“Nothing,” Rev finally says. “You should do nothing.”
“Nothing?” Her voice pitches high.
“Yes,” Rev says again. “The High Court is—”
“I disagree,” I blurt out. Both Rev and the Crystal Queen stop to stare at me. “Obviously I don’t want you to retaliate, but you should capture any guilty parties.”
The Crystal Queen nods. “We’ve begun investigations.”
“Good,” I mutter.
Rev watches me closely for another beat and then turns his attention back to the head of the table. “There are a few nuances to these events that should be made clear before decisions are made. One, the source of the wraith attack was not the Shadow Court.”
The queen’s lips part, but Rev continues before she can speak.
“Not everyone will believe me about this fact, but Kari would and I am hoping you will as well. The Shadow Court does not control the wraiths. The Night Terror does.”
The queen flinches.
“The ancient beast had an army of them at her disposal inside the Schorchedlands, and that has continued now that she is free. The wraiths are being used just as they were during the ball when Caelynn was arrested. To frame the Shadow Court. Or in this case, make them seem like a significantly more dangerous foe than they are.”
She frowns. “So, you believe this whole attack was orchestrated—"
“No,” Rev says quickly. “The rebels are a real concern.”
I lean forward. “But please understand that the Shadow Court is weak and poor. We don’t have the ability to feed ourselves, let alone defends ourselves.”
“Then, explain how and why rebels would attack my court if they are so weak. So in need of aid.”
I bite the inside of my lip.
“We believe the band of rebels attacked the temple to steal the gemstones,” Rev answers for me. “You could liken their attack to a father stealing to feed his children. Is it wrong? Yes. Is it understandable? Also, yes. No father should ever be put in such a situation.”
The queen frowns. “Some in the council are concerned the Shadow Court is building power for an attack.”
Rev nods. “I find that notion foolish, if I’m honest. They do not have enough power to fuel their palaces or their people. Their power is lacking, and their structures are failing. Such a court may be angry, there may be discontent that fuels some small acts of aggression, but—”
“Ifanycourt was to retaliate, it would be a massacre,” I say.
The Crystal Queen blinks. “The High Court has a plan then? If this is true, and the Shadow Court is this desolate...”
Rev nods. “We have a plan.”
We’ve got a lot of work to do to fight against the Night Bringer. We don’t have the time right now to seek out the shadow rebels or resolve their poverty issues unless... he did say he intended to put me on the throne.
My stomach flips pleasantly and nervously all at once. I have the power to reverse some of the damage that has been done to my court. But can we really do that and fight the Night Bringer at the same time? We are on the verge of war with an ancient power.
A squeal jerks my attention behind me where light floods the room.
The door to the meeting chamber swings open, revealing several imposing fae royals, each with a crown on their heads.
I stand, heart hammering. The High Queen’s eyes flit up and down my body as she passes but says nothing. Rev’s father is right on her heels, followed by several other kings and queens.
They file right into the room. The Crystal Queen greets all the others with a soft smile and firm embrace.
“Kari is well, thank you,” she murmurs, to the Frost Queen as they embrace.
I scootch away from the table, toward the door, until a hand on my back stops me. I look up to King Raijin’s soft yellow eyes. “Stay,” he whispers.
