“Calista can use you as leverage against her,” I argued. “And me.”
Frisk’s ears drooped. After a moment of silence, he said, “I didn’t realize you cared, hunter.”
“Yes, well, you and Eira are a lot alike. You work your way into someone’s skin, and by the time you realize you care, it’s too late to change your mind.” My voice was gruff, but Frisk’s nose twitched, his eyes shining as if he saw right through my grumbling.
“I’ll rally reinforcements,” Frisk said. “Just remember, you aren’t alone. Neither of you are.”
I nodded as he darted away, grateful the small creature wouldn’t be put in harm’s way. At least not right now.
With a deep breath, I pushed open the doors and strode into the throne room.
Sure enough, Calista was waiting for me, sitting atop her throne with her glistening silver crown resting on her bronze hair. Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she surveyed me.
How had I ever believed this woman was seelie? Everything about her marked her as a demon, from her skeletal features to her blood-red lips.
I knew now that not all unseelie fae were monstrous. But this woman was.
I approached her slowly, my body on high alert, tense as I awaited whatever ambush she had planned.
Then, I noticed Eira’s prone figure lying at Calista’s feet, her long curls sprawled around her. Her eyes were closed, and her skin was paler than death. The patches of green spots were visible on her skin—her arms, neck, face… Everywhere. It was no longer just condensed to one arm.
The poison had spread.
Anger and panic spiraled in my chest, and it took every ounce of my restraint to keep from rushing to her side.
She’s alive,I reminded myself.Her thread is still intact. She’s alive.
“Well, dear hunter,” Calista crooned, crossing one leg over the other, her expression almost lazy. “It hasn’t been that long since we last saw each other, but things have certainly changed, haven’t they?”
I lifted my chin, refusing to rise to her taunting. “Yes. They have.”
Calista waved an idle hand toward Eira. “Her life is mine. I suggest you say your goodbyes while she still breathes.”
“What have you done to her?” Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t keep the growl out of my voice.
Her thin lips spread into a satisfied smile, as if she’d caught me. “I have poisoned her.”
I shook my head. “Demon Fae poison doesn’t work that fast.”
Calista’s smug expression slipped for the briefest of seconds, and I stifled a chuckle. She didn’t realize I knew her secret.
Perhaps she thought the truth would die with Eira.
Oh, how wrong she was.
“This isn’t the first time she was poisoned, you know,” Calista said, clicking her tongue in dismay. “It happened years ago. It’s uncanny how she seems to attract the worst sorts of creatures, don’t you think?”
A bitter taste filled my mouth as I recalled the green splotches on Eira’s arm. The poison had been slowly working through her body for years. And now, with more of the queen’s poison working through her system, she likely only had moments left.
“Apparently, the Demon Fae cursed her with their poison, enacting a spell that would prevent her from healing,” Calista went on. “Somehow, she’s kept the poison at bay this whole time. But with another dose of it, it’s spreading even faster. It won’t be long now. Soon, my court will be rid of the rogue princess for good.”
“No.” My heart was seizing in my chest. It couldn’t just beover.
Eira couldn’t die. Not like this. Not now.
“Thisisa delightful sight,” Calista said with another laugh. “I don’t often shock you, Theron, but when I do, it is a real treat.” She clapped her hands together as if she were watching a performance instead of gloating over poisoning her stepdaughter.
Bile crept up my throat. I couldn’t breathe. Oh gods. Ohgods…
