Page 63 of The Crimson Throne
Where there had been boulders, now castle walls rise from the mist, the stone carved in harmony with nature. There are no straight lines, the windows blossoming in the natural dips of the stone and the towers twisting like trees. Moss shining with dew casts a glittering emerald glow. Lights flick by—sprites, the wee sticklars.
Everything here islikethe landscape of Scotland but slightly…off.As if one painter sketched out the landscape, and then another faintly painted over it, adding new elements and changing subtle details.
It’s the glamours, stronger here than in the human realm. Strong enough to be real. While I can weave nothing but misty shadows and tricks, this is the home of magic, potent and strong.
I am the strongest Leth in Scotland.
And I am nothing here.
The magic that can truly shift reality remains out of my reach, inaccessible to me.
“Lady Alyth.”
I turn, trying not to show how much the sound of my name beingspoken startled me. A brownie steps out of a hollow spot in a log. A shimmer in the dark hole tells me that this brownie has used a portal to reach me quickly.
Because heaven forbid my father greet me.
I incline my head to the brownie, one of my father’s personal attendants. As with all fae, I don’t know his name, but I call him Kirk because he’s generally as silent as a church. Also because the word for a chicken is “cearc,” which reminds me of the chicken feathers he sticks in his hair, thinking they make him look distinguished.
“Hello,” I say respectfully.
“What are you doing here?” Kirk gets right to the point.
“I found another Red Cap item.” I hold out the amulet I took from Samson.
Kirk clucks his tongue like a worried hen, taking the silver Celtic knotwork. He inspects it carefully, muttering to himself.
“I am concerned that this may be the work of the High Blade,” I say. “I’ve connected this item to Lady Lennox and, from her, to a member of the English queen’s court.”
Kirk holds a finger up, demanding silence.
I close my mouth but cannot help heaving a sigh. Nothing I say ever matters.
Kirk does something with his hands, swirling them around the amulet. With an audiblepop!that resonates throughout the area, the amulet disappears.
“I will report this to your father,” he says, bowing and turning.
Dismissing me.
“Wait!” I call, actually reaching out to him. Kirk is low in societal rank, but he’s a full-blooded fae. I may be a prince’s daughter, but I’m also half human. When I grab Kirk’s elbow to make him pause, he looksdown at my hand with distaste that makes it clear he thinks, despite our different ranks, I have no right to touch him.
I let go immediately.
“Can’t you take me to see my father? Let me explain to him what this threat is, how dangerous it is…”
Kirk shakes his head. “The prince is indisposed.”
Right. Of course he is. The palace walls rising over where the boulders are in my realm have sparkling crystal windows lit up with various different lights. There’s an excellent chance my father is inside, dancing and drinking. Oblivious to me.
But those palace walls are charmed. Humans who slip into the fae realm are doomed to wander aimlessly unless they have a connection like me, but even I cannot go into the proper court without a fae guide. If I were to try to enter the palace, it would always remain out of my reach, even if I ran at it full tilt. If I were to try to force my way inside, I would find myself befuddled and confused, turned about. Even if the path to the palace were a straight line, paved and clear, with signs pointing to the right direction, the only way I would be able to take one step closer would be if I were invited and led inside the palace by a full-blooded fae.
I know.
I’ve tried.
Until I learned nothing would make my father leave his parties. Nothing I could do anyway.
That’s how the Seelie Court works. Layers of deception and traps, ensuring nothing disturbs the revelry. Turning you into a source of amusement for trying.
