Page 5 of Curse of Thorns
It’s beautiful, in a typical sort of way.
I slip into a pantry window, down the hall, and up a wide set of stairs. Two guards stand in front of a familiar hall, but something about them gives me pause. Their muscles are tense, eyes darting around.
I bite my lip and consider.
I’ve been a spy inside this palace once before, and back then, passing through this hall was not a challenge, but that was before a shadow fae murdered one of their princes. Passing through the main gates was not a challenge either.
Would they place their most talented guards at the front gates or the most important? I purse my lips, check that my shadows are wound tightly around me, and then slink forward as quietly as possible.
In an instant, there are crossed swords blocking my path.
“Password,” one of the guards says casually, looking directly at me.
My mouth falls open. Well... that’s unexpected.
Password... I think back to the note. “Raven.”
The swords ring as they slide apart. My eyebrows rise, and I don’t dare drop my shadows as I pass them awkwardly.
I’m in front of Rev’s bedroom door in only moments. I know my way around this place fairly well. I spent three full days hiding out here when I was a teenager.
The Night Bringer, an ancient being that tricked me into a terrible bargain, ordered me to assassinate a prince. If I succeeded, I’d get everything I’d ever dreamed. If I failed, I’d be his slave for eternity.
I had no choice but to comply. Except, when I’d met my mark—the fae I was sent to kill— I couldn’t do it. So, I went to that ball and danced in that same banquet hall I just presented the dismembered head of a fae assassin to the king. I’d danced with the youngest heir of the Luminescent Court, not realizing who he was.
And for those few minutes, while I spun in circles beneath their glittering lights, held in his arms, I forgot my pain. My fear. My confusion. My doubt.
For those moments, I was simply a young fae dancing with a handsome boy who made me feel beautiful. Until I realized who he was.
If I hadn’t figured out Rev was my fated mate, maybe I would have been able to do the deed.
Instead, I hid. I stayed hidden in the shadows of his palace for three days, searching for some escape.
I was alone and freaked out, hiding from my fate.
So, yes, I know more about this place than any outsider should.
I tap on the door.
It swings open quickly, revealing a confused Rev. His lips part in surprise.
“Caelynn.” He blinks. “How did you— “
“Never underestimate a Shadow Court fae.” I wink.
He knows I killed his brother in this palace, but he doesn’t know how much time I spent here. He doesn’t know that I spied on him too, while desperately searching for a way to save him.
I did. I found a loophole that could save his life and keep me from the Night Bringer’s clutches. But it meant killing his brother in his place.
His brother was a sadistic arrogant fool that deserved his fate. I am not sorry for shoving a dagger through his chest. Because of what he threatened to do to me. Because the realm is better off without him as their king. And because by killing him, I outwitted the Night Bringer and saved Rev.
I’m proud of that kill, and no matter how much Rev loved his brother, I can’t stop that from being true. I hate myself for many things, and one of them is that feeling; that sick joy swirling around inside makes me a bad person.
And that’s the reason Rev and I can never be together.
I won the game, but I lost Rev. We lost our life together. Because I’m his brother’s murderer, and that will never go away.
Rev lets me into his room. I shift awkwardly, crossing my arms. I bite my lips as I glance around his bedroom. It’s mostly the same as a decade ago.
