I nod as Rev pulls open the door, and I slip into the small but cozy carriage. The seats are covered in gold velvet; the curtains are patterned with gold and silver embroidery depicting trees and flowers. Fae scramble around us, grabbing our bags from the palace steps and packing them all away.
It’s strange to have this kind of treatment, but Rev is now the High Heir. The second most important fae in the entire realm.
I pull in a long breath through my nose and out my mouth. The carriage jerks forward, and we begin the short trip to the Crystal Court, back into the spotlight in a court that will hate me on sight. Just like usual.
Rev
The carriage rattlesas we pull off. Caelynn’s chest rises and falls heavily, her hands wringing together. I drop to my knees on the ground of the carriage and lean in. She opens her legs to give me more space, and I press my cheek to her shoulder.
“She’ll be okay,” I tell her. “We’ll be okay.”
Her arms wrap around my head, squeezing gently. I can feel the slight tremor in her body.
“It feels so impossible,” she admits.
My stomach churns. Caelynn appears so emotionless much of the time. She’s determined and strong, but deep inside is a well of emotions so deep it’s hard for me to fathom. She is deep where I am shallow. And while that’s an incredibly beautiful thing, it also terrifies me because Caelynn is full of darkness and pain. How deep does it go? Is it ever possible to fully weed it all out?
“One step at a time, Cae.”
The ride to the Crystal Court is short. We simply have to reach the edge of the Frost Court grounds and go through a portal, then it’s a short way to the front of the Crystal palace. The trip is only a couple miles but we travel thousands.
“What if Kari isn’t okay?” she whispers.
“She’ll be okay. I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
“What if Drake attacks the Shadow Court? He’ll dismantle them before I even get the chance—” Her voice breaks, and I squeeze her tighter.
“This is a long game, Caelynn. He won’t attack yet. And I intend to make the next move.”
She leans back, a sad frown marring her beautiful features. “What move?”
“I’m going to put you on the throne.”
Caelynn blinks rapidly.
“I have thought ahead two steps. First, we stabilize the situation with the Crystal Court. That means healing Kari and smoothing over any strains. Then, we take you to the Shadow Court and make you queen.”
