Page 4 of Curse of Thorns
And before that, I have to figure out how to enter the Schorchedlands—a feat much harder than assumed.
But for now, the king must accept my voice, particularly in front of the entire court. “Conduct the investigation,” I tell the guard. “We will discuss their punishment in the meantime. However, you can be sure there will be no grace given if it happens a second time. Learn what you can about shadow walkers and how to use our natural abilities against shadow magic. Caelynn is particularly resourceful and powerful. Learn from this mistake anddo notunderestimate her again.”
My father purses his lips, something he does when he’s considering being impressed. He nods his acceptance of my command to the captain of the guard. The captain nods sharply, his shoulders less tense than only moments before. Then, he marches from the hall.
Once the whispers settle down, my father gives an impassioned speech to all in attendance. He announces that everyone in the room is duty-bound never to mention what they saw today. Together, we will defeat thisgreat enemy. Yada yada.
I, however, am eager to be done with dinner, so I can talk to thisgreat enemybefore I miss the chance to see her again.
Caelynn
The guards allow meto exit through the main gates with no more than a few sneers. I simply wink and smile, playing my part. But I do realize they may have known the guard whose head I just presented to the king in an incredibly brutal manner.
If I could go back, I’d have found a more private way to make my point. Like maybe his bedroom in the middle of the night. I’d have loved to make the Luminescent Court King pee his sheets. My smile grows wider.
The patter of rushed footsteps and erratic clinking of metal alerts me to someone approaching from behind. One single guard rushes toward me, and I shift into a defensive stance, but he stops a few feet from me and simply holds out a piece of paper. Wait, no, that’s a napkin.
My eyebrows pull down as I examine the napkin and unfold it.
I hope you don’t intend to leave without paying your old ally a visit.
Remember Raven.
My eyebrows rise and then lower. The strange message at the bottom aside, my lips curl into a surprising smile. It seems the prince wants to see me before I leave. It’s also a relief that he doesn’t seem to be angry with my actions. I did kill a fae from his court, after all.
I pause to consider. I doubt I’d be welcome to just walk into the palace for a chat with the prince, even if he’d invited me.
“Thank you,” I tell the guard then turn and continue my slow walk. I’d had other plans, but now, I suppose I’ll have to alter those slightly. The Queen of The Whisperwood can wait one more day.
***
GETTING THROUGH THEgates of the Luminescent Court was surprisingly easy the second time. I don’t suspect the guards considered I’d leave, just to turn back and hop back through their defenses a moment later. The guards are still reeling from the first “invasion” as I heard them call it and hardly looked up to consider a return trip.
I cover myself in shadow and slip over the white grass, sparkling like glitter dumped everywhere, then past the crystal pond and a maze made of bright white hedges. Everything here is white, scattering sunlight all around. That doesn’t mean there aren’t shadows, though. The open grass is nearly impossible for me to pass by with being noticed, but the hedges leave me just enough shade to blend in.
The palace itself is made of white marble, and the damn thing reflects so much light it hurts my eyes.
