“This is a trick,” he whispered. “I won’t fall for your kind’s duplicity again.”

“It’s the truth,” I said. “My brother is violently insane, and the Duke is an extremist of the first order. If they kill the witch, they will be hailed as saviors of my people, and who can say how much harm they could inflict before that aura fades.”

“I’ll hear no more of this,” Aiden said. “Your words are poison.” He made a gesture with his hand, and a second later, I felt the barrel of a gun press against the back of my head.

I didn’t move. “I’ll give you one last chance to reconsider.” But my words landed on deaf ears.

“Do it, de Troyes,” Aiden shouted. “What are you waiting for?”

“You’re making a mistake,” I said, my pulse roaring in my ears. “If we work together, there is hope our people can coexist peacefully.”

“The only chance for peace is with your kind dead!” His eyes were wild. “Fred, this is your chance for revenge for what happened to your sister. Take it now.”

“No.” Cécile’s brother stepped out from behind me, his pistol now leveled at the other man. “I’m sorry for this, my lord, but I can’t let you make this mistake.”

“You are satisfied, then?” I asked, rising to my feet. I’d known Aiden would never agree to my plan, but Fred had needed proof before he was willing to commit what amounted to treason.

He nodded, and I didn’t miss the disappointment in his eyes. He’d believed Aiden a better sort of man than he’d proven himself to be.

Aiden’s eyes widened as he realized that he’d been played. “You’re the one making a mistake, de Troyes. This creature ruined your sister’s life – you said so yourself.”

“I did,” Fred replied. “But I also saw him save her life, and right now, he’s trying to save it again. I believe what he says that the trolls will escape one way or another, and I’d rather ally myself with the best of them than take my chances with the worst.”

“You’ll regret this,” Aiden shouted.

“Maybe I will,” Fred said. “But for now, I’ll be needing your clothes.”

Chapter 52

Cécile

Keeping an eye on the door, I slipped on Sabine’s creation. It was gathered at the bust to give the appearance of more curves than I had. The straps were encased with a gilded mesh that molded against my shoulders, and the skirt hung in a whimsical A-line, feeling light as air against my legs. White feathers trailed from the back, in the suggestion of wings, floating out from behind me as I walked.

It made me desperately wish my friend were here. In all likelihood, she was in the castle and Marie was keeping her from me, but a little bit of doubt chewed at my heart. Tristan would have told her our intention to kill Anushka tonight, and I wasn’t entirely sure how she would take the news.