Foxglove’s eyes widen. “Well, now, aren’t you clever!”
“There’s more. I don’t know if I did this correctly, but I tried to use the power of intent. When I said I’d accept my exile if the council allowed us to leave unharmed, my intent for the worduswas myself and my mother. That way, if it comes to begging Mr. Duveau to allow her and I to leave the isle, Amelie’s absence from the trial will have no bearing on the bargain.”
Foxglove’s lips pull into a wide grin.
“Did I do it right? The power of intent?”
“Yes, I believe you did. Very well done. However, you also promised you wouldn’t return if exiled.”
“And I’m willing to keep that promise,” I say. The thought alone makes my heart sink. “But, most importantly, was his side of the bargain. I agreed to all this in exchange for his promise that he and the council fae wouldn’t engage the rebels in violence so long as I remained on the isle. If all goes according to plan, and I’m able to stay in Faerwyvae forever, we’ll have an upper hand. The council won’t be able to attack us...ever.”
His mouth falls open. “Brilliant, Evelyn. Simply brilliant.”
“You think it will work? Did I leave too much room for interpretation?”
He tilts his head one way and another, as if weighing the various scenarios in his mind. “Depending on the exact words used, I don’t think that will stop the civil war from breaking out between the rebels and the council, but it will prevent them from engaging us first. They will only be able to attack on the defensive.”
“Then that’s enough for us to have an advantage, right?”
We arrive at my bedroom door and stop outside it. Foxglove grins. “My dear, I think you’re right. I could hug you if you weren’t covered in blood. Instead, I will have to settle for a goodnight. Will you be ready to leave in four days’ time?”
The blood drains from my face. It’s both too soon and not soon enough. I’m far from ready to face the council at the trial, and yet I’m eager to get this over with. To free my mother. To face my fate.
He continues, “You should arrive the day before her trial so you can get settled in. Well, I should say sowecan get settled in. I’m most certainly going with you.”
The statement surprises me from my frazzled thoughts. “But you represent Autumn, Foxglove. Why would you attend Mother’s trial with me?”
He squares his shoulders. “You will be Queen of Fire, my dear. It’s time you start acting like a royal. No fae queen would face the humans without an ambassador, and until you have one of your own, I am more than happy to play the part.”
“But...will Aspen even let you?”
He lets out a tittering laugh. “I assure you, I won’t have a choice in the matter. He’ll think it was his idea.”
I furrow my brow. “I’m not so sure. Things have been...strained between me and the king.”
His expression softens. “I know things aren’t exactly comfortable at the moment, but King Aspen cares for you unlike he’s ever cared for anyone. Trust me. You’ll work out whatever is amiss between you.”
My heart yearns to feel the optimism of his words as if it were my own, but I don’t allow myself to dwell on it. Instead, I shift the subject to more practical matters. “You’re certain you can manage not to tell him about our plan?”
“So long as he doesn’t ask, I don’t have to tell the truth, although,” he twists his fingers together in a nervous gesture, “I implore you to tell him the truth. If he had hope—”
“I don’t want his hope.” My tone comes out sharper than I intend. “I don’t want anyone’s hope right now. Not until I think this might actually work. If I can get the council to agree to my terms, then I’ll make our plan known. Until then, it’s folly.”
“Hope is never folly, Evelyn.”
I swallow hard, steeling my expression. “It is when it could break your heart.”
26
The next four days pass in a blur of anxious preparations. I hardly see a soul as I spend most of my time in my room going over every word I’ve prepared to say at Mother’s trial. Only Lorelei and Foxglove come to visit, and I try not to read too much into Aspen’s absence. Even the few times I’ve left my room to seek him out, he’s nowhere to be found. The doors to the throne room remain firmly closed throughout most of the day, and Foxglove tells me Aspen and the rebel allies are busy plotting their first move against the council fae.
Perhaps it’s for the best I haven’t spoken to Aspen. I’m still not sure what I intend to say when I finally do. Should I apologize? Yell? Force his lips onto mine until that spark returns between us?
Only one thing is clear: we’re running out of time. If I don’t see him soon, there’s a chance I might never see him again.
* * *
On the daywe are to depart on our journey to Grenneith, I’m an anxious mess. With pacing steps, I cross my room, rehearsing the terms of the bargain I’ll be presenting. I try to anticipate every argument the council could counter my proposal with, and plan out answers to those as well. It’s maddening and hopeless, and I just want this to be over already.
