I exchanged a guilt-laden look with Tolek. Though we’d talked to Rina extensively about our bargain with the fae, it was a sensitive topic.
Tolek’s hand slid into mine. He blamed himself, but those bargains got us a place to hide in Mindshaper Territory during the war, and it brought Lancaster and Mora to our aid against Kakias.
Besides, Lancaster had healed Dax when he was within an inch of his life. Rina’s anger was entirely justified—I was angry, too—but we’d needed the fae more than once.
“Neither of us have forgiven him for what he tried to do to you,” Tolek growled.
“And if he ever touches you again, I will cut off both of his hands,” I swore.
“Go a step further,” Tol encouraged. “His tongue, his cock, whatever the male favors, it’ll be gone in a heartbeat if he steps out of line.”
That had Santorina laughing, but tension still framed her expression.
“If that fae dares to touch me again, I’ll take care of that last one myself.” And there was an inferno in her eyes as she said it, one burning as hot as the Spirit Fire itself.
As fierce as a warrior’s heart.
I whispered, “Got your dagger?”
Rina flashed me a wicked grin. “Always.”
We may not have brought every weapon in our arsenal as a show of the smallest sliver of peace, but a few blades were not mistrusting. They were simply smart. And would the queen wish to confer with unwise rulers?
Starfire and Angelborn warmed as if in agreement.
“Now, let’s try to keep it out of Lancaster’s neck,” I mumbled, following the others down a set of grand stairs.
Heels and boots echoed on marble, nearly drowning Rina’s next words. “Something tells me we’re only running toward that fate.”
I wasn’t sure what she meant, and I didn’t get a chance to ask, because we arrived at the grand wooden doors to the audience chamber, the arched frame stretching twenty feet high, and I strode to the front of the group.
As Mora and Brystin pushed them open, I slammed up my mask of Revered. Angellight whirled in my veins, providing silent strength. I lifted my chin, pressed my shoulders back, and assumed the aura of the ruler of the Mystique Warriors.
At the far end of the chamber, upon a regal, gilded throne carved with roses and their jagged thorns, a faerie brimming with power rose to her feet.
“Welcome, warriors.” She spread her arms, a silver chalice in hand, her red gown coiled tightly around her. “This meeting has been waiting in the eons.”
Queen Ritalia, the bloodthirsty monarch of the fae, grinned at me with nothing but immortal grace as I strode into the chamber with my council. An ancient gold diadem crusted in rubies sat above her high forehead as she beckoned us.
Tolek remained at my right, assuming the place of my Second until Cypherion arrived. Hopefully we’d finish these discussions quickly, before that mattered.
Santorina stood behind us, Mila and Malakai on either side of her, and Ezalia was on my left. Jezebel, Erista, and Lyria filled in our last line. We marched to the center of the audience chamber, stopping before the steps to the throne.
A string quartet played a dreary tune in the corner, and every attendee’s movements seemed to flow to the music as we stopped walking. Fae gathered in clusters around the room, muttering so low, their words were nothing more than eerie whispers. Behind the throne, velvet drapes swayed against the wall ever so slightly.
“Seraph Child,” Queen Ritalia said, and my attention whipped toward her, Angellight flaring in my veins. Brystin, Mora, and Lancaster took up positions behind her throne. “How I have been so curious of you for some time now.” The queen’s words slipped between a snow-white smile. Her eyes, green as the stems of the roses lining her halls, assessed me as I did her.
Curious of you. Nothappy to meet you, or evenwaiting to. Simply curious.
“And I have wondered about you, Your Majesty.”
Ritalia’s head tilted, her hair piled atop it shifting like a nest of golden snakes. “What is it that you’ve wondered?”
“What you are doing here, most prudently.”
She waved her chalice. “A matter we will get to after our welcome.”
“In that case, I believe your welcome is better addressed by the ruler of this territory,” I said, directing my attention to my left.
