Page 59 of Blood of the Fairest

"You have no idea how refreshing it is to hear that after the last few days I've had," Verena sighs.

Merrick harumphs something about how far the castle security must have fallen before he nods firmly.

"I should like to come to the castle at once and put an end to such horrid nonsense. Assassination attempts may be fine in Hamelnmark, or Turnstadt, or anywhere else—but they do not happen in Isenmere. Ayna will only bless our kingdom if we are noble and comely, after all. What will this world come to if we turn our noses up at the Thirteen Faeries?"

"You're so right," Verena nods. "Gotta mind those faeries. They're just so… baker's dozen, and all."

I snort. "I'm afraid you're not quite selling it."

Not that I blame her, after one of the nastiest faeries nearly killed her himself.

She starts to say something to me, but catches herself and instead smiles at Merrick.

"Do you know if the castle pays well? I want you to be well compensated."

"It pays quite well."

"Do you think it pays enough that Anika and Ingrid might consider working there? If Ingrid is interested in being Snow White's lady's maid, that would be amazing, because I bet she could use one. And given how sharp Anika is, I'd love to have her as an advisor. I get the feeling you and I will have our hands full with the Privy Council, but those two seem down-to-earth."

Merrick blinks rapidly. "You must not remember, but I'm afraid you forbade any women from working in the castle after one of your Favored…wandered."

"Seriously? One guy can't keep it in his pants, so all the women get punished? Stupid sexist queen," Verena grumbles. "Okay, that's the first thing we change. I want qualified women all over in that castle—advisors, chefs, maids, knights in training, whatever. What do you say?"

"I'm in favor, but I doubt everyone on the council will be so pleased."

"The council can kiss my ass. Now, there are a few upcoming meetings..."

As they discuss a few things, I abruptly realize we must be nearing the time when Verena's disguise will wear off.

I squint through the mirror glass. She still looks and sounds exactly like the plain shoemaker, but time is running out.

"Fairest," I prompt. "The disguise."

"Oh, right. I need to get going." She beams across the table. "How soon do you think you can move back into the castle?"

Merrick considers. "I can be there tomorrow evening, or perhaps the morning after. I'm afraid I have quite a lot of fine clothing that shall need to be packed and sent ahead. One cannot manage such a stately castle while dressed drably, you know."

"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

I'm sure she'll never bother explaining why she's calling him Louis.

Still, my fairest-in-disguise looks so damn happy that this was a success that my own lips curl up to match.

15

Wulf

She's gone.

There was no reply earlier when I knocked repeatedly on the doors of the queen's chambers. She is nowhere else in Isenmere Castle.

So thoroughly have I scoured it in the short time since my return that I am now back at her doors, certain of it.

Verena is gone.

Unless…

Perhaps she is lying in a pool of her own blood within the queen's bedroom. Perhaps these castle servants, whom I do not trust, harmed her in the days while I was away—harmed the woman I have sworn away my life to protect.