He had shaken his head. “I’m not certain, but I think they’re the only ones. Apparently, it can only be passed from father to daughter, and it must have skipped many generations. But the stars have aligned now, and one of them will be the perfect candidate for Bellicent. This might be the final time she has to transfer bodies.”
“Of course,” I’d said tightly.
And so I had watched the Baran sisters for years. I had memorized their mannerisms and every small shift in their expressions. I’d seen my father dig into Tessa’s back, searching for a pair of wings that didn’t exist yet, and Nellie bravely brandishing a broom in a sad attempt to help. And I had hidden in the forest shadows, watching Tessa scale the chasm and then pass stolen gemstones through the wall—something I had, to this day, kept to myself.
So when Nellie had appeared after the Breaking of Albyria, I knew her in the darkness.
“Nellie Baran.” I approached her by the wall, glad the others were sleeping. The light fae were hungry, angry, and scared. Best to keep them from knowing a “mortal” was in their midst.
She stiffened and whirled toward me, raising her fists. Her fingers were curved like claws, and the nails were sharp and long—longer than anything I’d ever seen before. Her brown eyes were haunted, matching the muddy tunic and trousers she wore, along with the sturdy leather boots. At her waist, she carried a dagger, though I doubted she knew how to use it. She hadn’t gone for it when she’d heard my voice, after all. Instead, she showed me her claws. It was difficult for me not to smile at that.
“So my father’s theory was true then,” I said in a good-natured voice, slinging my hands into my trouser pockets. “You got the raw end of the deal, as far as the god’s power is concerned.”
She hissed at me, exposing her razor-sharp canines. “Get back.”
Nice.I’d been waiting a long time to see this side of her. It was too bad it had to be like this.
“I helped you and your sister escape the dungeons.”
“I said get back.” She slashed her claws at me.
And so I took a long step back. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
“No.” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not.”
I stared into the face of death and wished I could will my horns away. I knew what Nellie saw when she looked at me—what they all saw. Despite my half-human blood, I was all fae, allOberonto everyone, even though I had far more in common with my mortal birth mother than I had with anyone else in that sun-forsaken city.
Rowena, my birth mother and the first Mortal Queen—the one who had been erased from the history books—was trapped behind enemy lines inside the Tower of Crones. Magic prevented her from ever stepping foot outside that place. She knew too much, Oberon had said. Even if she could not speak it, she could spread her memories—the memories of all the Crones—just with the touch of a hand. And so he had locked her up.
Or Bellicent had. My father had been the king, but he’d never truly been in charge. Not after he’d surrendered himself to the god.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” I repeated to Nellie. “But I’m afraid I can’t let you go, either.”
At that, I had lifted my hand and waved my brothers forward from where they’d been hidden in the mists. They’d easily surrounded the poor girl and snapped manacles around her wrists. As her breath had quickened, her nails and teeth had retracted, and all the fight had gone out of her eyes.
I hated that I was the one to do that to her, but I had no other choice.
* * *
Istrode right up to the Albyrian gates with twelve of my brothers and sisters flanking me. Mykon, my second, was right beside me, as always. The chain in my hand clanked with every step Nellie took. She hadn’t looked at me or spoken to me since we’d left camp, though I occasionally noticed her claws poke through her fingertips when she thought I wasn’t paying attention.
Kalen Denare had three shadow fae guards stationed at the entrance to the city, at least that I could see. They all wore black leather armor that was a tad too battered for my taste, but it suggested they’d seen battle before, so I’d need to take them seriously. Besides, I knew there would be others hidden along the walls. They likely had arrows aimed on my face already.
I gave the guards a pleasant smile when they each drew their sword. “Hello, there. I have a trade I would like to make with your king. Tell him I have his beloved’s sister.”
Nellie hissed.
One of the guards pierced me with his ice-blue gaze and scanned me to head to toe. “You’re one of Oberon’s bastards.”
“Bastard? No. Technically, I am his trueborn son. His heir, if we’re being really specific.”
The guard surprised me with a smile. I’d assumed all the shadow fae were grumpy bastards like their king. “Then you made a mistake coming back. Especially with an army.” He inclined his head toward the walls where, just as I’d suspected, shadows shifted behind the embrasures. Archers, ready and waiting.
“If this is what you consider an army, then I worry for your people. Twelve warriors? To take an entire city? I hope you never try to do something as senseless as that.” I chuckled. “But no, I’m not here to fight. I want to make a trade. Is your king still in Endir? Send a raven. I’ll wait.”
The guard frowned and glanced at Nellie. “What’s her name?”
“Nellie Baran, sister of Tessa Baran. You might not know who that is, but the king certainly does. Send word and—”
