Page 13 of The Stolen Crown

“Do not downplay your actions, but more than that, never say there is no need for revelry in the fae isles.” Her lips twitched with a grin. “It only aggravates my people.”

I drew in another puff of smoke to hide the uptick in my breathing, then flicked the paper roll onto the damp docks, smashing it with the heel of my boot. “We have no proper attire.”

“Good thing we have a market. We’ll see to it coin is left for you and the crew to gather what you need.” The queen paused. “My husband is known for talking his way into getting what he wants, but I’m rather skilled at it myself. I know we, of all the earth kingdoms, are the most uneasy for you.”

“Since I was banished by your word after the war?” Bleeding gods, why was I speaking?

One of her brows raised. “Yes.”

“We’re to have peace now, Highness. I’ve let the past live in the past.”

The queen hummed like she might not truly believe me. “We have peace, but it is still in its infancy. Another reason I think your attendance tomorrow will only help Liv and Bloodsinger with their efforts to repair fractures between our worlds, don’t you think?”

Cunning queen.

Perhaps she sensed my loyalty to my own king and queen. Perhaps she was sincere. Or perhaps she was manipulating me.

Whatever her reason, she was clever. I wouldn’t refuse when she turned it into something beneficial for the Ever.

I was here to soothe wounds with the glamour fae, not reopen them.

The Ever Queen still believed there was healing to be done for the glamour fae. Livia once hinted after a bit too much wine that Mira’s mother and father hid deeper scars from the war, more so than other kingdoms.

I didn’t know why their trials would be worse than anyone else’s.

“What is your answer, Heartwalker?” the queen asked when I stayed silent too long.

What was I to say? I wanted my queen and my king to have their peace. I merely did not know how to fit within it. Certainly not here, in these isles.

I shoved my hands into the pockets of my trousers. “I do not mean to derogate your word, My Lady, but the king is not fond of me.”

“Even the king cannot deny you saved his only child. My husband will welcome you with many biting words and taunts, but welcome you all the same.”

The queen did not leave me room to argue before turning back toward the path through the wood, pausing, and preparing to cover her shoulders with a cloak one of her guards held out. In the delay, I could not help but take note of the exposed skin of her back, where the style of her gown was open.

Scars covered the queen’s flesh, much like my own cousin’s body.

The queen shouldered the cloak around her body. “At the first star on the morrow, Heartwalker. Bring the whole of your crew.”

In the next heartbeat, she faded into the shadows of the trees.

“Well, we be goin’, right?” Swordeater’s rough voice broke my stun. “Gods know we could do with somethin’ more than the hardtack and weeds you be feedin’ us on deck.”

Against the rail of the ship, the crew looked down at me, a bit of delight in their gazes. I narrowed my eyes at the lot of them and turned my back.

A night at the palace? Endless folk and people and fae. Laughter, drink, gowns. I closed my eyes. Her.

All at once, I wanted to join Filib in one of the three hells.

5

The Illusionist

The Borough Palace was built half into a knoll, another portion into a mammoth fae oak. The rest of the architecture was all pale stone with sloped rooftops and spires atop turrets and towers. A structure made of more whimsy than other palaces and strongholds in neighboring kingdoms.

Night Folk fae lived in a palace made of polished wood and stone walls. The alver royal house was a formidable sight: endless walls, dark stone, and towers with jagged points.

Sea fae manors with glimmering trim and cobbled pathways were the nearest to the glamour fae.