Page 138 of Amidst the Insidious Courts
Caed shakes his head. “Even one where they’re all trying to kill Rose?”
I snort. The key word in that sentence is ‘trying’. “I’ll give her their severed cocks! Wait. What about the females? Do you think she’d accept a severed tit?”
Prae shakes her head.
“We need to get back to the palace,” Bram insists, grabbing my arm. “Now.”
“Take us,” Caed insists, hefting the crossbow onto his back. “You might need the backup.”
Bram pushes his glasses up his nose. “No. Adding two Fomorians to the mix is just adding fuel to the argument that you’ve corrupted her. If the worst happens, Lore can blink her away.”
“She’s down two Guards and a high priestess,” Caed argues. “I’ll protect her with my life, and no one will know I’m even there. I swear on Balor’s medallion.”
Funnily enough, I almost… believe him. If he fails, can I stab him?
“You can’t swear on something you don’t own. That medallion is safe in the vaults of Elfhame Palace,” Bram replies evenly. “We will protect Rose. When this is over, I’ll tell her that you warned us, and she can make her own decision, but I won’t go against her orders. She’s my queen.”
“That’s not good enough.” Caed’s hand slams down on the wooden table, splintering it as I blink Bram to find some reinforcements.
After all, what’s a good coup without extra swords?
Forty-Four
Rhoswyn
My hands are shaking as Drystan escorts me to the throne room. Lore hasn’t returned, and my mind has come up with all sorts of reasons why he might be gone. I didn’t want to go without him, but Eero sent a servant to summon us, and we couldn’t stall any longer.
“Your nerves are distracting,” Drystan says, tone quiet, like I’m some horse he’s trying not to spook.
“That’s a shitty attempt to calm her nerves, huntsman,” Maeve retorts.
I heave a sigh of relief as we finally finish climbing the stairs to the top of the tower where the throne room is and enter a lavishly decorated foyer. My guides are trailing behind us, their outlines flickering in the dappled light from the stained-glass windows, but Drystan completely ignores all of them.
“Do not fret, dear heart,” Titania says. “Mab has checked the throne room twice already. Everything is as it should be.”
“And the redcap and Bram are on their way.” Maeve bounces on the soles of her feet. “Your brother was putting on clothes when I checked on them.”
“Then where is everyone else?” I ask.
The room is deserted, as were all the corridors and stairwells we used to get here, and the emptiness makes it seem as though the vine-strung halls are pressing in on me. The only other fae here is the page in fine gold livery, waiting by the door.
“In the throne room, awaiting your entrance.” Drystan inclines his head in the direction of the large door looming ahead of us. “Calm yourself, huntress. Fear will interfere with your connection to the Goddess.”
Calm myself. If only it were so simple. If it was just me in danger, perhaps it would be.
Drystan halts before the door, goes to say something, and then stops himself, looking at the page with suspicion.
“Breathe like your high priestess taught you,” Mab advises, giving my Guard an eye roll. “Separate yourself from the anxiety. If you can learn to observe your emotions, and Danu’s from a place of impartiality, you’ll be closer to controlling your magic.”
“They’re ready for you, Nicnevin,” the page mumbles, bowing.
“Let’s get this over with,” Drystan snarls. “Eero has kept us waiting long enough.”
The page nods, and the doors swing open, exposing the lavish throne room of the Summer Court. Sunlight streams in from a dozen giant windows, filtering through the golden leaves of aspens that form a ring around the edge of the room. The glow reflects off the faces of the gathered courtiers, enhancing the already otherworldly beauty of the fae.
They’ve left their humans behind today, I’m relieved to notice, as the whole room bows respectfully.
“Announcing Nicnevin Rhoswyn, fifth beloved daughter of Danu and High Queen of all fae,” the page calls. “And her Guard, Lord Drystan Snowchild.”
