“It’s true,” the blonde standing next to Isla chimes in. “Isla helped Zoey when she needed it most.”
I step closer to Riven, my Star Disc raised. “Continue,” I say to Isla, not taking my eyes off her.
“I know where Zoey is,” she repeats. “I can take you to her. In exchange, I want safe passage and sanctuary in the Summer Court for all of us.” She gestures to the group of humans huddled by the fountain. “We want to live as free citizens under Queen Lysandra’s protection—not as pets of the Night Court or prisoners of the Winter Court.”
A few of the humans exchange worried glances, and a young man with sandy hair speaks up, his voice shaking.
“We don’t know anything about the Summer Court,” he says to Isla.
“What if it’s just another kind of prison?” adds a beautiful, curvy blonde girl.
“Iknow about the Summer Court,” Isla cuts off the chatter. “They don’t lock humans in barns and palace wings. And given that the winter knights told us the Night Court has been obliterated, I think we’d be far better off in the Summer Court than staying here.”
“Back up.” I blink, holding up a hand to stop her. “Did you just saybarns?Is that where Zoey is? In some sort ofbarn?”
“Yes, barns.” Isla gives me a small, chilling smile. “But Zoey isn’t there. She’s somewhere else. Somewhere protected. Somewhere special, where she’s been elevated above the rest of us.”
I can’t take her smug, secretive attitude anymore. I justcan’t.
So, I release the Star Disc at an angle that leaves inches between it and Isla’s bicep as it flies toward the fountain and buries itself in the stone.
Isla releases a startled gasp and feels her arm for injuries, even though there are none.
The beautiful blonde steps to her side, as if she could actually protect her friend fromme.
“How about this for a deal.” I call the Star Disc back into my waiting palm, smiling from the impressed gasps the humans release. “Bring us to Zoey, and we’ll let you live.”
Riven smirks, his gaze locked on Isla. “When Sapphire starts throwing sharp objects, agreeing with her is the smart move,” he says. “Although by all means, keep testing her patience. Watching her terrify people is one of my favorite forms of entertainment.”
I can think of a few other forms of entertainment he enjoys far, far more, but those will be saved for later, when we’re back home.
Home,the word echoes through my mind. Because what evenishome anymore? It’s certainly not Presque Isle. So, is it the Summer Court? The Winter Court? Somewhere else entirely?
One glance at Riven’s heated gaze is the only answer I need. Because my home isn’t a physical place.
My home is with him.
Which technically means I’m home right now. But this isn’t the time or place to play mental semantics. So, I step closer to Isla and call on my ice magic, allowing a thin sheen of frost to crawl from the ground where I’m standing toward her feet.
Isla’s controlled expression cracks, fear flickering across her features as she stares at the Star Disc in my hand.
The blonde beside her takes another step back, her face pale.
“All right.” Isla raises her hands in surrender. “No need for more demonstrations. Stand down, and I’ll take you to Zoey.”
SAPPHIRE
The hallsof the Night Palace are eerily beautiful, bathed in the morning light that spills through tall, arched windows. Chandeliers float overhead, and shadows cling to every corner, alive and shifting, like whispers of magic lingering beyond sight.
But the beauty is ruined by the bodies scattered across the polished marble floors. Night fae who dared to fight against the winter army. They lie broken and still, their wings splayed out around them like fallen angels, their lifeless eyes reflecting a battle they couldn’t win.
Those who surrendered are being kept behind heavy, ornate doors guarded by stoic winter knights. The knights’ gazes track us silently, their eyes watchful and wary, frost crackling along their armor as we pass.
Isla doesn’t flinch as we walk around the bodies. She simply keeps her shoulders back and her head held high, saying nothing. Despite how young—and howhumanshe is—she has the composure of a fae queen. Assuming she was telling the truth about her and Zoey being friends, I can see why Zoey liked her.
Riven stays close beside me, tension coiled tight in every movement. Ice forms patterns across his arms, his swordgripped firmly in one hand. As always, he’s ready to protect or destroy—whichever is needed first.
The deeper we go into the palace, the more ancient everything feels. The walls grow rougher, the air colder, until Isla finally stops before what appears to be a solid wall of black stone.
