Page 77 of Queen of Thorns
Caelynn
“You can’t kill thosebeings. It’s impossible. Fighting against those creatures is what ruined our court to begin with.”
I shake my head. “There were repercussions to that battle. But I have been face-to-face with both of those monsters. I know who my true villain is. It is not the Ruling Courts. It is not Reveln or the High Queen.”
The females’s eyes remain unkind.
“The High Court is not innocent, but we will anger them plenty when we prove them wrong with our power and worth. We can, and we will. Our enemy is the Night Bringer, the Night Terror, and anyone who would align themselves with them. That reminds me—if anyone in this room has made a deal with those beasts,” I lean forward, eyes intent and cruel, “run now.”
Several fae pull in audible breaths, but no one moves.
“None directly,” the book answers my unasked question.
“Good.” I nod. “Another line I will draw now—Drake of the Whirling Court has bargained with the Night Bringer. He is their ally, making him my enemy. Anyone who is working with the Prince of the Whirling Court is by extension the Shadow Court’s enemy. I will not condemn every Whirling Court fae, but I do not trust them. Not now. You mentioned having spies in that court. Who are they?”
“We are not giving you any information,” the female says, crossing her arms.
I quirk a brow. “I can find out on my own if you wish.”
She wrinkles her nose. “Go ahead and try.”
My lips curl into a smug smirk.
“Gareth Humminger. He is a Shadow fae living over the border. Drake has several lines of spies feeding him information and gaining influence on the shadow rebel’s actions.”
“Darren, your wraith leader, did not have anything to do with the wraith attack on the Crystal Court. Prince Drake of the Whirling Court did. He knew of your attack through your friend Gareth.”
The female’s mouth drops open in shock.
“And believe me,” I continue, “Drake did not add to your attack to do you a favor. He did so to increase fear in the ruling courts. He will do it again, and soon. Only this time, on a court that will have no problem retaliating. Do you know what will happen when a court at full power attacks these lands? You called me disloyal, but I see loyalty a bit different from you, obviously. I do not wish to see my people slaughtered, something it seems you are all too willing to accept in your irrational anger. There are several courts who would be happy to demolish the entire Shadow Court. One more large scale attack and that’s where we could be.”
The room remains still as my words sink in. Is it a reality they’d truly never considered?
“And your plan,” the female says slowly, “is to kill immortal beings instead?”
“Yes.”
“It’s impossible.”
“It is not. I know exactly how to destroy them for good.”
“I don’t believe you.”
