Page 57 of Curse of Thorns
Caelynn
Raindrops begin tofall, sending water streaming down my arms, chilling my body. Kari and Tyadin left me not long ago to head back inside and say their proper goodbyes, but I’m not alone long. Footsteps approach slowly and then stop a few feet away.
“Pathetic creature.” The Luminescent Court’s King’s voice chills me. “I hear my son has finally ventured to the Schorchedlands.”
My eyes flit up to his. His expression is blank. How would he know what Rev is doing? He wasn’t even supposed to know he hadn’t been able to enter.
His silver eyes shine, and his lip quirks like he’s fighting a smile. I shiver, eyes locked with his, panic filling me. Something is wrong with this fae. Something... isn’t right.
My heart starts pounding harder.
“I’ll certainly glad to be rid of the bastard.”
I grimace but don’t speak.
“I’m surprised by your reputation. I expected you to be a much more challenging opponent. The only fae to ever outsmart the Night Bringer.” He shakes his head, and I leap to my feet, hands in fists.
He laughs harder, and a soft glow appears between us. He’s blocking me from attacking him. My chest heaves. He knows. How much does he know? My eyes flit over him then stop dead on a thorn tattoo on his wrist.
My blood runs ice cold, my vision tinges with black. I barely hear his condescending tone as he continues talking to me. I don’t need to hear his words; I already know what happened.
“Only a few of us know, of course. But those with any knowledge of the ancient being can tell. That power of yours? That magic you showcased during the final trial? Like flaunting it in his face. You weren’t supposed to get away, did you know that?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice is hoarse. But I do. I know exactly what he’s talking about.
For these few moments, I’m back there. A terrified teenage fae, trembling in that ancient beast’s presence. He made me think he was down one cave so that I’d flee straight toward him in another.
He likes to make one think they’re in control. He likes to herd fae. Scare them in one direction only to find out that’s exactly where he wants them.
“Anyway,” the king says offhandedly. “You were easier to manipulate than I expected. The Night Bringer has plans for the boy, and I have mine. Both of them are nicely achieved by him entering those cursed walls. We were all quite miffed when the wall refused to allow him entrance. I’d wondered if another ancient was in play and altered the magic of the gates, but once he saw how close you two had gotten, our master figured it out for himself and sent me to do what I do best. Hurt Reveln. And oh, how you helped so nicely.”
My mind spins, vision blinking black.
Our master.
“He’s not my master,” I spit.
He chuckles. “Just because you can’t see his chains on your wrists doesn’t mean you’re not playing on his team.”
I swallow.
“I still hate you for what you did to my true heir.” He spits into the fresh snow between us. “Reahgan was my son. My heir. The perfect legacy. And you stole him from me.” He heaves in a huge breath. “But time dulls the sting.” He lets the breath out. “Now, my only desire is to destroy the changeling living in my true son’s place.”
“You could just expose the truth about him.” I cross my arms. “Instead, you’d do the bidding of that creature?”
He chuckles. “Sometimes, you must take terrible allies to get what you desire. Rev understood that when he took your side. You didn’t really think he cared for you, did you? You’re a convenient ally and easy on the eyes. Any affection you think he holds was only the bond magic. I did you a favor. He was never going to take you as a bride. You’re not worthy of him, and he knows it.” He laughs. “And that’s coming from me! I hate him and still know he’s better than you.”
My stomach twists.
“Doesn’t matter, though. You’ve helped ensure his death. For that, I should thank you.” The look in his eye tells me he most definitely does not feel grateful.
“You underestimate him.”
“Oh, no, sweetheart. He might have been able to retrieve the cure—if that were even a thing.” He shakes his head, chuckling darkly.
“What does that mean?”
“It means, my lovely pet.” My knees almost buckle at those words. I shake my head, tears of frustration in my eyes. “That this game is much larger than the scourge.”
