Page 49 of The Court of Secrets
“When do I start?”
I smiled widely. “Right now, Nissa. If you’re successful, I will ensure you will be well compensated with land and coin.”
“Ladies can’t own their own land.”
I cocked my head. “Yet, I, a lady, own all the land in this kingdom.”
“True.” She smirked, her words carrying in the breeze. “You do.”
“I will allow for you to own your own land, making a special dispensation, and eventually abolish the ridiculous law once I have enough leverage.”
“I’ll assume that’s where I come in. For leverage.”
“Good. You catch on fast. I need you to get dirt on the lords, their children, sisters, brothers… it doesn’t matter. Anyone in positions of power. Do what you must. Right now, it’s their votes against mine, and I can’t pass anything.” I gritted my teeth. “Their views on my being a woman and being able to rule are abhorrent. Apart from Edur, none of them will give me a chance to change anything.”
“Everyone has secrets in this court.” She smirked. “And I will dig them up.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
My heart pounded as I was escorted into the ballroom for the masquerade ball, to welcome the fae to court. It was unrecognizable under the silks in silver and white. Snow appeared to fall from the ceiling but never land, a glamour. Florence must have had help from a faery or two. Branches reached out along the walls, like fingers grappling for the long oak tables covered in silk cloths of glacier blue. It appeared as a winter wonderland, reminding me of Niferum, which was where I was sure her inspiration had come from. Even the glass flutes were frosted, carried on clear trays by servers dressed in dark-fae-inspired fashion. Net pointed out in different directions as if it had been torn from the skirts of the women’s dresses, which had beaded tunics woven with dark red. The men wore navy-blue, black, and silver tunics.
I spotted Florence. She wore a silk gown that pooled around her feet. Fake, glistening wings were fastened to her back. She smiled as she walked toward me, holding a flute. Her painted nails shimmered purple, matching her violet eyes. “Your Majesty.” Her blonde hair was tied back, showing off her high cheekbones and flawless skin. “You’re too pretty.” Her eyes flicked down toward my dress, then back toward mine. She fingered her matching necklace. “You look like your brother more and more with age. You’re about to turn nineteen, right? That’s how old he was when we first met, before we started dating.”
I smiled as I held her words close to my heart. He and I did share the same sharp features and hooded blue eyes, but that was it. I never saw him when I looked at my reflection, but it was nice to hear. “Thank you. He’s at peace, you know.” I don’t know why I said it. It wasn’t exactly true, but I guessed a part of me wanted to heal the part of her I saw was still broken, even under her watery smiles and shrill laughter. He’d have wanted me to tell her.
“I truly hope he is. He’ll always belong here.” She placed her hand against her chest. “I make room to love another, but it doesn’t push him out.”
For the first time, I felt a connection with her. We shared the same loss. I always had known she loved André. She was far too good at playing pretend to let others see it though. “I never thought I’d like you,” I admitted.
She chuckled. “Stranger things have happened.”
“You’ve outdone yourself.” I looked around us. My gaze landed on icicles spelled to look as if they were hanging from over the doors. “You had help, I assume.”
“A couple of my friends from Niferum offered. I met them when I came up to fight in the battle.” She looked over my shoulder. I whipped my head around and saw Adius.
“You’re still with him then?”
She looked down. “He’s a good man.”
“He is,” I said in agreement. “I should try some of those glacier cakes before everyone else arrives and I won’t get a chance to eat.”
The fae who was a mirror image of Blaise, with slighter softer features, giggled when he entered the room, arm in arm with the dark-skinned, elaborately dressed Crawn. Next to them, Lucien, who looked nothing like his brothers, strutted as if he were above everyone else. While they both were lean and tall with dark features, Lucien was muscular with a long nose, piercing green eyes, and thin lips. He reminded me of his dead father, Azrael. I wondered if either of them knew their brother had killed him.
Niam’s silver-blue eyes found mine. He waved me over, smiling broadly. Lucien nodded once as I walked toward them. I guessed the cake would have to wait. It always did.
They bowed, and I hugged Niam, to his surprise. “Your Majesty. Great to see you again.”
“It’s Winter to you,” I said softly, then turned toward Crawn. “I’m glad you’re all here.”
“It’s been wonderful,” Niam gushed. “The people are so nice. We got told they wouldn’t be, but it shows if you give people a chance, they can show their true selves, and I know there is good in everyone.” He babbled, racing from one thought to the next. “Oh my, your gardens are something else, and the apples in the orchard, so good.”
“We came a long way.” Lucien’s voice cut through the conversation. “To watch you take back the throne.” He didn’t finish, but I already knew what he wanted to say. The dangerous glint in his eye warned me.The throne we helped you get.
“I appreciate you taking the journey.”
His stare was invasive. “My brother insisted.” He didn’t mean Niam. “Speak of him, and he shall come.”
I looked behind me and saw Blaise, who’d slipped through an alternative entrance. He wore the same suit he’d worn when we’d danced before our wedding. Silver patterns swirled throughout the dark fabric. It was tailored to his lean but strong body. Mischief danced in his smoky eyes, and his black hair curled around his forehead. His crown demanded respect. Or was it the way he carried himself? I couldn’t tell. Everyone bowed or curtseyed, even some of the lunas who’d filed into the room.
