I nodded, giving her a half-hearted smile. “You’re the best friend ever.”
“You’re not too bad yourself,” she said and grinned.
FOURTEEN
FALLON
The queen had a black brigade suit made for me. Even though I was only invited to the brigade on the condition that I got my powers back from Ariyon, I think she wanted the entire city to see me bow to her and pledge my allegiance wearing the uniform that signaled loyalty to her in and of itself. I didn’t care. I just wanted to be done with this charade and then to be on my way to getting Ariyon back.
My father didn’t have any super-nice clothes, but he wore pants without holes in them and a button-up shirt. His hair was slicked back, and he said he was going to get Eden and Mable and then meet me at the Gilded City castle for the festivities.
I shoved my pants into my boots so that my skin wouldn’t touch Ember and then headed out for my early meeting with the queen. On the way, my stomach tied into knots over everything. The queen had said it was time to show me something. That felt ominous. If I stopped to think about all that had happened since my short time in this city, it was hard not to feel like I was a harbinger of bad things. I show up here after seventeen years, and Marissa and the Nightlings start attacking? It couldn’t be a coincidence. I just wish I knew more about what they wanted. Ariyon said they wanted permanent bodies, but that didn’t makesense or even seem possible. I was hoping for some answers now. I’d been patient. I’d agreed to publicly say whatever the queen desired. Now I just wanted to get it over with and find Ariyon.
A memory of him running his thumb over my lip caused warmth to travel down my spine, and I longed to get him back now more than ever before. He’d saved my father’s life, and even though I saved his life, it felt like I’d repaid him by trapping him in the Realm of Rebirth.
Way to go, Fallon.
Before I knew it, I had arrived at the Gilded City castle. A stable hand took Ember from me, and a guard walked me through the palace. I gazed past the extravagant gardens where people were already lining up and filing out onto the great lawn. We walked by dozens of open doors, and even though I tried not to peer inside, my curiosity won. Bedrooms, libraries, offices… This place was five times the size of Bane Manor.
We finally reached a set of double doors, and the guard knocked three times rapidly and then twice slower.
“Enter,” the queen’s familiar voice called out.
The guard opened the door and escorted me inside.
“Wow,” I said as I took in the large office. It was circular, filled from floor to ceiling with shelves. On the shelves were all kinds of things—books, crystals, daggers, artwork, framed letters. It was like a museum. Sitting in the middle of the room was the queen. She perched behind a sturdy, dark wood desk. Beside her were a sofa and two chairs, and she gestured there for me to take a seat. I did, my gaze flitting around the space in awe. There was a golden-looking egg that had a slight illumination to it. I wanted to ask what it was but thought better of it; now probably wasn’t the time.
After I sat, the queen looked to the guard.
“You may wait outside,” she directed him.
“But—” he began to interject.
“You question your queen’s decision-making?” she snapped.
“No, your highness.” He bowed and left, shutting the door behind him.
I folded my hands in my lap as the queen came to stand over me. “I have to admit, Fallon, I like you better without your dark powers.”
I looked up at her to find her smirking. Was she teasing me? The queen teased?
I chuckled. “I like your office. All this stuff is really cool.”
She nodded. “Relics from past monarchs. Precious artwork, powerful objects, books that hold ancient knowledge.”
Wow, she was being really forthcoming. I relaxed a little. Hopefully she’d finally realized I wasn’t a threat. This could be good for me long term, less of a chance I would be locked up for life.
“So,” she said, looking at me pointedly. “Ayden and Eden stopped by and spoke to me about the trip you want to take. To Ealdoria.”
I nodded. “To help get Ariyon back.”
“I don’t see why my nephew has to go,” she muttered, pursing her lips. “But I will approve the trip so long as you are accompanied by a dozen Royal Guard. Anything to bring Ariyon back. He must be barely holding on down there.” She wrung her hands together, and worry pinched her face. For the first time, I saw the aunt and not the queen.
I was relieved that Eden and Ayden had put up a united front and gotten her to agree. My bestie was formidable when she set her mind to something.
“He’s okay,” I told her. “He’s tough, and I’m going to get him back and switch our powers. I promise.”
She met my gaze then and nodded, her face sharpening. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”
