Page 67 of Crown of Briars
“Can you?” Tislora’s voice was filled with amusement.
In spite of the situation, my mouth twitched with the hint of a smile. “Well, perhaps not. But I’d wagereveryonehas trouble finding their way in this castle.”
“True,” Tislora said.
I watched her stir the contents of the cauldron again. The steam had dissipated, but the room was still sweltering. It didn’t seem to affect Tislora, who wore her usual black robes that fell down to her wrists and gathered along the floor like the train of a wedding gown.
Enzira appeared in the doorway, and her face paled when she noticed me. “My lady.” She pressed a fist to her chest and hurried over to me, gently grasping my elbow. “Your room. Please.”
I nodded. “Yes, I’m sorry. I got lost.” I let her guide me out the door. Just as we reached the hallway, Tislora’s voice floated after us.
“See you at the revel, human.”
Enzira wassilent as she led me up another spiral staircase. We climbed all the way to the top, and only then did I remember my chambers were on the highest level of the castle. I glanced upward at the dome-shaped ceiling, which revealed a fuchsia sky with the setting sun. Already, the Umbra Mist was creeping closer toward the window as if it could sense the light was fading.
Enzira took me down the hall toward the queen’s suite, and I said in Agnarrish, “You didn’t tell me there was a revel happening tonight.”
Enzira cut a gaze at me, her dark eyes wary. “I didn’t think I should. Revels can be dangerous and… shameful for humans to witness.”
Shameful?I frowned. “But if I’m to live among the unseelie, shouldn’t I experience things like this, since it’s a part of your culture?”
Enzira’s lips pressed together in a thin line, covering up her fangs. “Perhaps,” she said, but she sounded uncertain.
We reached my chambers, and Enzira strode inside, then held the door open for me. She eased it almost all the way shut, then turned to face me.
“I’m assuming you’ve told the king I can speak your language?” I asked, trying to keep the sharpness out of my tone.It wasn’t her fault the king had lied to me, and I couldn’t blame her for being loyal to him.
But to my surprise, Enzira shook her head. “No.”
My eyes widened. “Why not?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “It was not my place to tell. I amyourmaid. Not his.”
I blinked at her, astonished.
She offered me a small smile. “Did you think I was spying on you?”
“A little,” I admitted. “And honestly, I wouldn’t put it past Varius to spy on me.”
Enzira’s brows knitted together. “Why do you say that?”
I gave her a cautious look, unwilling to give too much away. How much did she know?
Understanding lit her features. “You mean the Necro Shadows.”
My pulse quickened. “What do you know of them?”
“I know that’s why you’re here. That’s why all the humans come.”
I let my hands fall against my thighs in frustration. “So I am thelastone to know the true reason for me being here?”
“Can you blame us for keeping it a secret?” Enzira asked. “If we had told your people why we needed human brides, would they have consented?”
I fell silent at that, because the truth wasno. My father would have flat-out refused. Shaking my head, I argued, “But it’s still deceitful. Varius has led my kingdom to believe he would use his own shadows to slaughter us if we did not comply.”
“Does the agreement say that?”
“Of course not. Fae can’t lie. But the implication is there.”
