“I wonderhow many people know about the attack last night.” I slip my arm through Zadyn's as we make our way into the Grand Hall.
“Not many, it seems,” he mutters.
Our eyes ghost over the blissfully unaware sea of heads gathered for the feast. Not a fae in this room seems to be on alert for any potential lurking threat.
Zadyn stayed in my bed last night, shifting back into hisOrCatform in case of another attack. Even with the comfort of his company, I didn’t sleep a wink, my mind occupied by brutal monsters and the sight of Jace on his knees, his life a moment from forfeit. I had hoped to see him this morning, but he sent word that he would be indisposed with the king for most of the day, no doubt regarding last night’s ambush.
Zadyn and I snuck away from the castle this morning to hunt for Furi. I didn’t dare take her out of the cave with a possible threat lurking in the woods. She took an instant liking to Zadyn, who literally had her eating out of the palm of his hand. She purred for him like a kitten, the little flirt. He was just as enchanted by my beastly pet.
“I know that whatever I did when I screamed last night blasted them apart”—I look up at Zadyn—“but I doubt we’ve seen the last of those creatures. My gut is telling me that this wasn’t just a one-off.”
“I agree. We need to be on high alert.”
We descend the steps into the hall. Half the entourage is seated at one of the red velvet booths in the corner, looking worse for wear. They bear the same sullen expression, clearly having had as rough a time sleeping last night as I did. I notice that Jace, Sorscha, and, of course, Ilsa are not in attendance.
“Any word on Ilsa?” I slide in beside Marideth, who shakes her head.
“Nothing.” She sighs wistfully, her chin propped on herhand. “I don’t understand. She has to be out there in that maze. She couldn’t have just disappeared.”
I shake my head, silently rolling through the list of things that could have happened to her. If any of those creatures got past us and took her…I don’t want to consider the alternative to her being perfectly fine and in one piece.
“Where are Jace and Sorscha?” I ask her discreetly.
“Who knows? I haven’t seen Jace since last night, and Sorscha was called to see the king late this afternoon. She said she would meet us here.” Her sharp gray eyes do a quick scan of the room for the princess.
“I don’t see the king, either.” I note the three empty thrones behind the massive head table set up for the feast.
Kai leans across the booth. “I heard a rumor that my brother and the king were locked in a meeting last night until the earliest hours of the morning.” He gives us a conspiratorial look and sips his drink. Cece turns to him.
“Where did you hear that, Kai?”
“I have spies everywhere, sweet Ceec,” he says, dark charm coloring his voice. She rolls her eyes.
“A meeting without his advisors?” Zadyn asks incredulously.
“Apparently. The captain was the only one asked to sit in.” Kai slumps back lazily, one arm draped over the cushion behind Cece’s abounding curls.
Something about all of this strikes me as odd. Secretive.
“You’re looking particularly bewitchingthis evening, Lady Accostia.” Kai assesses me keenly.
“Be more obvious, Kai,” Mar mutters.
“What, like anyone’s around to hear?” he says facetiously, tossing a glance toward the massive crowd gathered for the reception. Mar and I shake our heads, not in the mood for his idea of a joke.
With all that happened last night, I nearly forgot about the shattered glamour.
As soon as Zadyn and I made it back to my room, I dashed over to the mirror, terrified I would find a stranger looking back at me.
“It’s alright.” He laid a gentle hand on my shoulder, seeing my horror reflected. “The difference is barely noticeable.”
Maybe to him.
I turned my face from side to side, marveling at how my tan skin caught the candlelight. There was a slight sheen to it, almost as if the cells contained barely-there facets of glitter. Like the dust of a star had rained down upon my skin, kissing it with celestial brilliance. I was no Edward Cullen, but if I wasn’t already sure that I was superhuman, this would be enough to convince me.
My chocolate brown hair had deepened a shade and now hung to my hips, the shine so reflective it was nearly blinding. The slight shift in color made me look dramatic, contouring the hollows of my face to look sharp and structured. I was still me, but different. Enhanced. Alluring.
I trailed my fingers along my smooth skin, over the remaining arch of my ears, over my perfectly proportioned lips. In place of canines stood two tiny, razor-sharp fangs.
