Both of them nodded and I released their feet fully from the ice magic. The two male faedropped to their knees, white furs spilling out around them.
“It is our honor,” one of them said in a thick accent.
I gave them both a wave, turning to join my family. We walked through a small stretch of woods that opened up into a courtyard of the dark stone castle. As we moved toward the moat that ran around the castle, a huge billow of smoke caught my attention.
“Kade…” I said slowly.
He followed my line of sight and then the four of us started to run. We crossed over the bridge, heading toward the main part of the town, where their markets had been held. The acrid scent of smoke was strong in the air, and it was starting to get hot. Which was more than a little noticeable in the Winter Court.
When the huge fire finally came into view, I was alarmed at the sight of papers, books, and other things stacked high in the center of the flames. Kade’s hand was resting on his sword, preparing for whatever battle was next, but then we both saw Shelley and Kian at the front of the blaze. They looked fine. In fact, everyone here looked well. I would even go as far as to say there was a sense of joy in the crowd of fae tossing objects into the fire. One woman clutched a painting of the winter queen.
“Ari! Kade!” Shelley gave a shout of delight, running over to greet us, Kian right behind her.
I gave them both a quick hug. Kian and Kade bro-embraced for a few moments too, and then Shelley launched into an explanation of what was going on here. “The winter queen made it mandatory that every household have a picture of her hanging over their mantle. The majority are thrilled she’s dead and are openly denouncing her rule. Only a few had to be … detained.”
Whew, that was a huge weight off my shoulders. I didn’t have a riot on my hands.
“There’s more,” Kian interrupted, bestowing an adoring look on his mate. “Shelley’s been busy using her talent to interrogate the castle staff, and we finally unearthed something that might help. Apparently, the queen has a sister. She was locked away years ago because they disagreed about how to rule over the winter people.”
I sucked in a deep breath, considering the wide-reaching possibilities if this was true. I didn’t want to get my hopes up yet. There was so much we didn’t know. But a part of me couldn’t help but feel excited.
“Did you find her? Is she fit to rule?” I asked, forcing my voice to remain calm. This would be the perfect solution to all of my problems. If I could assess her and make sure she didn’t inheritthe evil gene, then maybe she could rule the Winter Court.
“The spells surrounding her are too strong,” Shelley told me. “I wasn’t able to even get to the door without being pushed back.”
Well, luckily, breaking spells was my specialty. “Take me to her, please.”
Shelley and Kian nodded, and with one last look at the fire-happy fae, we all moved away from the flame-filled marketplace. Shelley led us around the back side of the castle, which was quite a walk since the structure was so large. I took the time while we strolled to really observe everything. Last time I was here, there was no time to do anything but run, be captured, and fear for my life. It was nice to take in the harsh beauty of this fae court — my heritage.
I glanced across at Violet, worried that the memories of being here might be getting to her, but she looked calm. The magical essence surrounding her also seemed calm. My friend was finally healing. Piece by piece, day by day, she was finding her way back to me.
On the far side of the castle there was a barren land. Even the trees seemed to have abandoned the area; all that was left were a few spindly, dead-looking plants. And a single stone hut. It was a square, squat building of dark stone, black ivy climbing the sides.
As soon as we approached the hut, Violet put a hand up to stop us.
“This is dark magic,” she said. We were about ten feet from the building. Violet took another step in, holding both of her hands up. I followed her actions, running my hands along the inky tendrils of the spell that surrounded the dwelling.
A greenish iridescent bubble appeared before us, highlighting the perimeter of the spell. My energy slapped out before I could even think about doing it, the spell popping like a balloon, dissipating into nothing.
Almost immediately a scream rang out from inside the cabin, and I focused my attention on the doorway, preparing myself for what might emerge. Violet reached out and grasped my arm before I could get any closer.
“She’s been in captivity for god knows how long. Let me talk to her first.” I stared into those white-blue eyes, reading between the lines of what she was saying. Violet could speak to her as someone who understood a small amount of what she had gone through.
“What if it’s a trap? She could be dangerous.”
Violet snorted at me. An actual snort. And I couldn’t stop a chuckle from escaping. “I got this, friend. Besides, you’re right outside if I need any help.”
She was right, so I nodded, and then Violet was gone. Poofed into thin air. I was still worried that this woman was dangerous. She was the winter queen’s sister, and she had been locked away for a reason. But … it was Violet.
Still, as we waited and waited and waited, my worry increased. When ten minutes had passed, and I was about to go knock on the door, it opened. A tall woman with white hair and a skeletal figure stepped out with Violet. Rags hung in gray strips down her bony frame; her hair looked damp, as if she’d just tried to smooth it back and look presentable. She walked with a slight limp as she crossed the distance toward us.
There was a sheen of tears on Violet’s cheeks, and I was worried that this had been too much for her. She’d only just started healing … moving forward.
When the woman reached Kade and me, she stumbled into a small curtsy. “Your Highnesses, my name is Priscilla. Please excuse my appearance. When the spell on my home broke, it caused me some pain…”
“Of course. I’m so sorry we are meeting under this situation. I’ve only just learned about your existence,” I told her. “My name is Arianna … I’m the one who killed Isalinda.”
Violet piped up. “I told her about the queen and prince’s death, and that you are the last ofthe royal line. Or that we thought you were the last.”
