Page 145 of Trial of Thorns
Rev’s father slams his hands on the table and stands. “That’s ludicrous,” he hollers. Again, the queen shoots him an angry stare. Just one look is all it takes. He sits and puffs out his chest, composing himself. “She won’t be safe here. Do you know how many people still desire her death?”
“Like you?” I spit.
He narrows his eyes at me but doesn’t respond.
“He is correct, you may not always be safe in the fae realm. But I suspect you will do well inside the shadow lands. What do you think, Caelynn?”
My mouth falls open. “I can go back to the shadow lands?”
“They will take care of you, I am sure.”
This is not at all what I’d expected. Raven squeezes my hand suddenly, and I realize the problem with this offer. “That is... very generous of you. I am honored, truly.” I turn my attention to Raven. “But I don’t think I can leave her alone. Not right now.”
“If you had won? Would you have left her then? Or would you have brought her into the Schorchedlands with you?”
“Of course not! If I’d won, I would have done my duty. We’d talked about that already.” Raven nods somberly at my words. “But I didn’t. I don’t get the rewards, I shouldn’t also get the punishment.”
“Well said. You may go home with your human, if that is your wish. But you may also enter the fae realm as you wish until otherwise declared. I will announce your protection under my name until the time the cure is found. However, even my reach is not powerful enough to keep all enemies from you. You will do well to keep our Lord of the Luminescent Court’s warning in mind. You may have made an ally of the Luminescent heir—“
Rev’s father coughs and curls his lip in disgust.
“But you still have enemies,” the queen continues. “Enemies who may deem the consequences worth the reward of your death.”
I nod.
“You may leave, Caelynn of the Shadow Court.”
I bow my head and then pull Raven back up the stairs and out of the hall.
Rev
Caelynn comes rushingfrom the banquet hall, the human girl tucked under her arm protectively.
She freezes the moment she sees me, waiting just outside the doors. “Rev.” Her voice is soft.
“That was quite a scene you created yesterday.” I shake my head, unable to meet her eyes. Am I still supposed to hate her? I don’t know.
