But Caius interrupted, “We won’t be doing that.”
I opened and closed my mouth like a fish. I turned to Soren, who gave me a reassuring look before dipping his chin in the direction of the king—a subtle reminder of who was really in charge. Right.
I tried again, “It would be in everyone’s best interest to end their contracts, since it’s only three humans.”
This time, though, King Mordeus dropped his palm down on the arm of his throne with a slap that sounded throughout court like a gavel. “I’m inclined to agree with my son. There’s something strange about this entire situation. Even the toddy has agreed.”
I pressed my lips together.
Soren was right. Toddy wobbles really were the worst.
“More importantly,” Caius said in a smug tone, “if the Grimhollow clantrulycared about their pathetic little humans, they’d already be here by now.”
The king nodded his agreement. He opened his mouth, looking ready to call for the next court petitioner.
I swallowed.
Time to do whatever it took.
Soren wrapped his fingers around my wrist like he sensed I was about to do something crazy, but I ignored him. “I’ll make a bargain with you for them,” I called out.
Caius sneered at me. “With what? Your life? That’s all you have to offer. And I’d hardly exchange three hardworking humans for one.”
My heart sank.
I desperately tried to think of something else I could offer.
But Caius was right.
I had nothing.
A roaring sound flooded my ears, drowning out the rest of the court, growing louder.
Was this what a panic attack felt like?
I blinked back tears, trying to control my emotions. I didn’t want to melt down in public and give Caius the satisfaction.
But as my vision cleared, I realized the roaring was coming from outside my body. And it was getting closer. Surrounding fae were starting to look up, including Caius and the king.
The sound evolved into a thunderous flapping of wings.
Huge wings.
They blocked out the stars in the night sky above.
I wasn’t quite sure what I was seeing at first, but as they drew closer, I made out at least a dozen winged fae wearing grim expressions and full-body armor with sharp spikes along the arms and shoulders.
A high-pitched scream came from somewhere in the crowd as the winged fae landed heavily on an unseen magical barrier above us. It shimmered under their feet but otherwise stayed invisible.
“Let us in,” one of the huge warriors called in a gruff tone. It carried through the barrier clear as day.
Nearby folk took a few huge steps back. Some turned tail and ran.
“I’d like a guarantee you come in peace first,” King Mordeus called back. He and his son didn’t move from their thrones, but I noted Caius’s fingers turning white from his grip on the armrest, and his father subtly summoned at least a dozen more guards to surround them.
Soren, on the other hand, moved all of us to the side of the wide stage and into the shadows where Caius had stood earlier, as if to give them room to land.
Above, the fae leader bent one knee to better glare down at the king. “Unless you want the guarantee of a battle, you’ll have to risk it.”
