Page 27 of The Blood Queen

In fact, many people are gawking at us now. People and creatures. All around the courtyard, fae are pointing at us and whispering to each other. Over our mangled appearances? Over my demands?

I don’t much care.

These people have all stood by for years while Alyth kept the weight of their entire world on her shoulders. She’s Atlas, and they’ve been burdening her without a care.

The prickling sensation starts. The flutter of dots showering over my eyesight—a Red Cap blackout.

I shake it off and grip my fists.

Not here. Never here.

I’ll stand up for Alyth without ruining another cover for us.

The brownie snaps his mouth shut. After a long moment of staring at me, he shifts to the side to see Alyth again.

“Your father will approve of this one,” he says.

That makes Alyth blanch. “He will?”

“Mm.” The brownie turns on his heel. “Follow me.” He starts off toward the palace.

I follow, and Alyth hurries alongside me.

This time, we actually move. The palace draws closer with each step, like normal.

Mighty neat trick. Will it work on the High Blade? Keep her and her army marching in place till they die? Doubtful.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Alyth whispers at me.

I look down at her, the closest I’ve ever come to glaring at her. But it’s for her. “I’m done letting you get treated as anything less than what you are,” I say, making each word clear, ringing with my restrained anger, with the feeble lid I’ve got on my resolve. “And what you are is magnificent, Alyth. Strong and brave and maddeningly perfect and a goddamned princess to boot, though no one here seems to remember that. You don’t even seem to remember that. Now, we’re gonna go into this palace, and we’re gonna get you taken care of.”

Alyth falls silent next to me, her gaze dipping to the ground, and I worry I pushed too hard.

I just don’t have the strength to filter myself right now.

The brownie leads us into a palace more opulent than any I’ve seen. Not that I’ve seen many. But compared to Mary’s, it’s ostentatious, wealth pouring over every surface and enhanced by that thread of nature sneaking through.

Everything’s gilded or burnished, shining and gleaming, marble and glittering jewels and lavish tapestries. But expertly woven into each bit of finery is some element of nature, vines growing up the walls and holding pictures in place or tree branches flowing over the ceiling in a repeating pattern of archways. The stone walls are all painted in bright colors, white, and yellow to reflect the sconces and chandeliers; it makes every hall we pass down beam with light.

There aren’t many courtiers, and there wouldn’t be, would there, if they’re all out hunting. But there are servants or minor nobles, people in uniforms like the brownie’s and nicer finery, silks and jewels, yeah, but also flowers and feathered headpieces. They eye us as we pass, some staring outright, some giving leering smiles.

They recognize Alyth.

I stay close to her, glaring daggers at any of the ones who leer. They see me, and their taunting smiles drop.

The brownie leads us high into this extravagant palace, and I try to memorize the route, but I look behind me and the hall’s different from how I remember.

We walk a few paces, and I do it again, glance back. Even though I know the hall we’ve been walking down has a polished wood floor, can see it under my boots, when I look over my shoulder, I see a long stretch of carpet and walls that don’t match.

Damn fae magic again.

The brownie stops us in front of two doors.

“Why’s the hall changing?” I ask.

Alyth doesn’t look at me.

I did push too far.