“That’s wonderful news,” the queen says, her mouth tense, but her eyes are soft. Her gaze turns to me. “We have some other matters to discuss as well. If you’re able.”
I nod, and as the whole group prepares to leave the medical hall, Kari calls out, “Mother!”
The queen spins back, eyes wide.
“I trust Caelynn,” Kari tells her with a firm but hoarse voice.
The others whisper frantically but hush quickly.
“I know,” the Crystal Queen says, her eyes soft.
Caelynn
I’m barely able tokeep my shield of disinterest in place as I enter the meeting room with the Crystal Queen. My fingers tremble against Rev’s palm.
The Crystal Queen doesn’t like me—none of them do—but that’s not what has me rattled.
The image of Kari’s ashy face—the open greyed wound on her stomach—is stuck in my mind.
The room we enter is dark and still. The windows are covered by thick curtains. No servants follow us into the room; it’s only me, Rev, and the Crystal Queen. It’s a weird feeling to be alone with a queen, but then again, I’m holding hands with the soon-to-be High King.
The Crystal Queen pulls a lever, and a small fire erupts in the fireplace, casting the room in a warm glow, then she takes a seat in the stone chair at the end of the meeting table.
“I have a lot of questions,” the Crystal Queen says.
I shift my weight from foot to foot awkwardly. Do we sit? Am I even welcome?
The Crystal Queen waves to open seats. “You may sit. The council is gathering as we speak, and once they arrive, Caelynn may have to leave. They didn’t expect your time in the medical wing to be sobrief, however. So, we have some time.”
Rev guides me forward, and we take seats beside each other near the queen at this massive table.
“What would you like to know?” Rev asks, his shoulders back, chin up.
The Crystal Queen sighs. “I’d like to know what the hell I’m supposed to do about shadow rebels attacking my court.”
Rev and I both pause.
