Page 77 of A Sword of Ice
“I was twelve when my parents were taken from me by the emperor’s soldiers,” she began. “Shortly after, I met an old human woman who gave her life for my own and found Piriguini’s Circus for the first time. It’s where I stayed hidden, where I was betrayed, and it was where the soldiers found me again ten years later.”
She spoke and Iona was hypnotized with her every word. Within the next few moments, Shula Azzarh painted a picture of what life had been like at the circus, about what it had been like to be betrayed by a human named Fanny who had once been her friend. She spoke about a mysterious Brotherhood and their catacombs, about the sigils on their floors that matched the ones on their own backs. About water that burned down her throat like fire, rituals, robes of white and red.
Then she spoke about meeting the Resistance. About being held against her will by them. At that, Iona couldn’t help but throw a glare Prince Valerio’s way, for the blatant disrespect they’d all so obviously shown Shula when she’d been little more than scared and clueless herself.
But Shula kept talking. About Orna and Des, and her friendship with the two mismatched mates, Fae and human.
“They loved each other,” Shula whispered, and Iona could see the tears glistening in her eyes that she refused to let fall. “Anyone with eyes and a soul could see that.”
Iona’s hand went up to cover Julius’ on her shoulder. She may not have had love, but she knew one day soon she would. With him.
“Then they died.” Shula’s words were cutting, full of pain and rage in equal measure in such a way that Iona could feel them glide down to her own soul. Her magic hummed and vibrated, and her heart pounded as Shula continued.
There was more, so much more to their journey that Iona hadn’t even realized or thought of beyond those first moments they’d met. Even now, it was hard to fathom that they’d gone to Tir na Faie and had survived.
For a moment, she was heartbroken to hear that her home really was what all the whispers claimed to be. They’d gone to the Jade Court, just past the Herria Mountains, now known as the Iron Mountains, its name lost in time because of the humans. Her home was reduced to little more than a deadly trap for all Fae who entered.
Then she spoke of The Seer, a creature trapped between the iron bars of their own cage and the prophecy they spoke.
“We’re a direct tie to Mana,” Shula explained. “We are the pillars of the magical balance in the world, all of us Fae connected by invisible threads. Our lives are tied to Mana’s, and we are an essence of Mana. The Emperor of Illyk wants to find us all and use us to sever the threads and wipe us all out.”
Shula was looking at Iona expectantly. Like all of this information should shock her. Like she should have been appalled, doubled over and gasping.
Iona merely stood there, gnawing at her bottom lip, her fingers tapping against her thighs. She only stopped when she felt Julius’ hand cover her own; her breathing and pulse steadied as his presence settled her completely.
“So George was fucking right.”
Shula blinked.
Behind her, Julius’ chest rumbled. “Who the fuck is George?”
Iona sighed and stared up at the sky. She had visited George quite a few times for favors and things, and each time he’d spoken to her of prophecies and conspiracy theories that he pulled from deep in his web of connections. Of the Fae, of the camps, of theemperor…
“George is my supplier,” she explained. “He forged paperwork for me in case I ever needed to flee Teg.” She held them enraptured with attention. “I’m not entirely sure what his magic is, but he has connections everywhere and was always spewing what I assumed were conspiracy theories, but now I know they make sense.”
“What are you talking about?” Prince Valerio questioned, dark brows pulled together.
“The Emperor of Illyk isn’t real.”
Shared shock rippled through her companions.
“I know it’s hard to believe—”
“It’s fucking impossible to believe,” Uric cut in with a glare. “What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Have you ever seen the emperor?” Iona countered. “Hasanyoneever seen him?” When no one spoke, she crossed her arms against her chest. “Exactly. He’s little more than a fairy tale that has been whispered about for two-hundred years. Humans don’t live that long, but do you know who does?” She stared from face to face, watching as realization started to sink in. “Yeah, the Fae.”
“Wait a minute, back up.” Clay held his hands up, looking confused, and with good reason. He’d been confused when she’d heard the story, too. “What do you mean?”
“There are rumors spreading through George’s dark web of secrets that the Emperor of Illyk isn’t real. In the sense that he’s what he says he is. He’s been whispered about for years, passing decrees about the Fae, though no one knows where he lives, no one has seen him… There have been no ascension ceremonies to crown any new emperors… Because there aren’t any. The web thinks he may be Fae.”
Uric snarled. “What nonsense—”
“Oh, shut up,” Iona snapped. “It’s a theory.”
“A stupid theory.”
“You were raised in the reservations.” Prince Valerio turned, regarding Shula. “Have you heard of this before?”
