Page 90 of Throne of Dreams
Maeve straightened, ready to face the one who taught her everything she knew…whose ultimate betrayal nearly ruined her.
The branches of the trees lifted and groaned, revealing her to him. He turned at the sound of the noise and faced her. One trembling step at a time, she made her way to him.
“Maeve,” he croaked.
“Casimir.”
“You look…” His gaze swept over her, over the dress. “Really nice.”
She swallowed. “I wish I could say the same for you.”
He laughed but it was strained and unnatural.
“But the dragon stunt was pretty impressive,” she amended quickly. “How did you know I was here?”
“The real question is,whyare you here?”
Maeve didn’t answer. She didn’t want to tell him she’d gotten into an argument with Tiernan and had accidentallyfadedherself into the Autumn Court. “It doesn’t matter.”
The fox circled between her ankles, then planted himself directly in front of her. He loosed a low growl.
Casimir spared him a glance, clearly unimpressed. “Friend of yours?”
The fox glared at Casimir and bared his teeth. “Yes. I’m pretty sure if I gave him the word, he’d tear you limb from limb.”
Casimir took a step back. “I got lucky finding you here. I’d come to see Garvan and was informed he’d gone to the Summer Court for a celebration. Imagine my surprise to see you by the Black Lake instead.”
Maeve shrugged, dismissing any of his speculations. “I just needed to get away.”
“I understand.”
She eyed him, studied him. But where once she could so easily read the male standing before her, where once it seemed his movements and thoughts were merely an extension of her own, now stood a stranger. “Why were you going to see Garvan?”
“He’s working with the Dark Queen,” Casimir answered coolly, without hesitation.
Maeve angled her head and noted the fact that Casimir now addressed Parisa as the Dark Queen. So much for true love. “And does Tiernan know?”
Casimir’s gaze shifted to his scuffed boots. “I don’t know.”
“You’re lying.”
“I would assume he knows. I’ve caught glimpses of Merrick and his hunters snooping around Spring’s borders.” When he looked upon her again, the lines of his face were deep, riddled with tension and fatigue. “The High King may only guess that Garvan and the Dark Queen are in close confidence with one another. But it’s safe to say he’s fully aware.”
“I see.” It seemed there were a number of things Tiernan was keeping from her. “But why? Why is Garvan working with her?”
Casimir scrubbed a hand over his face, the only part of his body left untouched by a blade. “Because he thinks if he hands you over to her, he’ll get the Spring Court in return.”
Maeve’s brow furrowed. “And what of Autumn?”
“He’d take rule of both. Their plan is to separate Winter from Summer, to divide the Four Courts and force them to kneel.” He shook his head and his rich brown hair fell into his face. “The Dark Court is strong, Maeve. Stronger than anyone realizes.”
She stepped closer to him, the fox on her heels. “Why are you telling me all this, Cas?”
“Because you were right.” His voice cracked, like he’d been broken. And the look on his face—the torment and despair—it caused a devastating ache inside her. Soul deep. “She’s too far gone. Not even I can reach her anymore. There’s no trace left of the faerie princess I once loved.” Then, softer, “She perished long ago.”
Maeve wanted to reach out to him, but she held back and kept her arms locked around her waist. “Do you know what she’s planning?”
“Not exactly.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I fell out of trust with her after helping you escape. But what I can tell you is this…you are the only one who can stop her.”
