As we walked, we passed parts of the castle that were open to the elements. A hole in the ceiling let in the falling snow and winter chill. I looked up as I went beneath and shuddered.
“Why hasn’t that been fixed?”
The soldier turned, eyebrows arched. “The curse.”
“That prevents repairs?”
“That and our lack of coin.” His tone dipped into annoyance.
We walked the rest of the way in silence and when he stopped at a door, I blinked. “No guards on watch?”
“They don’t need them.” He pounded on the door.
“Yes?” a male voice answered on the other side.
“The princess is here.”
“Let her in.”
He opened the door for me to enter. Ready for whatever may come, I stepped through and found myself in a small dining room that was in better shape than much of the rest of the castle. The dining table in the center was meant forintimate gatherings of six people, though today only three others were present around the circle.
One I recognized: The archer, again dressed in plain, black clothing suitable for traveling or working. I studied her, and she did the same to me, until the eye contact made me uncomfortable, and I moved on. Next to the archer sat a female faerie. The white streak in her brown hair told me she was older. The last took up the archer’s other side. He was a male, his dark brown skin gleaming in the candle light. Bread, cheese, and cut roasted meat decorated the middle of the table.
“Princess Neve,” the male said, golden eyes flashing. “Please sit.”
I did so, taking the place across from the archer.
The older female leaned closer, a small smile playing on her lips. “It’s good of you to come. I’m sorry that you had to be detained, but you’ll understand that we must be careful.”
“I do,” I said, though I’d been furious to be caged, and more so when the rebels took Anna, I did understand. “So you’re the leader of the rebellion?”
The faerie laughed; the tone airy. “By the dead gods! No, Princess. As delighted as I am to be thought royal, I’m just Brynhild, an advisor.”
The soldier who led me here had said the leader was a she. Which meant that it was the archer . . . But she was so young. Around my age. Shocked as I was, I did not let it show on my face.
“Nice to meet you.” My attention turned to the male next, wanting to leave the younger female for last, if onlybecause she’d been so rude when I was caged. He held himself with a powerful bearing. “And you?”
“Bac. Named for a river near my home city. A pleasure to meet you, Princess Neve.”
“The pleasure is mine.” No longer able to put off the inevitable, I locked eyes with the archer. A shiver darted down my spine. As ever, her ice-blue eyes reminded me of King Magnus. “And will I finally be able to put a name to the fae who tried to kill me?”
She stared back at me, the corner of her lips pulling up so slightly. Then, the leader of the rebels leaned forward to rest her elbows on the table.
“I suppose I should apologize for that day in the theater, shouldn’t I, sister dearest?”
Chapter 25
VALE
Many eyes followed us as we trailed our armed escort through the corridors of Valrun Castle.
“Bleeding skies, we’re an attractive bunch, but you’d think they’d bea littleless obvious about it,” Thantrel spoke loudly, inviting a reaction.
A few fae looked away. Some scowled. Most merely continued to stare.
Not only was an Aaberg prince in rebel territory, but the Riis brothers—with their red hair, fiery wings, and two larger-than-life personalities—never failed to draw attention. It would only be worse if Rynni had joined us in going to the dining hall, but the dragon healer had remained in the annex with Caelo, who was not completely healed yet and had wished to rest.
“I hope there’s meat today,” Anna said wistfully.
