My mother side-eyes her but continues sewing.
“And also you, Eloisa. I owe you my apology as well.”
“At least you warded me against that—” Mother waves her hand at the sun, then sighs. “What I wouldn’t give for some fireflies and a candle right now.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“That’s enough of that.” My mother returns to her work, just as she’s always done.
“It’s all right.” I stand and go to Lunarie even though Lucidia is staring acid at the high fae. “Rise, Lunarie. Come now.” I take her hand and help her to her feet.
“I’m so sorry. Truly.” Her eyes are puffy, as if she’s been crying for quite some time.
“I believe you. I know why you cursed him. Your intentions were good. Your results were—”
“Treasonous,” Lucidia supplies.
Mother smirks and finishes her stitching.
“I know. It was misguided. I thought it would lead him away from Gwen, but instead it blinded him to you.” She wipes at her tears. “I wasn’t lying when we had tea. I liked you, and I never wanted Gwen to hurt you. I should’ve stopped her.”
I take her at her word. “I’ve never had a sister, but I can guess that things aren’t exactly cut and dried when it comes to what goes on between you two.”
“It’s not. And that’s why I’m here now.” She’s shaking, her perfectly upturned nose dribbling a bit before Lucidia hands her a kerchief. She wipes her face, then meets my eyes again. “I’m here for Gwen. The king told me you are to decide her fate.”
“I am.”
“And I don’t expect you would be inclined to grant her mercy?” Her words are tinged with hope and underscored with despair.
“She sold me at auction to the king’s brother, who then kidnapped me and tried to force a mating between us.”
“She what?” My mother gets to her feet, hands on her hips. “Where is this Gwen? I’d like to have a few words.”
“I’m all right.” I shake my head at her.
She doesn’t back down. “Go on then, give us your plea for mercy.”
With my mother on one side and Lucidia on the other, this is a particularly tough crowd, but Lunarie doesn’t falter.
“I know she’s been absolutely awful.” She wipes her tears again. “She’s been unkind to me as well. But she’s my sister. My only one, and I can take her far away from here. She’ll never trouble you again.”
“Where would you go?”
“To the bog.” Lunarie brightens at my question.
“The bog is dangerous, especially for hoity toity high fae like yourself,” Lucidia says.
“We’ll be safe there. I can take her now, leave the Shard behind and never claim our noble title again. We’ll simply be two sisters of the day realm.”
“How can she trust you after what you’ve done?” Mother is indignant as she helps me into my gown. With careful hands, she threads my wings through the holes she’d sewn. It fits perfectly.
“I know it’ll be hard to trust me, so I will swear by the magic.”
“You can manipulate magic like very few who’ve come before.” Lucidia stares her down. “I don’t believe I’d trust it.”
“What about Brunilla?” I ask.
She smiles at the mention of her name. “We will see each other. We have ways.”
