Page 99 of Blood of the Fairest

We turn down another hall. Merrick wears the same furrowed brow that he did last night when I told him I would leave at dawn to get the wispfloss and other pretty fabric from Ida. He practically emanates concern as we start up the stairs that will take us to Snow White's rooms.

"Perhaps you should take guards with you," Merrick suggests. "Or some of our knights."

"I'll be traveling with a legendary northern warrior," I point out, adjusting my veil and jerking a thumb back over my shoulder at Wulf. "I'm sure he can handle some spooky woods."

Not to mention, it would be hard to explain to an entourage of guards why I'm first magically traveling through a shrine with Wulf to visit the Faerie of Wrath.

Wulf explained that his witch stone can transport him from shrine to shrine. Since Ida's home near the Loomdark is near one of Ayna's shrines, and Malivant's prison is below one of his own, we'll be able to travel quickly between the two.

Wulf also said it's best not to mention where we are going, since few ever visit any of Wrath's shrines.

I can't imagine why. It's almost like he's a terrifying jackass.

"The Loomdark is not merely spooky," Merrick warns me as we reach the bottom of the stairs. "That twisted forest sprawls nearly as large as all of Nordhjem and is infected with horrors of every sort. There are kobolds and goblins running amok, wights that lead travelers astray, enchanted sands that devour one whole, and Crones know what else!"

"What about R.O.U.S.'s? Does it have those?"

The chamberlain pauses. "R.O.U.S.'s?"

"Rodents of unusual—never mind," I sigh.

God, I miss movies.

"I'm sure the Loomdark is brutal, but we're not going into it. We're just venturing near it, since that's where Ida lives. Right?" I check, glancing over my shoulder.

Wulf nods.

Eris speaks from a nearby reflection, drawing my attention. "Still, monsters wander from the Loomdark now and then. You may as well take some guards just in case something sinister does wander to devour someone, and therefore become less of a target yourself."

What a psychopath.

"I am not going to safeguard my own ass by offering castle guards up as a snack," I mutter under my breath.

"What was that?" Merrick asks. "I'm afraid I didn't hear you."

"I just said I should really pack a snack. You know, for the trip."

He runs one gloved finger along the nearby stair railing as if checking for dust. Nodding in satisfaction when it comes back clean, he sighs as if resigned.

"Well, if you must go, I did tell the chef last night to prepare a few things. I also suggested he prepare a basket of treats to gift, in the hopes that it might help you win Ida over."

"This is why you're the best," I beam at him through the veil. "You have no idea how happy I am that Snow White will have you around to help her make Isenmere better than ever."

Merrick's smile is kind, but laced with curiosity. His brows tick down.

"I have always held the princess in the recesses of my heart, but am I not here to help you as well? I am your chamberlain after all, my dear Ishmael."

His tone is teasing, but between the lines, he's definitely asking why the fuck I'm talking like I'm not going to be around for much longer.

As much as I can't wait to leave this world so I don't have to be a blood-drinking monster anymore, there's a strange pinch in my chest at the thought of never seeing Merrick or Snow White or any of the others again.

Never again chatting with Eris in the reflections all around me, telling him all about my world and laughing at the random gossip he reports to me from other mirrors. Never again feeling Wulf's cool blue gaze like a shield as I go about my day, or hearing the low lull of his voice…

Knock it off, I tell myself. This is just some pre-nostalgia. It doesn't mean anything. You don't want to die as the evil queen, remember? You'll be safer alone at home in your own world.

I pull back my veil for a moment so Merrick can see the smile I force onto my lips.

"Of course. I just mean you've already helped me so much. And obviously, I'm not going to be queen forever. It's nice to know Snow White will have the best chamberlain in the world at her side when that time comes."