I tightened my cloak, making sure that my dagger, the mushroom pieces, and the vials of poison I’d selected from Sansu’s stash were all tucked in the bodice of my black gown. Once I confirmed that I had everything I needed, I slipped into a pair of flat, black boots. Finally, I glanced at my reflection, and like every other time I’d looked in the mirror that day, I reared back slightly.
That morning, Hatter had suggested that I again use the aether to alter my hair. Teal, which had always been my favorite color, was also a hue of my mother’s royal line. While the Red Queen had never outright forbidden teal like she had white-blond hair, shehadchanged the colors to represent her reign. To wear teal might draw too much attention, so my locks were now a vibrant apple red. I was sure many others would be sporting the shade to butter up the queen, so red was safe, my best chance of blending in.
Satisfied that I looked the part of a noble fae going to a party, I made my way toward the great room. When I opened the door, my eyes widened.
As I expected, the guys and the pixies were present, all looking resplendent and dressed for a royal party. But other, unanticipated people milled around too. Everyone that had helped with our bandersnatch mission was there, plus many more.
Isadora stood out most, and when her eyes met mine, and her lips curled up in a small, sad smile, my heart nearly broke.
“What a surprise,” I said, because people were staring, waiting.
“We wanted to see you off,” the same little faerie from last night said. “Some of us are already in the streets, ready to create a diversion. The rest will join right after you go.”
“Thank you. We appreciate your help so much.” My voice grew thick, and I cleared it as heat crept into my cheeks.
What were these people doing to me? I was becoming an emotional mess!
It seemed that my verbal thanks wasn’t enough. Everyone wanted to hug me and wish our party well. The emotion in their faces shone plainly. Though they hoped we’d return, they feared we would not.
I worked through the embraces and handshakes, uncomfortable with so many touches, but recognizing their need for peace of mind. I wasn’t sure if we’d succeed, but I’d do my best to give them what I could.
“I wish you the best of luck, Princess,” Isadora said, clutching me tight. “Thank you for coming back, for taking the well-being of your people seriously. Many don’t realize who you are or what happened, but they will—once she’s gone, they’ll remember the past.”
She was the last to say goodbye, but the first person to sound so sure that we’d return.
“You deserve so much more than what you’ve been dealt,” I replied. “Stay safe. We’ll be back soon.”
Isadora pulled away, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “May the aether light your way.”
The moment I stepped onto the uneven cobblestone streets of Heartstown, I breathed freer.
I’d never enjoyed being an assassin, but unlike my pitiful efforts to comfort others, it was something I knew. The start of a mission, how it felt to know that I was coming for my mark, was etched deep into my psyche. And already, my body was responding. I was ready to end the Red Queen, ready to take my vengeance, find Elise, and start living life on my own terms.
“Let’s take the long way to the castle,” I suggested. “Give the distraction team time to get into place.”
The others agreed, and for a few minutes, we simply walked and watched city residents. The roses lining the street bloomed a bold red. Fae gossiped on every corner. Scents of fried meat filled my nostrils.
Life was going by as normal. No one even seemed to remember yesterday. Or they didn’t care. I shook my head, hoping more than anything that this apathy resulted from the enchantment upon the citizens of Heartstown.
The sounds of shouting pierced the air, and my spine straightened as adrenaline pumped through me.
“Do you think that’s them?” Sansu asked.
“Only one way to find out.” I nodded for Hatter to lead us to the castle.
He did so, and minutes later, I found myself standing just across the street from Heart Castle. Soldiers stood on the drawbridge at the mouth of the castle, checking invitations, while others lined every entrance and wall, like when I’d seen the palace from the air.
But there were differences, too. A few soldiers were sprinting down the street, away from the fortress, hopefully to deal with the distraction our friends had cooked up.
Alran pointed to a darkened store. “There’s a little alcove right in front of that shop. We can eat the mushroom there and won’t be too far from the gate.”
“We’ll be on the lookout,” Dee said, and as the larger fae jogged toward the alcove, the pixies got into position.
Once we were hidden, I pulled the chunk of mushroom that would make us smaller out of my right pocket. “Only a nibble. I’ll go first—just in case.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust the caterpillar; if he’d wanted to screw me over, he could have done so by simply sending me into the ocean where the kraken lived, instead of back to headquarters. My caution stemmed from the fact that I had no idea how much mushroom we would need to shrink. So it was only right that I play the guinea pig.
Carefully, I took a small bite, and passed the mushroom off to Hatter. A newly familiar sensation of shrinking came over me, slower this time, less jarring. Unlike in the tower, I didn’t freak out, just waited for it to stop.
