Nix suddenly materializes, landing on my shoulder, breaking me from this uncomfortable topic. “I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
With a graceful leap from my shoulder, she hovers in front of me, her wings beating so quickly that golden fairy dust trails behind her, shimmering in the early morning light. She’s like a streak of liquid sunlight, the sight is breathtaking.
But the sparkle in her eyes dims as she crosses her arms, a pout forming on her lips. “Well, after the whole tiara thing, it just feels . . . stupid,” she mutters, looking away.
“Don’t be silly, Nix,” I say gently. “What is it?”
Nix huffs, her tiny cheeks puffing up as she releases a frustrated sigh. “I made you a jewel, like you asked,” she finally grumbles, though there’s a hint of pride in her voice.
“Wait . . . You actually did?” I blink, genuinely surprised.
She holds my gaze, her pout slowly giving way to a small, shy smile. “Yes, I did.”
After a long pause of just staring at her, curiosity gets the better of me. “Can I see it?”
“Right.” Her eyes light up as she waves her tiny hand. In a soft shimmer, a delicate rose quartz appears in her hand, no bigger than a penny, attached to a fine gold chain. The stone catches the light, glinting softly with hues of pink.
“It’s gorgeous, Nix,” I say, softly.
I reach out to cradle the pendant in my palm. It feels cool and smooth, almost like it’s humming with a faint magic all its own.
Nix preens a little, looking pleased with herself, though she tries to hide it behind a modest shrug.
“It has a purpose,” she adds cryptically.
I fiddle with the clasp and clip it around my neck with the crystal sitting in the middle of my chest.
“What do you mean?” My fingers run lightly over the crystal.
“Well, if you go missing, I can find you, so long as it is on your body.”
My eyes widen, and my mouth drops open. “You made me a tracker?”
Nix shrugs and grins, her razor-sharp teeth on full display. “I won’t be taking any chances with our soon-to-be queen.”
With those parting words, she flies off, heading back inside the castle.
“Is she not coming with us?”
“Raiden asked her to stay and keep watch,” Zaria replies as we descend the stairs, heading in the direction of the carriages.
Tucking some wayward hair behind my ear, I peer up at Asrai, who’s perched atop Zaria’s head. She’s watching me closely, her fingers moving in a fluid rhythm as she signs,‘Nix is the best at finding things out. I’m actually surprised she didn’t know about Kian.’Her dual-colored eyes blink thoughtfully.
I pause, letting go of Zaria’s arm, my hands moving carefully to respond. ‘Me too,’I sign back, holding Asrai’s gaze.‘But we all trusted him.’
Asrai’s expression shifts, something hesitant flickering in her eyes before she continues,‘Do you still trust him?’
Her question hangs heavy in the air, and I feel the weight of it settle over me. I exhale slowly, forcing myself to give an honest answer. My hands move a little slower this time. ‘If I reply emotionally, I’d say, definitely not. But if I’m honest—if I put my anger aside—I do trust him.’
Asrai studies me for a moment, her intense gaze softened by an understanding I didn’t expect.
“I wish you could teach me how to communicate with her,” Zaria says, her voice wistful.
Several gasps ripple through the gathering, drawing our attention. Looking around, my gaze lands on Queen Anwyn and Alivar, who stand only a few feet away, flanked by two high fae women and a male who stands a little taller than the rest. The queen’s deep purple eyes are fixed on me, narrowed with suspicion and maybe . . . a little curiosity.
“Are you speaking to that Willowroot?” Queen Anwyn demands, her tone sharp enough to cut through the air like a whip.
