With a bow, he follows Aspen.
Once we’re alone, Estel slowly rounds the table to approach me. As she closes the distance between us, I’m forced to crane my neck to meet her eyes. As I do, the particles on her face shift into a somber expression, lips pulled down at the corners. “Thank you for supporting my stance regarding the Parvanovae,” she says.
“I’m thankful for you as well. I agree with everything you said. The technology is untested and could have detrimental effects we can’t even begin to imagine.”
“And I agree that not all humans are our enemies.”
I quirk a brow. “You’re neutral unseelie, then?”
She nods. “My sister was not, but in the end, even she regretted creating the Parvanovae after the war ended.”
“Then why didn’t she destroy it like she said she’d planned?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps she never was able to find a way to unmake it, only to transmute it like she’d planned with the wall.”
“Do you really think it will work? Moving the wall and infusing an enchantment with the energy of the star bomb?”
“Once I find my sister’s blueprints, I’ll know for sure.” Her gaze shifts from me to the crate on the table. “I will take it off your hands if you believe it is safer with me. However, I hate to admit I fear it being anywhere within reach of other fae.Anyother fae.”
Her words skirt around the truth, but I can read beneath what she’s left unsaid. She’s afraid of what would happen if even one of our allies got hold of it.
“I’ll keep it here,” I say, despite the nausea that turns my stomach at the thought of the bomb being in such close proximity for even a minute longer. “So long as you’re certain no other Chariot is in possession by the humans.”
She tilts her head at the two travel devices—hers and the one the human had—still resting next to the crate. “That was the only one. But are you certain humans won’t try to take it another way?”
I bite my lip, considering that. As unlikely as it is that humans would try to infiltrate my court and palace on foot and without means of immediate travel, the possibility exists. And with all those iron weapons…
An idea forms in my mind, a way to prevent humans and fae alike from getting to the weapons room. Even better, it ties in so well with the deception we’ve planned for the Renounced. My lips pull into a tight smile. “I think I know what to do about that.”
“Very well,” Estel says. “I shall leave it with you.” She reaches across the table and takes up the two Chariots, brow furrowed as she studies them. After a few moments, she extends a hesitant hand, palm up to reveal the slightly more beat-up Chariot, the one that had belonged to Mr. Duveau. “I think you should keep this as well.”
My fingers tremble as I take it from her. “Why?”
“It was gifted to forge the treaty,” she says. “It makes sense it should now belong to the one who has broken it.”
I study the silver disc, flipping open the cover to reveal the golden light of the orb and the crystals surrounding it. “I don’t know how to use it,” I say as I snap it shut and try to hand it back to her.
She gives a dismissive shrug, making no move to take it back. “Like all magic, it’s fueled by your intent. Simply open it and think of a place you’ve already been that you would like to go.” Her face shifts into a smile. “Accept my gift, Queen Evelyn. I’ve come to trust you. I hope you trust me too.”
As loathe as I am to trust much of anyone right now, I must admit this meeting has changed my suspicions about her. She might be the only one on the Alpha Alliance, aside from Aspen and Nyxia, that I trust at all. I match her smile and close my fingers over the Chariot. “Thank you, Estel.”
* * *
I openthe door to the royal chamber, surprised when I find it empty. Before the meeting, I’d left my sister here with Foxglove, Lorelei, and Breeda. I hadn’t ordered Amelie to remain in the room, only to stay at Lorelei’s side. They must have found elsewhere to await the end of the meeting.
Just as well, I suppose, considering what I hold in my hand.
Safe from prying eyes, I stalk the perimeter of the room, looking for a place to keep the Chariot. When I accepted the gift, my first instinct was to hide it in the weapons room with the Parvanovae, but I remembered what Estel had said about it needing to be charged by starlight after it’s used. If there’s ever a chance I want to operate it, I need to place it somewhere beneath the open sky. But where won’t it be in danger of being stolen?
I move to the windows and open the golden shutters. Leaning slightly over one of the ledges, a terra cotta window box catches my eye. I look down the row of other windows and see each hosts a similar rectangular box, all filled with tiny green succulents and miniature cacti with orange and purple blooms. I hadn’t noticed them last night, but their inconspicuous design makes them the perfect hiding place for the Chariot. Carefully tucking the disc beneath a spiky, green limb—
“Oooh, what’s that, Your Majesty?”
I jump back, sticking myself on several spikes in the process, as Breeda hovers before me. “Do not sneak up on me.” My words come out much harsher than I intend, and I bring my tender finger to my mouth to soothe where I’d been poked.
The little sprite’s expression falls, her red flames dimming to a pink. “Oh, Most Beautiful Gracious Majesty, I truly didn’t mean to! I saw the meeting was over and came to find you.”
I sigh, forcing the fire to retreat from my veins. “It’s all right, Breeda,” I say with more composure. “Next time, state your presence if I’ve yet to acknowledge you.”
