Page 82 of The Princess of Nothing
“You are their rightful queen.” Her tone was clipped. “I will continue to work with Licia to block Xenos’s efforts with the dragons. He has great connections.”
I rolled my eyes. “If you must. He has secrets though.”
She smirked, a look I didn’t see on Morgana often. “I am already aware.”
My interest piqued. “Do tell.”
She tapped the side of her nose. “He will not betray us. I have made certain of this.”
I sighed slowly. “I was hoping to reach out to others too.”
“Who did you have in mind?”
“Well, this isn’t just a battle, is it? I mean, it’s a war, against my cousin and Berovia.”
“I suppose it is.”
“I may need to make a deal.” I scrunched my nose. “With the mer, if I can.”
Snowflakes drifted down, landing on Morgana’s bushy hair. “Is there anyone else you’d like me to reach out to?”
“There are the firedrake warders, but they’re impossible to get ahold of and, according to Cedric, dangerous.”
The corner of her eyes crinkled. “I would like to talk to this Cedric.”
“Why?”
“He is close to you, and a Berovian. Just to get to know him, get a feel for his character.”
“Okay, but I warn you, he has a killer smile.” I smirked. “Smooth-talking too.”
She grinned. “I think I will survive.”
***
Lucien walked throughthe throne room wearing a somber look after talking with Blaise. Niam followed behind with Crawn, looking out of sorts. I wondered what had happened but didn’t have time to ask. We were heading to the town of Fairmont, our new base. I still couldn’t believe what was happening. Morgana said she sent word to someone important but didn’t share who.
Scattered fae clothed in Gothic attire, with jewelry of thorns and berries, watched us enter the center of town. Blaise’s guards, in navy uniforms, marched us to the empty houses. Their thatched roofs desperately needed mending. As we reached the heart of Fairmont, the buildings were made of ancient stone instead. Huddling my fur coat tighter, I licked my frozen lips.
Cedric looked around at the frosty market stalls. “Quite the difference.”
I eyed the bottles of blossomdew for sale. “They like to indulge their senses.”
“No kidding.” Cedric scoffed when we passed a brothel. Fae women, dressed in see-through net, danced behind windows, waiting for men to pay for the pleasure of their company.
“It’s not that I approve,” I said. “I don’t.”
He grabbed my hand. “It’s a place to build an army, and that’s all we need. I can’t believe Blaise agreed to it.”
I chuckled awkwardly. “Yeah, it’s so odd. Also, if you’re in the company of anyone else, it’s probably best to call him His Majesty.”
Cedric rolled his eyes. Back-to-back eateries and inns led to a collection of taller, narrower houses.
“These ones are empty,” I said.
“We can’t fit everyone in here,” Cedric replied.
Morgana rushed to our side, breathless. “Sorry I am late. I was with Licia and then had to send a message to... It doesn’t matter. I’m here.” She flattened her black dress, which had wrinkled during her run. She looked up at the snow-covered stone buildings and their steps that led up to lamp-lit porches.
