Page 38 of Curse of Darkness
“I’ve come to claim something of mine.” Blaedwyn’s voice rings through the throne room.
“Do tell.”
“You’re sitting on it.”
Correction: I need to channel some of her arrogance. It’s barely been a minute since she walked in here, and she’s already making demands of the most dangerous creature I know.
If I have any chance of savoring this moment, I need to speak now. “You promised me two boons, oh Erlking, in exchange for setting you free from the Hallow.”
He stills.
“For my first favor, I have this to ask: I want you to release the Queen of Malagath from her imprisonment. You will see her reinstated as queen of this court, and you will serve her for a year and a day, unless she asks of you a desire to hurt me and mine.”
Shock ripples through the court.
Setting his second boot on the floor, the Erlking leans forward, the ruthless smile slipping from his face as if it never existed. “You want me to release the unseelie queen?”
“Blaedwyn,” I say. “And yes, I wish you to release her—and serve her, unless she makes the slightest move against me and the seelie kingdoms. Then you are free to do as you wish with her.”
Blaedwyn glances at me from beneath her lashes.
Did you really think I was going to be foolish enough to leave a loophole?
“She may not harm you either,” I point out, even as he gives me an incredulous look that seems to say,as if she even could.I hold up my hand, revealing the bloodied slash across my palm. “She has sworn thrice that she will not harm you, imprison you, or order another to cause you injury. She will treat you as her trusted vassal for a year and a day, provided you make no attempt on her life.”
They’ve both given their word to obey—and the price of breaking such an oath is total and utter disgrace in this world.
“Done,” the Erlking says softly.
Pain sears through my wrist: One set of golden antlers is gone.
Payment for the debt has been rendered.
“You have one boon left,” he continues, pushing to his feet and towering over the pair of us. “Mind you use it wisely.”
Blaedwyn stalks onto the dais, her shoulder slamming against his as she takes her seat on the recently vacated throne. Her fingers caress the arms as if she’s luxuriating in the sensation of it again. She’d best not get too comfortable and start considering how to remove the yoke I’ve quite neatly placed around her throat.
“War is coming,” I tell her. “My mother conspires with the goblin horde to break their treaty with Evernight and rise upon us from the north. As my vassal, you will keep them off my back.”
Her brow arches. “We’re hunting goblins now, are we?”
For the first time she seems to realize what vassalage for a year and a day to me will include.
I smile. It’s not my fault she saw an untried queen and an opportunity to slake her vengeance upon the Erlking. No doubt I’ll pay for this year once it’s over, but by then either the threat of the Horned One will be vanquished—or I won’t have to worry about the debts I’ve earned ever again.
“To begin with, yes,” I say. “But don’t forget to keep an eye on the north. The Horned One is turning his gaze south, with all the unseelie forces Angharad and Morwenna can muster between them. When they come, I will expect your host to ride against them.” As she pales, my smile extends. “Perhaps you would be wise not to antagonize the Erlking in the near future, as it seems only he may give the Horned One pause.”
The two of them share another look.
And then Blaedwyn laughs.
“Well, well,” she whispers as her laughter fades. “The little queen of Evernight is learning to play the game.” A nod toward me. “Very well, you have my word. For the next year and a day, Malagath will stand with Evernight. Not a day less. Not a day more. You have my word.” She raises her voice so all in her hall can hear. “Prepare yourself my birds and blades! We have goblins to hunt and a war to prepare for.”
9
“Iswear I nearly shat my pants when you told the Erlking what you wanted of him,” Finn says as we walk toward the Hallow where the Sword of Mourning stands, driven deep into the heart of the slate circle. “I was expecting you to ask him to come north with us.”
“I have you to protect me. I donotneed a capricious old god at my side trying to find loopholes to slip through to renege upon his debt.”
