Page 105 of The Court of Secrets
“More evidence to how I did the world a favor by removing him from it.”
He nodded, and I exhaled shakily. My stomach churned, reminding me I still needed to eat. It had been a long night. As we left the beach and stepped back into the chilled carriage, something Morgana had said to me when I was a child sprung into my mind; if it sounded too good to be true, then it probably was. Was having it all reaching too far? Or just reaching enough?
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
I awoke to screaming and shouting traveling up the hallway. I bounced out of bed and rushed to the door, the icy cold floor shocking me through my bare feet. I threw open the doors, and four guards stood in my way. “What’s happening?”
“We’ve been ordered to keep you inside.”
“By whom?” I demanded.
“The king.”
“Can you at least tell me why?”
One looked to the other, hesitance on his face. “A group of faeries from the south attacked the castle an hour ago. They breached the walls and defenses.”
“Why did they attack?”
“They were trying to free the others.”
Understanding washed through me. “The feral fae.”
“I’ll alert the king of your being awake.”
“Oh.” I looked at their swords with a smirk. “You’re not going to keep me in here. I’m the queen of my own kingdom, and your king’s word can’t control me.” I stepped back and closed the doors.
After several minutes of trying to pull on my own dress, the doors opened and Nissa stepped inside. “Your Majesty.”
“Nissa. Do you know any more of what happened? I wanted to go downstairs, but I can’t tie these back.” I groaned as I tried to pull the strings on my corset. Nissa took over, worrying her fingers with the ribbons.
“There were like fifty of them. They were awful. Their eyes were so black.” She shuddered and blew out a tense breath. “One of Kiros’s men was really hurt, and one of ours, but don’t worry, they’re being healed. The solises actually helped, using their magic. Fire magic is pretty impressive. I never know—”
“Where was Blaise during it?” I was mad at myself for sleeping through it. I rarely slept so late, but last night’s journey back to the castle from seeing the mer king had exhausted me.
“He was fighting them. It hurt him to do it; I could see it in his eyes. He has loads of them hoarded away in his dungeon though. It’s a little creepy.”
I winced when she pulled the strings tight. “I know why he’s doing it,” I said, a tad breathless. “He’s trying to reunite them with their humanity.”
“That’s actually kind of sweet.”
I smiled. “It is. So are they all gone now?”
“Blaise had to leave to one of the neighboring towns. He took most of the soldiers and guards with him. He wanted to capture as many of them before they got too far.”
I inhaled deeply as she tied a knot at the top of the corset. She helped me finish dressing, then moved around to face me. Her eyes crinkled when she smiled. I’d gotten so used to having her around, I’d forgotten she was once my enemy. “I wanted to come to you sooner, but they wouldn’t let me in each time I came.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Warning.” She grinned. “Mai was planning on coming up too.”
“She doesn’t need to. I’m leaving. I have business to attend.”
“Do you think it’s safe without Blaise here?”
I rolled my eyes. “I doubt the feral fae will return with him chasing them down. Besides, our people are here, and so are the solises. We have magic.” An uneasy feeling settled over me. We did have magic, and it was torturing the people we’d loved and lost with each spell. I licked my dry lipsand sighed. “Nissa, I need to talk to you about something. In fact, bring Mai and the new girl here.”
Concern guided her tone. “I’ll get them right away.”
