We managed to convince the riders to take us to see the Queen and King instead of throwing us straight into the dungeons. The Spring fae seemed angry, but they were reasonable, at least. They took us into a long hall within the castle’s grounds, where two flower-decked thrones sat at the end of a carpet of green moss.
The Royals watched silently as we strode toward them down the long, thin carpet. Their scrutinizing gazes were locked on our faces, and I felt the strange urge to bow, even though I was not a member of their Court.
The King and Queen both sat tall on their vine-covered thrones, their glimmering blonde hair shot through with strands of green. The King was a large male, much larger than most I’d met so far in Otherworld. He had a strong jaw and small eyes, whereas his wife’s features were in total opposite. Regardless, they both held an air of superiority about them. Typical of Royals.
When we reached the end of the carpet, the King glanced from Alwyn to Finn and then to me. The others he seemed to have no interest in.
He turned to Alwyn. “Alwyn Adair, Head Instructor at the Otherworld Academy for the changelings who have been sacrificed to the human world in the tithe to the Dark Fae.”
Well, that was a long-ass title if I’d ever heard one.
“King Deri of the Spring Court. Queen Shan.” She gave a small bow, turning to each of the Royals in turn. “It’s a pleasure to see you once again.”
“Yes, yes. I apologize for the welcome party,” he said, the corners of his lips lifting into a smile. “I’m sure you can understand that we’re being especially cautious right now. After the attack at the Feast of the Fae, my Hunters are concerned that the Autumn Court might make a move against us next. It’s only a matter of time before they go for another crown, and it will likely be us. We doubt they would be so bold as to go into Winter lands. Her men are not accustomed to such weather. She will try to draw them out instead.”
Hmm, what an odd thing to say when he was planning his own attack on the Winters.
A strange expression flickered across Alwyn’s face. “Yes, well…that’s why we’re here.” And then, my Head Instructor, who I could have sworn hated me all this time, turned and looked right at me. “King Deri, I would like to introduce you to Norah Oliver. She is one of our students at the Academy, the first Greater Fae in over eighteen years. She has something she would like to say.”
What?My mind screamed, and all the feeling in my arms and legs vanished in the blink of an eye. Everyone was staring at me now. The Hunters who had escorted us inside. My instructors, my…mates? And now the King and Queen of the Spring territory. All looking at me expectantly, as if I had even the slightest clue of what I should say or do to stop this war from happening.
But…how could I, of all of those in this room? I was just…me.
You are you,a little voice whispered into my mind.You are worthy.
The King gave me a kind smile and rubbed his jaw. “A Greater Fae, you say? Well, this is certainly a treat. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve met one of your kind. The embodiment of the realm’s spirit, they used to say. That’s what the Greaters were. Anyway, what is it you would like to say to me, my dear?”
“I…” Trailing off, I glanced at Rourke. His gaze caught mine, and he nodded. Something about his encouragement, his approval, his belief in me, it made me find the courage within myself to plow forward. “We came here to speak with you about the impending war. The future of the realm is at stake, King Deri. We understand…no, wait.Iunderstand why you might feel as if you have no other choice than to go on the offensive, but it’s only going to make matters worse. More bloodshed. More death. More fracturing of the realm. Instead of fighting each other, we need to band together as one, even though I know that’s not how you do things anymore. Don’t fight against Winter.Joinwith Winter. It’s the only way to stop the Autumn Court from gaining more power.”
The King stared at me, still rubbing his jaw. After a moment, he shifted on his chair and took a long moment to speak. “I must admit, your words have both moved and confused me. It’s been a long, long while since I’ve heard a fae speak so passionately and eloquently about reuniting our four Courts. I have to admit, I find myself agreeing with you. Which is why I haven’t the foggiest why you seem to be under the impression I’d want to launch my forces against the Winter Court.”
I had braced myself for a wide variety of responses from the King, but this one…well, this hadn’t even been on my radar.
I blinked at him, frowning. “But I thought that was your plan. I thought you intended to attack within the next day.”
He shrugged and shook his head. “I’m not sure where you got your information, Norah, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s not a single bone in my body that wants to battle the Winter Court. And even if I did, I’d never take my forces up north. We’d die within a day.”
“But the Queen said…” I trailed off, dread pooling in my gut. My eyes flicked to where Alwyn and my instructors were now murmuring urgent words underneath their breaths. The King noticed as well, and he cleared his throat, so loud it made me jump.
“Would you care to share that with the rest of us?” His voice had lost some of its gentleness, transforming more into a commanding kingly steel. “Norah mentioned the Queen.WhichQueen?”
“Queen Viola,” I answered for them. Whatever was happening, it was my fault.Again.I’d been the one who had gathered the information. I’d been the one who had convinced everyone to come all this way. If anyone should have to explain, it was me. “I have the power to shadow, something the Summer Hunters discovered. They requested that I go into the Autumn Court and spy, hoping I could find out information about the Queen’s next moves.”
The King nodded with a grunt. “Seems reasonable. Go on.”
“Well, I managed to get inside and overhear a conversation between Queen Viola and one of her Hunters. She said exactly what I’ve told you. That you, the Spring Court, planned to attack the Winter fae in three days’ time. That was two days ago.”
“I see.” A pause. “And you heard this directly from Queen Viola? She didn’t know you were in the room?”
“No, I was shadowed. I don’t see how she would even know I can do that.” I glanced at Rourke, at Liam. “I mean, the only people who know I have that power are in this room or are part of the Hunters for the Summer fae.”
Liam’s chin jerked up, and his eyes turned fierce with fire. Suddenly, he twisted his hands into fists and began pacing from one end of the throne room to the next. The King and Queen eyed him suspiciously, this outburst by the passionate Summer fae.
He stopped and looked at Kael, who had kept his eyes focused on the ground throughout the entire exchange. “What do you think the Winter Court would do if a group of Summer Hunters came to them with proof—or close enough to proof—that the Spring Court planned to invade them?”
“They wouldn’t take it very well,” Kael said, pursing his lips. “Though they wouldn’t react without thinking things through. Our Royals are very precise with their chess moves. They like to keep their focus several steps ahead. I could guess how they might react, but it’s impossible to know without understanding their exact circumstances at the moment.”
“But what would theypotentiallydo?” Liam pressed.
