Page 2 of The Court of Secrets
Cedric laughed. “I’m only playing with you.” He poked my side, and Adius looked up at the ceiling of the carriage.
“Adius,” I said quickly, wanting to change the subject. “I have a matter I wish to discuss. It’s about Morgana.”
He arched an eyebrow. “What about her?”
“She has barely spoken a word to me since the battle. She refused to join me in the carriage. Has she said anything to you? Should I be concerned?”
He shook his head. “She hasn’t uttered a word to a soul. I’ve been concerned myself.”
My stomach knotted. “I’ll get her alone when we are settled and find out what’s wrong.” I was curious as to whether she was feeling what I was, but that had to be impossible. Something had attached itself to me because I’d died, and she hadn’t. I had spent time hovering in the nightmare between the living and dead. Whatever had been there, it didn’t want to let go of my soul.
I shook my head, fizzling out the dark thoughts, and focused on the present: the importance of my first day as queen.
“Adius, I assume Ada will come to greet me at the front. Vahaga and the lords should be in the audience too.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “Vahaga will be waiting eagerly for an audience with you after you’ve gotten settled.”
I’d have to be alone with him. I had little fond memories of the man. I couldn’t help but frown. The high priest was anything but warm. Still, he had a direct line of magic with the ancestors and was the highest-ranking person at court besides me. “I’ll arrange to meet him, but I want you to do something for me first.”
“Yes?”
“Make sure Cedric gets inside safely.”
Cedric’s gaze flicked to mine. “I don’t need a guard to hold my hand.” His lips curved into a grin. “I promise, I’ll behave.”
“I highly doubt that.” I smirked, but a nervous energy prickled through me. “It’s not you I’m worried about.” I pressed the tip of my finger against the slight dip in my chin. “Lunas are not accustomed to seeing fae, aside from our court ambassadors, but I’m pretty sure most of them have never seen a light fae, except for at the battle.” I moved my hands down to place them on my lap, exhaling slowly as I did. “I’m worried how they may react… initially.”
“Oh, I’m sure once they get to know me, they’ll change their minds.”
“Your optimism is undeserved,” I said with a small smile. “They’re not the most open-minded bunch.”
“Now I know where you got it from,” he teased. “You’ve changed. So can they.”
“We can only hope.”
He nodded. “Well, until then, I’ll blend in the best I can. I don’t want to be the cause of any problems on your first days as queen.”
I choked on a laugh. “I’m not asking you to blend in, Cedric, as if that were possible. You’re the epitome of sunshine, with pointed ears, wings, golden hair, and amber eyes. You can’t believe for a moment you’ll simply blend into our dreary background,” I said incredulously. “I promise, all eyes will be on you.” I paused. “After they’ve looked at their queen, of course.”
“Of course,” he replied.
“Your security is the only thing I’m concerned with,” I explained. “Which is why Adius will ensure you get inside safely.”
Adius’s lips fell into a hard line. “Indeed, it will be obvious he is a light fae. But my job is to ensureyouare safely escorted inside. However, I assure you, Cedric will be taken care of. I have many fine men who will protect him. We won’t have anyone attack him on my watch.” The ferocity in his voice calmed me. Determination and will glistened in his eyes.
We’d slowed into a trot as the drawbridge was lowered. I looked up at the looming, gray castle, with walls so high they appeared to reach into the thick, gray cloud cover. My heart skipped a beat when we reached the courtyard.
Stone pillars surrounded us as we rode into the large gardens. A weathered fountain, encased with glistening frozen drops, housed frosted water and shards of ice. Pulling back the curtain, I held my breath. The door was opened, and a hand of the footman extended. I took it and stepped down until my feet hit gravel. My heart pounded as I took in the audience gathered to meet me. In the eyes of the crowd was worry, for their soldier husbands or sons returning home. The lords of the kingdom had come, their watchful gazes on me. I felt as if I were moving in slow motion, unable to take it all in. They didn’t know yet what I’d done. Not only had their men fought, but the woman too, who had agreed. It was not only sons who fell but daughters too. The hairs on my arms pricked erect as the cold breeze hit my bare skin. My next breath caught in my throat.
Cedric stepped out after me. “The castle is huge. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. It beats the castle even my parents live in.”
I shot him a half smile, but my nerves numbed me. I moved my stare to the windows above, where people were watching.
“You’re pale, sweetheart.” His tone had softened.
“I can hardly breathe,” I admitted quietly.
“You’ll be fine.” Cedric said, stepping out in front of me. He kissed my forehead, then cupped my cheeks, his fingers icy cold against my skin. He lifted his chin, then looked around us. “Most will be glad their true queen is home.”
