wealth. But Lyari had months, if not years before that happened. Once things calmed down around here, I would search for a way to stop her deterioration. Maybe there were more spells in Kindreth’s journals.
The silence started ringing, and the sound drew me out of my thoughts. I was still standing there, staring at nothing, and it was then I realized I was wearing yesterday’s clothes. My mouth tasted terrible, too.
I was about to go into the bathroom when someone knocked on the door.
Had Emma locked herself out? Just in case it wasn’t her, though, I rummaged in the nightstand drawer and pulled out Dad’s pocketknife. I hadn’t soaked it in holy water recently, but the blade could still be useful. I tucked it in my sock and crossed the loft, making a sound of reassurance at Hello when she sprinted past.
When I opened the door, I made sure to put my body behind it. I hadn’t lowered my guard, and I would never forget my enemies. Light fell across the figure’s face, revealing who it was in an instant.
Quick as a snake, I pulled my knife from its hiding place, flicked it open, and pressed the edge to Collith’s throat. He stumbled back and I matched him step for step. We went down the first flight of stairs and slammed into the wall. Collith met my gaze calmly, and even though I was wearing the goblin ring, he didn’t seem the least bit fazed.
“What did I say?” I hissed in his face. “I warned you that if we saw each other again, all bets are off.”
The threat had barely left my mouth when Laurie materialized beside us. The stairwell wasn’t big enough for three, and his chest pressed against both of our shoulders. His cologne teased all my senses.
“You’re a target, Fortuna,” Laurie said, focusing on me. His hair was slightly damp, and a strand of it hung over his temple. “Not only does every Fallen creature alive now know about the existence of a Nightmare, but the Seelie King wants you, as well. You’re not part of either Court and you’re an unclaimed female. As far as our world is concerned, you’re fair game.”
“She is claimed,” Collith snarled at him.
“Did you say ‘Seelie King’?” I put in.
Laurie hesitated. Golden sunlight streamed down the stairs, highlighting one half of his face. “Yes, Belanor was formally crowned last night… but that’s beside the point. No one has forgotten Fortuna’s performance during Viessa’s coup,” he added. “It’s also widely known that you’re not the sort to take someone against their will. So your claim probably won’t be accepted. Unless…”
None of us had moved. My left hand was still flattened on Collith’s collarbone, while my right held the knife against his throat. I waited for Laurie to continue, but the seconds ticked past and he just looked at us. “Unless what?” I demanded, exasperated.
Laurie made a sound of matching impatience. “Unless it seems that you’ve reconciled, of course. Also, I have to ask, do you not own a toothbrush?”
The remark rolled off me. I frowned, thinking I must’ve misunderstood the meaning behind that word, reconciled. But the expression on Laurie’s face told me otherwise. My head shook once, an automatic denial. “You mean…”
“I mean, make them believe you’ve taken him back. He may not be king anymore, but he’s still one of the most powerful faeries alive. As it so happens, I just received word of an event that would be perfect for a dramatic statement like this.”
I stared at Laurie again, my eyes wide with disbelief. The opera. He was talking about the opera. Belanor must’ve gotten an invitation to them, too.
My lip curled. I stepped back and finally lowered the pocketknife. To put some space between all of us, I retreated up the stairs. I regained control of my rage to regard Laurie and Collith with the cold calculation they themselves had taught me. “You planned this, the both of you,” I marveled. “Well, isn’t this a Christmas miracle. Sworn enemies, coming together in peace, just to make a fool of the silly Nightmare again. I’m right, aren’t I? Get out. Now.”
Neither of them moved. Laurie heaved a sigh. “Fortuna…”
He shifted closer and started to reach up, presumably to grasp my arms. I pinned him in place with a single look. “If you’re thinking about touching me, you should really only do it with body parts you’re comfortable losing.”
“You know, why don’t I just come back later?” Laurie glanced at Collith, who kept his eyes on me, stone-faced. “Do try not to kill each other while I’m gone. We still need to have that orgy. Oh, and darling? Hate the new face. Depending on an enchanted ring is a horrible plan, which is why you should seriously consider attending the opera.”
He blinked out of sight before I could respond. Coward, I thought, whirling to go back inside. I climbed the rest of the stairs, not bothering to kick the door shut like part of me wanted to. Doors wouldn’t stop a faerie like Collith Sylvyre, anyway. Frustrated by the thought, by the entire situation, I walked toward the liquor cart.