Reyna’s ears pricked up. This was far more than she could have hoped for. Desperate to discover who Ula had been working for, Reyna would have trailed her, but that pesky guard had gotten in her way. She had realized that had been the intention. The guard had only appeared the moment Reyna had unlocked Ula’s cell door.
“Please tell me that she didn’t manage to lose you in the chase,” Reyna replied.
Mariel smiled. “She did not even know I was there.”
Excitement tripped through her veins. This was it. The moment she would have confirmation that the High Queen was behind these attacks, providing her with the very hammer she needed to knock her off the throne. Thane would not stand for it. The High Queen would be forced to step down. And then the prince would take her place, marry Reyna, and then…
And then Reyna would have to kill him.
She frowned. “Well? Where did she go? To the High Queen?”
Mariel pursed her lips, that same strange combination of fear and defiance swirling through her sun-warmed eyes. “Before I tell you, I would like some assurances.”
Reyna narrowed her eyes. “Assurances of what?”
“A promise.”
“A promise?” Reyna took a step back. “I don’t make promises.”
Promises were deadly things. Few fae were willing to touch them. Even as the magic had vanished from the kingdoms, the power of a fae’s word remained as true and as strong as ever. She would make bargains or deals, but she never spoke the wordpromisealoud when she did. Because she would be forever bound to it. It was why her father had never allowed her to become a true sworn Shieldmaiden. And now, she saw why. He had always hoped she would return to courtly life.
“If you don’t make the promise, then I cannot tell you,” Mariel said quietly.
Reyna frowned at the low fae. A desperation to fight against her words rose within her, but as she stared into those fierce eyes, she came to an understanding. Mariel would not back down. Whatever she had discovered had truly disturbed her, and she would take the information to her grave if she must.
“What is the promise?” Reyna asked.
“You must promise me that you will not tell the High Queen or Prince Thane.”
“I…” Reyna furrowed her brows. “But—”
Mariel held up a hand. “It was neither of them.”
A strange sensation prickled on the back of Reyna’s neck. She had been so certain that the High Queen was involved. Who else would want Reyna and Eislyn dead? And, if she could not tell Prince Thane, then how could she use that information to her advantage?
She flicked her eyes toward the door. Outside, she knew Lorcan stood guard, protecting her from would-be assassins and keeping her from sneaking off into the woods. Mariel had said nothing about the warrior.
“Fine. I promise I will not tell Prince Thane or the High Queen.”
Instantly, a strange sensation washed over Reyna. A flicker of magic, filling up her blood.
Mariel gave her a grim smile. “Good choice, though I must warn you, you are not going to enjoy hearing this. The wood fae are behind the attacks. They want to murder you and put their own Princess Etaine in your place.”
Reyna could only stand and stare at Mariel in shock. The Wood Court? It was a plot that had never occurred to her. “Why in the name of the Dagda would they believe that Thane would even agree to that?”
“Apparently, the Air Court originally considered an alliance with them, far before they considered an alliance with the Ice Court.” Mariel paused and gave her a meaningful look. “The two were to join forces against you instead.”
Reyna curled her hands into fists. “They are mortal enemies. The battles between them have been far worse than anything encountered on ice fae soil.”
Mariel shrugged. “The Wood Court has a far larger army and trade routes with the Empire of Fomor.”
“So do we,” Reyna argued. The trade route between the Empire of Fomor and the Ice Court had been well-established far before the beginning of the war. In fact, they had traded for centuries, using one of the only safe passages between the two continents. The Fomorians were a secretive lot, and they refused to allow Tir Na Nog fae to sail to their shores. Instead, they traded solely through two islands that stood between the continents. Up north, through Tuath Isle, and down south, through Deas Isle. It left the Ice and Wood Courts in control of very important land.
“Your trade route in the far north goes through icy waters, which is far less effective than the smooth sailing from the Wood Court’s ports. They were the ideal option, Reyna. We both know it. And yet, for some reason, they chose you.”
Reyna frowned. It certainly was curious, but that was a puzzle to decipher at a later time. The important thing was, the High Queen was not in fact trying to murder Reyna. Instead, the wood fae were. That changed everything. She could now see why Mariel had insisted on the promise. If Reyna went to either Thane or Imogen about these discoveries, they would no doubt restart the battles with the Wood Court in earnest. Hundreds of fae would die in the battles, and cities would surely fall. Perhaps even Tairngire. She could not fault Mariel for wanting to keep the people safe.
“And you are certain of this?” Reyna asked quietly, absently fingering her ice ring.
