The queen was hiding something.
And I was determined to uncover her secret.
I crept down the corridor toward her chambers, wrapping my magic around myself like a cloak. Invisibility tingled over my skin, the cool whisper of power making me shudder.
Very few knew about my fae magic. In the Winter Court, fae and humans mingled together, but humans were considered the lesser, weaker species. So, as the half-human princess, I was the scum of the court and was often scorned for my “tainted” bloodline. Most people wanted nothing to do with me.
They didn’t bother to ask whether my fae blood meant I possessed any gifts.
I thought of my father, who had been the only one to truly see me. He had died a year ago. I always suspected Calista had something to do with it, but I never found proof.
I hoped I would find it tonight.
A pair of maids shuffled past me, their arms full of folded linens, as they giggled together. I flattened myself against thewall, holding perfectly still. My invisibility was useful, but it didn’t stop me from making sounds or running into people.
As the maids rounded the corner, their laughter echoing in the hall, I eased off the wall and continued my trek toward Queen Calista’s rooms. I knew they were empty because she was currently dining with Sir Quinton and his wife. The two nobles had recently arrived in the Winter Court, and Sir Quinton was renowned for his fae gift of foresight. No doubt Calista wanted to dig in her claws and utilize his power for her own gain.
Calista’s fae gift was terrifying. With a single drop of a person’s blood, she had the power to control them. I had seen it firsthand.
Which was one of the reasons why she kept me locked away. She didn’t want me exposing her manipulative powers to the public.
Not that anyone would believe me, the human princess who was so loathsome that the queen kept her hidden from the kingdom.
I thanked the gods that Calista didn’t know about my fae magic; otherwise, she would have drawn my blood years ago and tried to control me. But there were benefits to being perceived as useless. It kept her away from me.
Holding my breath, I inched closer to her bedchamber door and rattled the doorknob.
Locked, of course. But I was prepared.
“Sybelle?” I whispered. Though my voice was only a breath, it still seemed to ring around me like a beacon alerting the world to my presence. I flinched, cramming my eyes shut, then waited.
A moment passed. Then another.
At long last, my friend’s voice brushed against my ear. “I’m here.”
I jumped, my gaze darting around the corridor in search of her. Squinting, I made out a faint, shadowy outline to my right. If I hadn’t been searching for it, I wouldn’t have noticed it at all. Sybelle stood next to me, her body camouflaged, allowing her to blend in completely with the stone wall behind her.
“Incredible,” I murmured, reaching out a hand to brush her arm. Everything from the color of her skin to the texture of her tunic resembled the wall.
She chuckled. “Not as incredible as your invisibility. I can’t see you at all.”
“Do you have the lock stone?” I asked.
The clinking of stones told me she was sifting through her pouch of gems. Sybelle, like me, was half fae and half human. Her fae magic allowed her to wield all kinds of powers depending on which gemstone she was holding. She recently told me she had discovered a black diamond that could open any lock.
“It’s here,” Sybelle said softly, then inched closer to Calista’s door. My heart thundered in my chest as she pressed the dark stone to the door handle. Metal shifted, and with aclick, the lock released. Sybelle tugged on the handle, then eased the door open, revealing a dark chamber.
My breath shuddered as I peered inside. The curtains were drawn, shrouding the room in darkness. Not even a candle was lit.
Oh yes, this place was certainly full of secrets.
“Thank you,” I whispered to Sybelle. “You should leave now.”
“Eira—”
I turned to face her, dropping my invisibility for a moment so she could see my intent gaze. “Imeanit. My stepmother cannot catch you here. It’s dangerous enough with you helping me. But if I’m caught, and the servants see you in your chambers, you’ll be absolved of any guilt. I can’t bring trouble to your court, Sybelle.”
She exhaled slowly. Though I couldn’t see her face, I knew her brows were drawn together in concern. She was the Queen of the Shadow Court. The only reason she was a welcome guest here at all was because her husband was one of the most powerful unseelie fae in the realm.
