Page 55 of Queen of Thorns
“Sorry to bother you,” a soft female voice calls, “but there are visitors from the Crackling Court looking for you.”
I curse under my breath. I’d forgotten about the Crackling Court workers sent to build a portal.
Caelynn chuckles, pushing her lips against my shoulder, and then slipping from my hold. “We’ll be right out,” she calls.
My heart is still pounding and my body still buzzing. I grab her and kiss her fiercely, pulling her against my chest. “We’ll finish this later,” I promise against her lips.
“Yes, we will.”
#
THE TWO CRACKLING COURTfae are in a waiting room near the main hall.
“Apologies,” the yellow-haired fae says with a bow. “We couldn’t make it through with the carriage due to the crowds.” His eyes linger on Caelynn, eyes wide, then they dart to the floor. “We had to come on foot.”
“Not a problem,” I answer. “We should apologize too. We’d honestly forgotten about the portal in all the excitement.”
“Yes, it was rather intense,” the taller fae says. “I feel honored to have witnessed it if I am honest.”
I grin.
“That’s kind of you to say,” Caelynn answers.
The queen enters the meeting room and smiles; her eyes are dull, though. It’s rather late by this point. “There was something you needed?”
“Yes,” Caelynn says sweetly. “The Crackling Court has come to build a portal to their capital. Would you help us with that? Is there a designated place? An old, unused portal somewhere?”
The queen’s eyebrows rise. “You consistently surprise me, Caelynn.”
She smiles. “You can thank Rev for this one.”
“I suspect the Crystal Court will not be far behind,” I say.
Caelynn laughs. “Kari will be angry she wasn’t the first.”
“And the Luminescent Court?” the queen asks cautiously.
I still. “That ... will be unlikely.”
Her eyebrows rise. “Oh?”
“I may have forgiven Caelynn for her past actions, but my father most certainly has not and never will. The people of my court are also unlikely to forget any time soon.”
“I see.”
“One step at a time,” I offer. The Shadow Court already has more allies than anyone would have expected.
“Indeed. One step at a time.”
“Did you have a place in mind, your Highness?” the tallest of the Crackling Fae interjects.
“Yes, I will show you to the old portals. There may be something you can use there, but let’s do that in the morning. It’s late.”
