Page 102 of A Deception of Courts
My knees almost buckled as I set my eyes on him. “Eroan.”
He bowed, black hair tipping over his eyes. “My king, it is good to see you.”
“And you.”
It took effort not to run to Eroan, the kind-hearted tailor who had greeted me with such warmth the first time I’d visited Aurelia. Relief at seeing him alive was all consuming. I’d hoped that I would see him again, but not under such circumstances, and certainly not as he pushed the wooden, wheeled cot before him. As much as I was glad he was alive, it was also because I required his unique skills.
And as I settled my eyes on the outline of a body upon the cot, covered in a sheet, I knew I was closer to the next step in my plan.
“Just in time,” Althea said plainly, resting each elbow on the edges of the gilded throne as she surveyed the new arrivals. “Eroan, I trust you have everything required for this?”
“I do,” he replied, although his hesitance was evident in each word. “It will take time, but I will do everything that is required of me.”
I left Rafaela’s side and paced directly toward the cot. There was no time for niceties as I offered Eroan a weak smile, trying everything in my power not to focus on the dead body he carted before him.
“I must ask myself, Robin. Are you sure this is what you want?” Eroan laid his tired eyes on me. Black as jewels, much like my own. Although he lived within the Cedarfall Court, Eroan belonged to Icethorn. Like Jesibel, I recognised my court in the blue shine within his black hair to his stare – as cold as ice.
“I appreciate your worry, and understand that this is a hard task, but I thank you for trying.” I placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “Yes, I am sure. It is our only option. Turning Aldrick’s plans back on himself, giving him a taste of his own poison.”
There was a reluctance in his expression as his eyes trailed across me, searching. “Please, tell me there is another way.”
I shook my head. “This is the only way.”
Eroan sighed, gathered his emotion and boxed it away, leaving only a stern mask of determination lathered across his face. “So be it.”
I mouthed my thanks before turning back to the room. “We will have a short window to infiltrate Elmdew and deal with Aldrick. Going under the guise of a surprise worked for him with Elmdew and Cedarfall, and so it will succeed for us. Gyah, have we received word back from Elinor? Is she aware and ready?”
Gyah prowled forward from the shadows of Althea’s throne. Her hand lingered on the new queen’s shoulder, offering her the reminder that she was there, which had the desired effect from the way Althea’s face brightened. “No word yet. And there is no time to wait for a reply, either. If we wish to use the human teleporter, we must do so before Aldrick has enough time to understand that there is a problem. We can only hope that Elinor receives our request and acts immediately.”
I swallowed down my fears, feigning confidence in my plan. “She will. Elinor will do anything to protect her people and us. I believe it. And what of the Asps?” I turned to Lady Kelsey. “Have any been located among the Cedarfall survivors?”
Kelsey lifted her chin, broadening shoulders as pride practically glowed from her face. I knew the feeling was born from knowing she had something to offer toward the retribution of the family taken from her. “As they are my expertise, yes, I have had success in communicating with them. Without the assassins, I wouldn’t be standing here…” There was more Kelsey wished to say, but one look from Althea kept her on track. “This is the first time the Asps haven’t requested payment for their aid. They, too, have lost family and will stand by us. And thanks to them, the tonic you require to keep thatleechout of your minds should arrive shortly.”
“Good.” My body trembled. “That’s good.”
Everything was falling into place. If the Asps provided us with stores of Mariflora, we could keep Aldrick out of our minds long enough to finish the task of destroying him. But the other issue was getting close enough, and that relied on Eroan, his magic and the body upon the cot.
I didn’t want to ask the next question, but the answer was important to our chances.
“How many of Aurelia’s survivors have agreed to come with us?”
Duncan cleared his throat. “Enough. Close to sixty, the rest will stay back and protect what is left of the Cedarfall Court.”
“As I have said before, my people have lost enough,” Althea added sternly. “I do not wish for them to put themselves in harm’s way. I regret asking them to step forwards.”
“With all due respect, Althea, you did the right thing.” Duncan was careful with every word and the tone he used. “Your people would refuse anything but the chance to help. They, much like you, feel as though they have nothing left to lose. And there is nothing more frightening than someone with nothing to lose… trust me.”
Althea’s eyes sparked with flame. “I don’t disagree, there is nothing more terrifying than that.”
My blood cooled as Erix spoke next. It was the first time he’d uttered a word since he removed the iron cuff from my neck. He walked directly toward Althea, sparing me only a quick glance as he passed. He stopped when he reached the throne, then bent his knee and bowed his head.
“My duty started in this court,” Erix said to Althea alone, although he spoke with undeniable conviction. “It was my honour to serve your family, and it would be an honour if you allow me to do the same for you, my queen.”
“Stand,” Althea commanded. “Please, Erix. I don’t ever want to see you bend the knee to me.”
Erix stood tall, his leathered wings flexing naturally at his sides. Physically, he was not the same man who last served the Cedarfall Court. But his soul had not changed, deep down, it was still him.
I was glad for it, happy I finally recognised the truth.
