Her lips twist. “His knowledge of our culture saved him—and your siblings. Since he requested amnesty, we were obliged to take them all to Queen Karasi. In our culture, she alone can grant amnesty.”
Although the presence of fae in these lands is a surprise to me, the existence of a queen isn’t completely startling.
When I was interrogating Thaden Kane before he became my ally, he talked of growing up in the village calledMyrkur Fjall, which meansin the mountain’s shadow. He described it as a harsh place with barren ground in which it was difficult to grow crops, but he and his father had found shelter there from the war that had raged farther north.
The war between feuding queens.
The Queen that Elowynn now speaks of must surely be one of them. Particularly as Elowynn referred to her as the ‘rightful’ Queen, implying she has a greater claim to the throne.
Elowynn continues. “Queen Karasi granted your family her protection.”
“Against your counsel,” I murmur.
Her jaw clenches. “Your siblings requested that Queen Karasi extend her protection to you, which she also granted.” Elowynn’s focus flickers to Dusana and Bethoc before her voice becomes hard. “It’s a decree she can reverse at any time.”
Naturally.
Elowynn’s gaze moves to the Vandawolf. “Your family didn’t mention you would have someone else with you.”
“They didn’t know,” I say.
“Well, whateverthatcreature is, it’s up to our Queen if he lives or dies.”
I stare back at her, fighting a resurgence of rage, but beneath it is a feeling that I hate more than my wrath.
It’s a growing emptiness.
My hope of helping the Vandawolf was stripped away and now… There’s a chance I can reach my sister after all, but I doubt it will be in time.
I don’t want this new hope, only to have it torn from me again.
“Since that creature is clearly with you,” Elowynn says, “it is not permissible for us to harm him until Queen Karasi makes her decision.”
“Man!” I snap. “He also is a man, and too late! They already tried to kill him.”
My eyebrows draw down as I cast a glare in the direction of Dusana and Bethoc. It’s curious to me that the other fae haven’t tried to retrieve their fallen brethren yet, but perhaps, it’s because I’m in the way and, unlike Dusana and Bethoc, Elowynn seems to have a healthy respect for my power.
In response to my statement, her eyes widen and her cheeks flush. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she looks angry about it. “That should not have happened.”
My lips twist. “You assumed I attacked them and not the other way around.”
Elowynn clears her throat, but she doesn’t respond to my accusation. “I’ve explained myself as you asked. Now, you need to make a decision: Accept amnesty and come with us, or refuse our Queen’s protection and suffer the consequences.”
I have a decision to make but no real choices.
Elowynn could be lying. She might have killed Thaden and my siblings. I can’t possibly trust the outwardly smooth appearance of her features because…
I recognize the mask she’s wearing.
I have worn it.
A mask so complete that it allowed me to shut myself off from everything bad in my life. It allowed me to show only the emotions I wassupposedto show, not what I was truly feeling.
I started wearing it the day I picked up a hammer and failed to access my power. I wore it for my parents and for the other Blacksmiths during my childhood years. I wore it for the humans for whom I killed monsters.
I wore it for the Vandawolf for a very long time… Until I didn’t.
But I also consider what I know about Gallium, Tamra, and Thaden.
