Page 19 of A Court So Dark
The others did too, making me feel better about using this as my first question.
“Okay, so I’ll askis Kalyll in Elf-hame?and when she saysyes, she’ll provide additional information. If it’s useful, my next question can be based on whatever she says. If it’s not, then my second question could beis Kalyll in Nerethien?Again, I have a feeling that’s where Kalyll is, but maybe you all know of a more likely place where Cardian could have taken him.”
“He could be right under our noses, for all we know?” Cylea said. “Right here in Elyndell.”
Jeondar paced, a fist rubbing his chin. “We paid a visit to Cardian’s closest, most powerful allies, and after the scare Kalyll gave them, I don’t think they would dare lend the coward a hand any longer.”
“One of those allies literally can’t,” Kryn said with a chuckle.
Arabis threw a disapproving glance toward Kryn, while Silver laughed and the others just shook their heads. I frowned and suspected they were talking about something Wölfe had done. I didn’t want to know, so I didn’t ask.
“Elyndell would be too difficult a place to keep Kalyll hidden,” Jeondar added.
“Maybe you’re right.” Cylea nodded. “What about Pharowyn? The little prince has a couple of allies there.”
“I doubt he does anymore,” Jeondar disagreed. “News travels fast. I bet they’re not even in Pharowyn anymore. I bet they heard the king was on a westbound extermination path and found suitable hiding places to fare the storm.”
Cylea lifted her arms to the heavens. “Then Nerethien sounds like the most likely possibility, after all”
The others thought for a moment.
Jeondar started nodding to himself. “At this point, Mythorne might be the only ally of any considerable strength left to Cardian. Maybe the only one who would dare try to contain Kalyll, especially now that his reputation as a ruthless shadowdrifter has everyone talking.”
“Then it’s settled,” I said with more confidence than I felt. “We have our questions.”
Now, all I had to do was wait until midnight without losing my mind in the meantime.
CHAPTER 7
DANIELLA
Whilewewaitedformidnight to arrive, I stayed in my chamber—we didn’t want Cardian to know we’d discovered his magical mole—while the others tried to do damage control and got ready for a potential trip to Nerethien.
Jeondar, as the highest ranking of the five, met with the council members and dispatched several messages to his father at the Summer Court, as well as to the Spring, Fall, and Winter Courts. He reiterated previous messages from Kalyll, warning them about Mythorne and Cardian’s intentions of taking control of the minor courts. The messages also entreated them to be ready to defend their domain from hostile forces from the Unseelie King. Among other things, Jeondar also expedited things with the council members so that Kalyll’s uncle was placed in charge of any decisions while the king was absent.
In the meantime, the others gathered supplies that we might need during our search for Kalyll, including healing ingredients from a list I put together.
When I got tired of the silence, I gestured to Larina to follow me, and we went to Cylea’s chamber. No one else was there.
“That’s all I’m good for. Lists,” I complained to Larina, while I meandered through the room and walked into the closet.
I paused to look in the mirror. The Fae features Naesala Roka had forced on me remained in place and would for who knew how long.
“For now,” Larina said. “Once you become queen—“
I put a hand up to cut her off. “I don’t wanna think about it. That’s a whole other battle. I can’t even look like myself. I have to stay like this so I don’t raise eyebrows wherever I go. If we ever get through this—“
“When,” Larina put in. “Let’s be more optimistic.”
“When,” I repeated, inwardly thanking her. Ihadto stay positive or I’d go mad. “Whenwe get through this, I’ll still have to deal with all of that… the court accepting me for who I am, figuring out how to be a queen to people I don’t understand, and who knows what else.”
“I think you will make a splendid queen.”
I smiled up at her as she hovered above my head. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. You will be there to help me, won’t you?”
Larina’s cheeks turned violet with embarrassment. “Of course, I will,” she said once she recovered.
“As my friend, as my confidant, right?”
