Page 124 of Queen of Thorns
“I was pissed,” she says, her eyes cast to the ground. “But eventually, they learned to treat me like an equal, not something to herd and control.” She shrugs.
I resist the urge to lecture the fae about treating people—even weaker people—with respect. I don’t want to overstep on relationships I really know nothing about.
“And you decided it was a good idea to wake an ancient king without anyone knowing?” I quirk a brow at Blane. He’s the one who completed the spell.
Blane purses his lips. “In hindsight...” He shakes his head. “We should have done it differently, but at the end of the day, how do you beat a monster?”
“Release a bigger monster,” Aurora answers.
“And you did it,” Raven says in awe. “You leashed the Ancient King of Light?”
“I leashed nothing,” I say, breathing out through my nose. “But yes, we have the Ancient of Light on our side. He doesn’t like being called a monster or a beast, and no one could ever leash him.”
“He is an ally,” Rev adds. “He will respect you so long as you respect him.”
“But he is capable of squashing you like a bug if he wants to, so don’t be a jerk.” I cross my arms.
“Noted,” Blane says. His arm hangs over his raised knee, his chin high. I watch him for a moment, unsure what to make of him. He looks so much like his brother, a fact that gets under my skin.
He has bright amber eyes full of cunning. He is proud and pretty and intelligent. All of the things I’d expect from a Whirling Court prince. All of the things that make me not trust him.
Is he truly an ally, or do I need to maneuver around him like I would Drake? Placate but watch at all times for the moment he will inevitably turn against us?
I shift my gaze away from Blane, if only because I don’t want him to notice me watching him.
The ground rumbles beneath our feet in what sounds suspiciously like growls.
Kari frowns and stares down at the bouncing pebbles. “What is that?”
“There are tunnels below us,” Ty says. “Are those the tunnels the Shadow Court used to attack the Twisted Court?”
My eyebrows rise. I’d forgotten the Twisted Court and the Shadow Court had history. This forest is renowned for being a fortress. No strangers can travel here, and there is only one major settlement in this court—smack in the middle of the forest. Only two courts have ever successfully waged battle against the Twisted Court.
The Flicker Court, who burned a quarter of the forest down several centuries ago. And the Shadow Court, who used tunnels to reach the city. Neither have been forgotten by the forest dwellers.
“It’s been doing that for a week straight,” Aurora answers. “It’s been making the court really nervous, the rumbling.”
“Wraiths are gathered in the tunnels below,” the spell book whispers.
“It’s wraiths. Maybe they’re just there to sow doubt against the Shadow Court. Or maybe the Night Bringer is planning something.”
“He’s hurt though, right?” Kari says.
“He’s licking his wounds. It should be safe for the night. Tomorrow... tomorrow, he may come for you.”
“I don’t know what he’ll do. But I know the Night Bringer won’t let this go.”
“What do we do then?” Raven asks.
I shrug. “Find a place to stay for the night. He won’t attack just yet.”
Raven groans. “So, more camping out here?”
I snort at her complaint. Apparently, they’ve done this a lot.
“More camping,” Blane says with a sharp nod.
“That sounds pleasant,” Ty comments.
