Page 112 of Wrath of the Fae Queen
“We have been so worried about you,” the chatty orc says, voice gravelly.
Sasha pulls away sharply. “You have been worried about me, Maxin? You’re the one in a dungeon!”
“Safest place for us to be at the moment, I think. Out of sight, out of mind, and all that. I’d prefer to be in danger, protecting you from the monsters upstairs,” Maxin grumbles as he wipes tears from her face with his huge fingers.
Sasha straightens her shoulders.“I can take care of myself.”
“Can you, though? What about that soft heart of yours?” another of her orc bodyguards says.
I have to drag my eyes away from their bittersweet display. My chest aches for them.
Rainier takes my hands in his, warming my icy fingers. “We are going to get you out of here…tonight. Right now, actually.” I turn wide eyes on him, but his features are serene. “Sacrifices need to be made to get you on that throne. This fight isn’t just about a change of leadership. It is not about who is the rightful ruler or even the better ruler. Only you and Aldrin on the Spring Court throne can stop the corruption and slow the death of thisentire realm. Titania’s neglect, her pure denial—it allows other crowns in other courts to do the same. You will keep them accountable.”
“This is why you must do as we ask,” Drake urges. “Don’t see your release by another’s sacrifice as selfish or poor leadership. It is utterly essential. I know you don’t like to put yourself before others, that it goes against your nature, but on this occasion, you must.”
I glance between them as they seem to hold their breaths, my heart rate ramping up. “What are you talking about? Drake? Rainier? Who am I sacrificing?”
“Me,” Sasha calls out as she approaches. There is nothing but grim determination in her eyes. “We are going to swap places.”
“No!” Maxin calls out, his voice tortured. “No, Sasha, please!”
Another orc joins him. “Do not put yourself in this place. At their mercy!”
“I am already at their mercy, Nazaar!” Sasha swings around to her bodyguards. “At least this way I will be with you.”
“You know we cannot tell the princess what to do once her mind is already made up,” the quiet orc, the one that must be named Kazimir, grumbles from behind them.
I hold Drake’s eye for a long time, then flick my gaze to Rainier. “I cannot take advantage of her. Iwillnot! This fight has nothing to do with Sasha and you should feel ashamed for forcing her into this.”
“We did not force her,” Rainier says softly. “Quite the opposite, actually.”
“It was my idea.” Sasha’s voice is hard. She places her hands on my shoulders and stares into my face. “I will be glamoured to look exactly like you. I am already wearing a replica of your clothes and I will do my best to play my part and act like you, so you can move freely. You can keep returning to the palace wearingmyface, if the bargain requires you to do so as Titania’scaptive, but it gets you out of the dungeons and hopefully allows you to travel like before.”
One of the orcs groans behind us, but clearly knows better than to interject.
“Why? Why would you do this for me?” I choke out as tears form in my eyes. The risk is too great.
She laughs bitterly. “Oh, Keira, I’m not doing this for you. Everything I do is for my people and those I love. I will make a bargain with you, one that I will greatly benefit from. You will see.”
I search her face for a long time, the way her gaze burns and her teeth clench tight. This is not a woman being forced into anything.
“I will hear the terms of your bargain,” I finally concede.
Sasha gives Drake a hard look, which softens when it shifts to Rainier. “I need the privacy I requested for the discussion of the terms of the bargain.”
“And I would like to hear it, and advise my queen on any bargain that addresses the interests of both the Spring and Winter Courts,” Drake replies just as sternly, the words seeming so much more severe while he wears Florian’s face.
Sasha grinds her teeth, turning back to me. “It is of a more personal nature.”
“A bargain between a queen and foreign princess is never purely personal,” he insists.
Sasha’s huge blue-green eyes bore into me, swirling with vulnerability. “Please.” The word escapes from her lips in a whisper. “Hear me out, then decide if you need advice, but I beg of you, keep the personal nature of it between us. That means blocking Aldrin out through your bond as well.”
Keira, I do not like the sound of this.Aldrin’s steady, watchful presence finally makes itself known.
It won’t be for long, Aldrin. I will let you back in at the first sign of danger, I promise.I cut the connection even while he protests.
“Drake, Rainier—give us a few moments of privacy, please,” I order without looking in their direction. A ragged breath escapes Sasha’s lips and some of the tension melts from her shoulders.
