Page 10 of Curse of Thorns
Finally, I give up on sleep and cross the room to the window. I sit on the sill and stare out over the grounds. The view here isn’t as expansive as it was in the Flicker Court. I could see for miles there, the mountains far in the distance and the desert wide open before me. It was lovely. Here, I can see a few hundred feet of Luminescent courtyards and gardens then the edge of the Iridescent Forest, and that’s all. Still, it’s distracting enough that the pressure on my lungs lessens as I breathe the cool air.
Soft snow begins to drift by. The Luminescent Court is quite near the Frost Court, so occasionally, their magic drifts north enough to sprinkle the lands with snow. It’s quite fitting for this element. Lovely white, glistening snow. The two courts are natural allies. As is the Flicker Court for very different reasons.
A distant shout grabs my attention. My breath catches as a guard sprints towards the palace below, pointing up toward my window.
Whoops.
I’d let my guard down, not even thinking about someone seeing me here.
If I used shadows to cover my body, most light fae can’t see me at all. But I didn’t. I let my guard down and they must have seen my form sitting in the window—right next to their prince’s room.
It was not far from here I killed their first prince.
I hastily fix up the bed so it doesn’t look slept in, at least at first glance. Then I march into Rev’s room and slip into the corner I know will remain shadowed even once lights are turned on.
If they flash their Luminescent light directly onto me, they’ll see my unnaturally covered silhouette, but I’m hoping my proximity to a slumbering Rev will keep those chances low.
I don’t know what will happen if I’m caught here, but it’s a complication I’d rather avoid.
Rev
Ijerk awake as someonebusts through my bedroom door. Shouted orders and stomping boots fill the room. Before I can blink the sleep from my eyes, the room is full of guards.
“You can put the weapon down, your highness. We have it under control.”
At first, I’m confused, but then I notice the dagger in my tight fist. Well, I suppose it’s good those reflexes are working correctly.
“Have what under control?”
“There was an intruder seen from the window. We believe the shadow fae has infiltrated the castle.”
My mouth falls open. “And did you catch the intruder?”
“Well, no, sir. Not yet. But we won’t be leaving until she’s found.”
I roll my eyes.Great.
