I glance out the window, where the top of Faith Tower is just visible. “Ask Rian, then.”
Kendan starts, blinking hard. “Rian Valvere?”
Basten gives me an odd look, as though I might have bumped my head.
“I’m not suggesting we pardon him,” I say flatly. “As far as I’m concerned, he should remain a prisoner indefinitely. But we also have to be practical. He’s aresource. No one knows this city’s safe houses like Rian does. He could lead you straight to their hiding places.”
“Thay may be true,” Kendan admits, “but it’s risky to let him out into the city on his own, even with guards.”
“I’ll go with him,” Basten says.
Both Kendan and Suri sputter at the same time. Suri then garbles, “Basten, you can’t! You’re the king!”
“Lady Suri has a point, Majesty,” Kendan agrees. “You can’t put yourself at risk hunting down criminals. Besides, your face is well known. Step into the Sin Streets, and you’ll be swarmed with your subjects asking for your favor.”
“I’ll wear a mask,” he says, his hard voice leaving no room for debate. “But if we’re letting that cur out of his kennel, I’m damn sure holding his leash.”
Kendan still looks like he has doubts, so I raise my hands.
“It’s good to hear progress on recovery efforts,” I say, “However, I called this meeting because I’ve become aware of a possible threat—the Fae Court was considering attacking Astagnon.”
Suri jumps up, alarmed. “What?”
I quickly lift my hands higher for calm. “It’s okay—I struck a fae bargain. I promised we would provide events worthy of the gods, that will stir the public’s adoration. Now, we just have to make good on that bargain. And I think I know how.”
Kendan and Suri exchange concerned looks. Matron White gnaws on the inside of her cheek, glancing out the window as if a bolt of Vale’s fey will shoot down from the sky at any moment.
Only Basten keeps his eyes on me. “How?”
“Games,” I say, my eyes lighting up. “We hold two days of Fae Games for the masses. We’ll do a recreation of the Ride of Night and Day. Meric’s Labyrinth in the Hedge Maze. Goldenclaw rides for children.”
They stare at me, but I push forward.
“It’s about ritual,” I explain. “And repetition. Re-enacting legends of old, again and again, gives them power. That’s what people love most about the fae. The stories. So, we’ll bring the stories to life for them. Remind them why they should embrace the fae, not fear them.”
I feel a little breathless as I gaze between their faces.
Certainty brims in my chest—I know this idea will work. Because it isn’t my idea at all.
You need a reason to make the public care, Rian said when I went to see him in the Coffin. From the other side of the bars, his eyes lit up.To make them forget their fear. Only their wonder.
“I…think that could work,” Suri says, her eyes lighting up. “In fact, that’s brilliant! Just like the Theatrics we saw in Duren of the Night Hunt. I’ve never seen people so riveted.”
“It’s one thing,” Kendan points out, “to entertain the masses with actors and pantomimes. But what happens when the real fae arrive, and it’s no longer a game?”
My stomach curls. I wrap my fingers around the book’s edges. “That’s where this comes into play.”
I set the book on the table. They all lean forward, curious. There’s no title on the cover, so Suri carefully flips the parchment pages to the first one.
She gasps. “TheLast Return of the Fae? The second volume? You found it! Where was it?”
I skirt her question and flip through more of the pages, showing them the handwritten text.
“It’s only partially written in the Old Tongue. I’ve translated a few portions already. Once I can figure out the other language, I’ll finish translating the final part, about how to put the fae back to sleep. Then, when my father and the court arrive, we’ll give them the opportunity to do the right thing. There’s a real chance that having their blessings could do great things for Astagnon, if they set their intentions toward it, instead of pure selfishness. If they don’t, we’ll have the threat of putting them back to sleep to keep them in line.”
Suri doesn’t look at me as she whispers, “But youareone of them, Sabby.”
My eye twitches. “I care about the people of this kingdom.”
