Page 21 of Queen of Thorns
“Cae? I know something else is wrong.”
“The Night Bringer sent us a message.” The words rush from my mouth before I think better of it. “He told me he was going to start taking away everything I care about. And that was minutes before we found out about the shadow rebels and wraith attack.”
“You think this is part of his plan?”
“Kari’s injury was.” Again, her sickening wound flashes into my mind. If it weren’t for Rev’s healing ability, she may have died. I saw it in the healer’s face. They didn’t know how to handle that kind of cursed injury. “And the shadow rebels... well, he wants the High Court to turn against the Shadow Court.”
Ty bumps me with his elbow playfully. “It doesn’t sound like he succeeded.”
I close my eyes and try to calm down—think this through rationally. “No. I suppose not. Not yet.”
“You know how they play, Cae. Moves and countermoves. This was Rev’s countermove, and it sounds like a good one.”
I pull in a long breath. He’s right. It’s a countermove. “It’s a chess match,” I mutter.
“You’ll never win if you begin to fear the game. Even if you don’t want to play, it’s important to keep focused.”
I want them dead.I hold on to that anger. It’s a weight that keeps me grounded. Hope is a new feeling, one I’m unsure how to maneuver.
Rev is placing something I desperately want right in my lap, and I’m afraid that will derail me from my war against my nightmare. I can’t let that monster live, even if it means sacrificing the Shadow Court.
“What’s your next move?” he asks.
“Take a walk outside,” I say.
Ty smirks, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Can I join you?”
I nod quickly and allow Ty to hook his arm in mine. Part of me feels nervous to be near Ty, like I’m only making his risk higher, but I also recognize the need for a kind council. He’s very good at advice. We walk down the hall and out some side door I wouldn’t have known about. Guards lets us pass without question which seems—odd.
“You know your way around here,” I note as we twist around a pathway and into a small garden, following the lavender and white stone pathway. We are in the castle courtyard, surrounded by mile-high crystal walls of varying colors.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time here.”
“With Kari?” I ask, voice pitching high.
He smiles again. “Not like that,” he chides. “We are making plans to merge our courts.”
“Really?” I stop, shocked at this news. “That’s fantastic.” Lesser courts have fewer rights and privileges than High Courts. The Crumbling Court broke away from the Crystal Court due to fae rights issues. The dwarves were not treated well under Crystal Court rule, and the Crumbling Court was formed to create a safe place for them. But being a citizen of the lesser court automatically makes you considered lesser in our world. Merging the two courts would have a big impact on the fae in the Crumbling Court, like Ty.
“Kari is working toward a treaty that would keep the Crumbling Court council but make them an official part of the court. As well as a law that would ensure equal rights for dwarves and other fae species.”
“That sounds amazing.” A chill washes down my spine with a rush of renewed affection for Kari.
He nods again, his cheeks turning red. “She promised me a place as an advisor when she takes her mother’s crown.”
I suck in a surprised breath, more chills, the hair on my arms stand up straight. I’m used to those things as fear responses, but this.... this is pure joy. I turn and wrap my arms around Ty’s large middle. “I’m so happy for you.”
“And I’m happy for you too, you know,” he says against my shoulder.
Then, I release him just as quickly and keep walking, maybe faster than I should.
“We’ve done all right,” Ty says, rushing to keep up with me. “After the trials.”
I allow a small smile. “So far.”
“If anyone can do this, Cae, you can.”
I swallow but say no more until we’ve curled all the way back around the courtyard, and I push my way back through the door into the palace. I stop suddenly, noting the confusion on Ty’s face. “I’m really proud of you, Ty. You’re going to do amazing things.” I squeeze his arm affectionately.
