Bethan nodded. She walked back to the stove, next to Elnora, who stared at her with shock. She flipped the bacon, biting her tongue not to say anything to Elnora that would provoke her.

‘Have you heard anything from Sam?’

Elnora’s expression stopped, and she moved to the circular dining table and slumped in her chair. She feigned filing her nails.

‘I haven’t spoken to him, but I miss him,’ she answered.

If she had asked that question two weeks ago, she would have believed Elnora’s answer. But knowing that she could conjure and keep up with such extravagant lies, she wasn’t so sure. She thought she knew her friend like the back of her hand. She thought she knew every facet of Elnora’s personality, but she was wrong.

Elnora spun a butter knife by stabbing the table with the blunted point.

Bethan served the plates and was about to call to wake up Circe and Agatha when Elnora asked, ‘Are you sure you can trust Kellan?’

Bethan slammed Elnora’s plate of food in front of her. She cringed at her aggression, but Elnora didn’t seem to notice that it was a display of anger on her part.

Bethan smiled. ‘I trust him more than anyone.’

‘We haven’t known him very long, and you are not the best judge of character, considering you were dating Tharin for three years.’ Elnora scoffed.

Bethan knew what game she was playing. She was trying to drive a wedge between them. Maybe to keep her under the Rennigans’ control. This was too hard to think about. She didn’t want to reply to Elnora and instead let her keep going because it seemed she had plenty to say.

‘If he was from Gaea, I would probably trust him more. But we know that every fae from Zakros is conniving as Hells. My father told me that the Royal Family are all backstabbers. Kellan is probably no different.’

‘I don’t know where this is coming from, considering you liked Kellan and seemed happy about our relationship last night.’

‘I’m happy you’re happy. But I stayed up all night worrying he’s manipulating you and will probably steal the grimoire for his mother when he gets the chance,’ she said sharply.

Bethan glared at Elnora, who laughed.

‘Don’t be upset; I could be wrong,’ she said, throwing her arms up in surrender.

Bethan was too fired up.

‘Need I remind you, Kellan killed to save someone you loved?’ Bethan said in a harsh whisper.

Elnora leant back in her chair; her jaw wide open.

The knock on the door made her jump. Elnora’s mouth snapped shut.

‘Come in,’ she called.

Kellan emerged with Lupo trailing after him. The dog made himself at home and tried to fit in Poe’s cat bed.

‘How are you girls this fine morning?’ he said.

‘Brilliant,’ Elnora murmured, biting into her bacon.