I return my attention to Ustrin in time to see him close his eyes with a violent tremble. He rolls his neck, then faces Nyxia. “Stop that already.”
Nyxia gives him a devious grin, shadows thickening around her. “Why? Afraid of the dark?”
Ustrin continues to tremble as he turns his palm to the ceiling. This time, a blood-red flame emerges. With a snap of his fingers, it disappears.
Nyxia falters, eyes widening. “What was that?”
“That one went to your palace. If it doesn’t find you there shortly after it arrives, it will set your home ablaze, starting with wherever your dear brother can be found. I’d hurry if I were you.”
Her shadows retreat, eyes locking on mine.
“Go,” I whisper.
With a nod, she transforms into her shadow form and streams from the chamber.
King Ustrin lets out a long breath, the tremors gone, and straightens his cravat and jacket. “What about you, King Aspen? Care to leave or stay?”
“I’m staying,” he says through his teeth, body pressing close to my side.
“Will you let his people free once we’re done talking?” I ask.
“So long as I am unharmed. If I were you, I’d make no move against me.” He gestures to his guards. I flinch, but they don’t come for me. Instead, they move further into the chamber to form a ring around the fire fae.
Ustrin looks from the crowd to me, a sneer on his lips. “I must say, I was quite affronted when word spread throughout the forest tonight that you sought a meeting withmycitizens. Did you really think you could steal my people?”
“They are living in Lunar,” I say. “They are no longer your people.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve been given new rights by the Council of Eleven Courts. It is my duty to bring the fire fae back to the Fire Court. There they will be tamed and taught to free themselves from their savage ways.”
Growls rumble through the chamber. A fennec snaps at one of the guards, earning a swift kick. My heart twists as the tiny fox yelps, then falls on its side.
I round on the king. “You’re one to talk about savage ways.”
He ignores my scorn as well as the increasing growls and threats and flames coming from the fire fae. “They’re armed with iron,” he says. The crowd falls into stunned silence. “Each guard carries stone grenades filled with iron shards. Step out of line and I will order their detonation.”
Iron grenades. The very thought churns my stomach. I saw what kind of damage explosives can do to the fae, and those didn’t contain iron. But wait. The explosion would...
“Won’t that hurt you too?” I ask. “And your guards?”
“I will be safe from its radius,” King Ustrin says, keeping his voice low.
I don’t lower mine to meet his, allowing it to carry. “But you’ll sacrifice your guards.”
He clenches his jaw. “They understand the risks. They know what they are fighting for.”
I cross my arms and take a bold step forward. “So do we.”
He lets out a burst of laughter. “Who’s thiswe? Do you honestly think you’ve won their allegiance?”
I purse my lips to keep from saying something foolish. The truth is, he’s probably right. The meeting didn’t go anywhere near how I wanted it to go.
King Ustrin’s posture relaxes. “Speaking of, that’s why I came here to speak with you. It’s time for you to remove yourself from the isle like you were supposed to. Your presence is a threat to the treaty—”
“You mean a threat to your rule.”
His eyes flash dangerously. “—And it prevents the Council of Eleven Courts from engaging the rebels in combat. I can see your bargain with me was far cleverer than I gave you credit for. I should make you pay for your deception. Instead, I offer you a private escort off the isle.”
I raise a brow. “A private escort? With Mr. Duveau? Please. I’ll take the alternative.”
