Page 55 of Final Shift
“Court's canceled,” Dad barked when the scream died off. “Rowan, gather your people. Evie—” Dad squeezed his eyes shut for a brief second. He took my hands and held them. When he opened his eyes, they swirled with ancient magic. “Do whatever you need to do.”
The ground rumbled again. “What's happening out there?” I demanded.
Dad dropped my hands. “The gods have shown up.”
Rowan turned and streaked outside.
“What the hell is going on?”
Dad shook his head. “The fae are tired of waiting, Evie. I'll do what I can to turn them away. We can't kill our own people. Not this way.”
My dad looked stricken, almost surprised this was happening. I wasn't surprised by anything these days, and I'd been expecting this for months now. Maybe not this specifically, but I knew the fae would make their move. I just expected the first move to be against Caelan.
Was this a distraction for something bigger?
“I'll try,” I said to Dad as I spun toward the door. “No promises.”
“Evie!”
I paused at the door. “If you want me to be queen,” I said quietly, “I must do it my way. If our people are willing to move against me and my husband, then they will know why I am your heir and why I was chosen to wear the crown.”
Dad and I locked eyes. Pride shimmered in their ancient depths, but I almost thought he might argue with me. Instead, he nodded slowly. “Fair enough, daughter.” Dad smiled. “I'll be out in a moment.”
I walked out the door and hurried after Rowan.
My husband stood between Declan and Hope, facing the still-standing wards. Several fae stood on the other side. Danu stood in the center and slightly ahead of the others.
She wore her ancient guise today, though we both knew the immortality running through her veins ensured she would be forever young—if she wanted to appear that way. Her hair waslong and gray, snarled and tangled with roots and fungi. It fell past her waist and swayed in a phantom wind.
Seeing her outside of the ground was jarring. Danu seemed like the kind of person who belonged inside the heart of the earth and not someone who should be walking on the same earth I was. Her eyes changed color every few seconds, and she stood stooped over, her right hand resting on a polished wooden cane we both knew she didn't need.
Her lips curled in a smile when she saw me. “Ah,QueenEvie.” She made the word sound distasteful. “So glad you're here this evening.”
Danu flicked a dismissive hand toward the wards. “We will both pretend I can't tear through these wards like they're the thinnest tissue paper. In return, you will parley with me and discuss terms.”
“Terms for what?” Rowan growled.
A faint smile tipped Danu's lips. “Surrender.”
When Rowan froze, Danu chuckled, the sound an ancient breeze in the cool evening air. “The fae have come to reclaim their lands, Lord. We will try to do so peacefully, but if you insist on fighting us, we will respond in kind.”
I felt my father's presence behind me. Danu's eyes narrowed when she spotted him. “Ah, Cernunnos. Welcome to the party.”
“Leave, Danu. You are not welcome here.”
Danu's soft snort angered my father. He went still beside me. As much as I adored my dad, he wasn't used to anyone mocking him. Even my teasing bothered him sometimes, so I was careful to dole out only small doses.
I put my hand on his arm.
“Hiding behind your father, Evie?” She clicked her tongue mockingly. “I'm surprised. With that lock ripped from your magic, I expected you to obliterate me as soon as you saw me. And yet here we stand, all in one piece.”
I examined every single person standing beside Danu, taking the time to memorize all of their faces, knowing I'd remember them when I saw them in my court.
I stepped forward. “A queen does not harm her misguided subjects. She shows them a better way.”
The bond in my chest warmed with Rowan's pride.
“Every fae standing here with Danu, I give you the opportunity to walk away. If you make the right decision, you will face no consequences from us. If you stand with Danu, I make no promises to your future safety.”
