No. I needed to pull myself together, to get under control.
And decide my next course of action.
Chapter 8
It took longer than usual for me to decide what to do.
I’d never fought an aether-blessed fae before. Most lived in Faerie, where they could claim royal lineage and the benefits it gave. The ones in the human realm were few. They were also, generally, privileged and lived private lives because others coveted their powers over the aether.
And for good reason.
While almost all races of fae, and most demi-fae, could manipulate at least one of the other four elements to some degree, aether was a whole different animal. The fifth element was the most deadly. It was pure energy and creation, said to come from the life force and will of the old gods themselves. If one mastered it, they could potentially do whatever they wanted.
Even suck your soul right out of you.
I shuddered as I perched on the edge of my windowsill. I could use four elements, two of them formidably. And yet, I knew that if this queen was a strong aether-blessed fae, I was screwed. However, if she was only moderately talented at manipulating aether, I stood a chance.
Maybe.
I leapt out of the window. Using air magic to soften my landing on the cobblestone, I rose and huddled against the building. After a quick glance up at Hatter’s window to ensure I hadn’t been spotted, I tiptoed toward the main street.
It didn’t take long to determine which direction I needed to take. The castle was visible, glowing brilliant white as it towered over the shorter buildings in Henri’s neighborhood. Torches illuminated every tower and turret so that the painted hearts were as clear at night as they were in the day.
My fists clenched, taking in the place where my parents would have raised me.
Soon they’ll be wiping the hearts off of those towers.
I pulled the cloak Hatter had given me over my head, and took to the main street.
Despite the late hour, the city was bustling. Vendors hawked street food, and fae milled around outside establishments, talking and listening to the music coming from inside.
A few males cat-called at me as I passed. I wanted to shoot them the bird, but the gesture would probably mark me as an outsider, and I needed to fit in. So instead, I gave them my most intimidating glare and continued in the direction of the castle.
It was in a moment of giving a man my ‘fuck off’ death glower that I ran smack dab into a fae with outrageously long ears, a towering physique weighed down by a doughy middle, and no wings. An elf.
“Oh!” I cried out, taken aback as the elf grabbed my arms and righted me.
“Best watch where you’re going.” His eyes locked on my face, clearly liking what he was seeing. Behind him, a few friends smirked. “The streets can be a dangerous place for a pretty thing like you.”
“Thanks for the unsolicited advice.” I jerked back, out of his grip.
“Apologies, I—” He threw up his hands in what was sure to be a half-hearted apology, and in doing so, knocked off my hood. The elf stopped speaking and his friends—all seemingly elves too—began muttering amongst themselves behind him.
My heart rate quickened. That reaction couldn’t be good.
Lightning fast, I pulled the hood up, and took a dozen steps back.
“Where were you going in such a hurry?” the lead elf asked, his eyes narrowed. “Let’s talk.”
“I don’t want to,” I replied, distancing myself further.
The leader smirked. “Why don’t you save yourself the trouble of bruising your perfect skin, darling, and come with us? We only want to ask you a few questions about your snowy top. Maybe show you a good time.”
Snowy top. Damn my luck.
These assholes were the queen’s men, and clearly they weren’t going to let me go. I needed to handle them, and fast.
I swung into action, charging straight for the largest man in the front, and hurling myself into the air, I flung my legs out feet-first and slammed into his chest. He fell back into the fae behind him with anoomph, but not before I pulled the sword from his belt and darted backward.
