Anxiety slithers up my spine and my hand grips Nox’s more tightly as we make our way down the stairs, passing a stoic Barron as we do.
“Is she alright?” I ask.
Cass’ response is slow to come. “She’s dead.”
When we reach the bottom, more guards than I have ever seen before form a barricade blocking the foyer from being accessed by anyone coming from the gardens or the main entrance. A wall of blue magic further separates the guards from something—someone—in the space they are surrounding.
Sadryn stands next to Councilman Hadrik and another guard, the latter’s hand resting firmly on the hilt of his sword. When the king spots us coming towards him, he holds up ahand, and Nox halts our steps. Murmuring something to the councilman, he makes his way around the somber guards, the room silent other than the occasional shuffling of feet.
Nox is the first to speak to his father. “What’s going on?”
Sadryn’s eyes move to me, his gaze softening as he leans in. “Are you sure you want to see this?”
I nod my head as Nox drops his voice lower and asks again, “What is it?”
Sadryn motions for us to follow him with a tilt of his head. He guides us past the guards to where the blue magic is glowing. With a flick of his hand, the magic disappears, and lying before us, frail body pale against the black stone floors, is a woman with brown hair. She looks emaciated, as if the life has been sucked out of her, leaving her just skin and bone. Her cheeks are concave, her pale lips dried out, but there’s something about her that strikes me as familiar.
My gaze draws over her outfit, the gray color of her dress and the white apron that covers it. Though dirty and tattered, the clothing too plucks at a memory. There’s a note attached to the front of her apron, and I lean in a little closer to read what it says.
I warned you.
Ice churns in my blood as my eyes move to Nox’s. Anger and sadness war within them, and his hand trembles with restraint in mine. I look back to the woman, at her delicate fingers and finer features. The truth strikes me, a jagged dagger sawing at my bones, as I gasp. “Tienne?”
Nox nods, having already come to that conclusion.
“Oh my gods, why does she look like that?” Had my uncle been starving her? Or was this the consequence for crossing over the Spell?
“The Cruel Death,” Nox says somberly, his free hand running through his hair as Cass and Sadryn give him their attention. “This is what someone who has the Cruel Death looks like.”
Sadryn nods, but his jaw ticks, disquiet tightening his features. “She crossed over the Spell and somehow made her way here. Given her condition, it seems nearly impossible that she didn’t have help.” Nox stiffens as he takes a step closer to me.
The guards break their formation, dark leather armor with metal details gleaming under the massive tiered chandelier above, to let Councilman Kallin and Daje through. The former stares down at Tienne, a flash of what looks like disgust quickly rolling over his face before he schools it back to neutral. I grit my teeth together when he meets my gaze with a dismissive glance.
Looking down at Tienne again, my heart drops into my stomach as I remember just how kind she was to me. How she and Erica brought me dresses and gave me all those gifts. How they helped make sure I had my satchel and boots. Was Erica alright? Why had Tienne crossed the Spell? How had she known to comehere?
Nox releases my hand to wrap his arms around me, his body blocking Tienne from my view as he moves us a few steps away.
“He did this because of me,” I say only loud enough for him to hear, conscious of the ears around us. Tears burn my eyes when I meet Nox’s concerned gaze. “He—” A held back sob ravages my throat, and Nox places a hand on the back of my head and holds me to his chest.
“Not just you, Sunshine. I knew Tienne too,” he rasps, leaning his head down to speak closer to my ear. “She knew I was visiting you, I think. She somehow seemed to know everything that was happening in the palace. I wonder if King Dolian found out just how involved she was.”
“Perhaps the lady should not be here,” Councilman Kallin says, assuming me to be distraught merely over the sight of adead body. Nox’s magic thickens around us, his head snapping over his shoulder as he snarls at Daje’s father.
“Son, I think we should act as if the threat is still active. We still don’t know how this woman managed to cross the Spell in her condition. How she ended up so close to the palace. It might be a good idea for you both to go back upstairs and—”
“We should have a meeting about this, Your Majesty. One His Highness needs to be a part of. If this is a targeted attack against him for his time spent in the Mortal Kingdom, then we will need a thorough breakdown of everything he knows,” Councilman Kallin implores. Daje adjusts awkwardly on his feet as he stares down at Tienne’s body.
The king nods, if a bit reluctantly, and Nox sighs as he turns to Cass. “Can you bring Rhea up to our room and stay with her?”
Cass, having gotten his sword somehow, reaches out a hand for me, but Sadryn intercepts him by stepping between us. “Until we have the full details of what happened, I want you to be protected at all times.”
“I can take care of myself just fine. Cass is more useful with Rhea.”
But Sadryn shakes his head, a protective gleam shining in his eyes. He may rule this kingdom, but he’s a parent first and foremost. This has shaken him enough that he wants to make sure Nox is properly guarded, and I can’t say that I blame him. I feel Nox’s magic rising while his father gives him a warning look.
“I’ll go with her.” All eyes move to Daje as he carefully walks around Tienne’s body until he’s at our side. “If it’s alright, I’ll stay with her until you’re finished.”
“Daje, you have your own duties—”
