Bekind knelt low at my feet and renewed her pledge of fealty. She kissed Scarlet’s hand and moved on. One by one, the Darksiders came to kneel before us. Each of them gave Scarlet a kiss, and most of them missed the flicker of darkness swirling across the back of her hand. But two of them gave her hand a second look: Setanta and Bart. Setanta smiled at Scarlet then at me with a shrewd look in his eyes. Bart’s smile unsettled me in ways I couldn’t even explain. But he didn’t say a word.
The other courts didn’t kneel at my feet, but they brought more gifts and laid them close by. Drake brought seedlings for the gardens. Brendan brought a black rose bush. I made up my mind to somehow involve Scarlet in the planting to see if she made a difference.
I sat in that chair for so long that my backside ached. I barely noticed what happened next. The ceremony continued, and too many words were said. When the words were spoken, the entire crowd went silent. Rafe laid his hand on my shoulder, removed the white shawl, and officially declared me Queen Regent of the Chaos Court. A strange sensation ran through my body. I thought it was nerves, and the rest of the ceremony moved so quickly that I didn't give it much thought.
When it was finally over, a procession of female fae led us back into the castle. I looked for Drake and Brendan in the crowd, but I couldn’t find them because most of the fae were on their feet, clapping respectfully.
Inside, I collapsed into a chair. “It’s over,” I said, relieved.
“We’ve a party to go to,” Bekind said.
“Dinner first,” I said with a groan. “Then Scarlet’s bedtime.”
We moved to our room upstairs to get more comfortable. Mostly, I needed to loosen the bloody corset.
“So,” I said. “How did I do?”
“You were perfect,” Bekind said sincerely.
“It did go well,” Vix said with a sly grin. “And who are you passing that kiss on to? Because you certainly didn’t give it away during the ceremony.”
“Funny.” I was too tired to think of anything else to say.
“It was a good sign,” Rumble said.
“I can’t remember the secret,” I said, feeling frustrated.
“A pity,” Bekind said. “By your expression, it was a juicy one.”
“It was well of the kings to escort you,” Vix conceded. “And a good sign for what’s to come.”
Scarlet sneezed loudly, drawing attention away from me. Until dinner, the others chattered excitedly about the success of the event, but I sat there thinking, “What the hell have I done?”
Chapter Ten
Dinner lasted for hours. At first, the room had been divided into three sections, one for each court. The tables in each section were pushed close together, but as the night wore on, the courts began to mingle.
I was surrounded by Darksider elites, the cream of the crop—at least, according to them. And it was the dullest conversation I had ever witnessed. I struggled not to yawn as I pushed food around my plate, eyeing a glass of golden wine with longing. The room was sweltering, and the noise levels kept increasing. Every Darksider took the opportunity to fawn over Scarlet, who sat in a seat next to me and giggled every time a person so much as bowed in front of her.
She sneezed a couple more times. As I wiped her nose clean, I surreptitiously watched my acquaintances from both of the other courts. Neither king looked exactly happy, but at least my old friends seemed to be enjoying themselves.
The food before me looked amazing, but I knew there were plenty of faeries in the kitchen who'd be stuffing themselves with the leftovers. We'd only have one night for feasting, but I was more concerned with landslides and sinkholes than various roasted animals.
A gentle hand tapped my shoulder. I looked around, and Anya was standing there, looking shy.
“Hey,” I said. “I thought you would have come over sooner.”
“I had to wait.” She looked at Scarlet longingly. “Is she well?”
“See for yourself,” I said, puzzled by her reticence.
“May I?”
I nodded, and the bronze-skinned pixie knelt by Scarlet’s seat and kissed her hand. The child gave a smile of delight and pushed wet baby kisses against Anya’s face.
“Oh, she looks so beautiful,” Anya cooed. “And so big, too.”
“She’s missed you,” I said. “I’m sorry about what happened, Anya. I wish we could all be together, but…”
She sighed. “Nothing will ever be the way it was.”
I avoided my instinctual glance at a king. “I know. But maybe things can get better.”
She bit her lip. “May I take care of her for a time? She looks exhausted. I could put her to bed and watch over her.”
I tried to smile. Even my friends were more interested in Scarlet than in me these days. “After dinner, you can take her to my room. It’s too loud in here for her, and it’s only going to get worse. Vix and Orlaith can go with you.”
“Two bodyguards?” She smiled. “Is that necessary?”
I thought of Rat, and any humour in my expression dropped. “Yes.”
Startled, she backed away, nodding. “I’ll be with… my court.”
I held her gaze for a few seconds before she turned her back on me. I looked at Scarlet as she let out another sneeze. She had eaten some dinner, but she really did look tired.
“Do you want to go to bed?” I asked her.
She raised her arms to me in answer.
“Will Anya put you to bed?” I asked as I snuggled her.
“Na-Na,” she said, making me smile. She had sounds for everything now. Sometimes I worried I didn’t talk to her enough, but then I’d hear Setanta chatting away, and I knew she would always have someone teaching her words.
I stood, nodded at Rumble and Vix, and slowly made my way to the Green Court section. My entire table rose, too, and most of the room watched me. I knew that there were guards everywhere, but I still felt like a target as I held Scarlet close.
The pups followed at my heels. I had been the one feeding them because I was afraid the fae would forget, and the dogs had become attached to me. They saw the children as playmates, but despite being double the size they had been on their arrival, the pups were always careful not to hurt the children.
I saw Arlen walking between the tables and smiled, but he returned a withering glare. Apparently, he hadn’t forgiven me for taking the Darkside from Brendan. Or for coming between him and Anya.
Anya waved me over. She was sitting next to Líle amidst a number of empty seats as her companions mingled.
“She’s going to fall asleep on her plate if I don’t send her up to bed soon,” I told Anya with a smile. “I think she’s coming down with a cold. But finish your dessert. I’ll wait here, if you don’t mind.”
Anya beamed. “You’re always welcome with us, Cara. No matter—”
Her voice died away as Drake casually joined us at the table. A brief panic struck me as I felt people staring, but Drake’s expression was mild and unthreatening. “The dogs look well.” He ran his hand over the white pup’s head.
“Oh. Thank you for them.” Why did every exchange with him have to feel so awkward? “You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble though. I heard they’re rare.”
“I wanted one for myself. And when I sent out word, both arrived from two different breeders in a short time. They got on so well, and when I saw them together, I thought…” He looked away, pink dotting the centres of his cheeks.
“Scarlet loves them.” I kept my voice flat. I had only recently threatened his life, and I was pretty sure he had seriously considered taking Scarlet from me.
“I’m glad.” He cleared his throat and nodded at her. “She must be tired.”
“Yeah, it’s past her bedtime.”
Scarlet’s head was against my shoulder, and I knew she had been staring at Drake, but when she reached out her hand to touch him, even I was surprised. He froze, a mixture of longing and fear on his face. Scarlet’s fingers flexed as if she were ask
ing him to take her hand, but he didn’t move. My stomach sank at his open rejection of our daughter.
Brendan appeared out of nowhere and took Scarlet’s hand instead.
“And here’s where the little butterfly’s been hiding,” he practically bellowed. He rubbed her palm against the stubble on his jaw, sending Scarlet into hysterical giggles. He took her out of my arms and held her up high, making her body twist with delight.
“Oh, no,” Anya said crossly. “Don’t get her overexcited right before bedtime.”
“Did you hear that?” Brendan asked Scarlet, handing her to Anya. “Even kings get told off in this court.” He patted my daughter’s head before taking his seat at the table.
I turned to Drake. His mouth was opening and closing as though he were trying to find words that didn’t exist.
“Well,” I said. “Enjoy your dinner.”
He gripped my arm then let go just as suddenly. “I’m sorry.”
I wasn’t sure what he was apologising for, but I was feeling a little guilty myself. “Just so you know, I wouldn’t have used the sword.”
His thin smile made me uncomfortable. “I was hoping we could talk tomorrow.”
I nodded, feeling my cheeks burn for no real reason. “Of course. I, um, I should say goodnight to Scarlet before Anya kidnaps her.”
He nodded, and he looked almost exactly like the faery I had first met. But his beautiful wings were folded inside his clothes, and as he walked away, I saw them move as if desperately trying to free themselves. I pitied him for creating his own prison.
Scarlet was being doted on by Anya and those around her. “She’s grown so much,” Anya said, her eyes shining. “I almost didn’t recognise her.”
“She’s growing fast,” I said. “I expected her not to.”
“Never expect anything in the faery realm,” Brendan said lazily from his seat at the head of the table. “Or didn’t you know?”
A woman with mermaid-length lavender hair touched Brendan’s arm. “She’ll learn.”
I gazed at the woman, trying to place her. Nobody introduced her, but her words seemed to kill the conversation.
“Well,” I said, confused. “It’s Scarlet’s bedtime. Anya, I’ll walk you upstairs.” I gestured at Orlaith to let her know she was needed upstairs, then Anya and I headed away from the dinner.
Realtín perched on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, Cara. I’ll take care of Scarlet when the pixie is too stupid to notice her running away.”
Anya’s cheeks deepened in colour. “That was cruel, Realtín. You know I take good care of Scarlet.”
Realtín’s only reply was a mischievous cackle. She really could be mean, but I still loved her.
“Okay,” I said under my breath. “You won’t be alone in the room. Orlaith and Vix will be there, and the dogs, too.”
Realtín groaned. “Not the dogs.”
“Yes, the dogs. Now, if they howl, lock the door. Don’t even ask. Just do it. And Realtín, please don’t bother Vix. I love you too much to see you squashed under her shoe.”
“She wouldn’t catch me,” Realtín said, flickering red and gold.
“Don’t even risk it. Hey, who was that woman back there?”
Anya and Realtín exchanged a glance.
“What?” I said. “Should I know her?”
Anya shook her head. “The lineage consultant made some arrangements before he died. It seems some of them didn’t end with his death.”
Realtín pinched my neck. “Yvette is the willing bride up for sale. If Brendan makes her a queen, her family will be his biggest, richest supporters. And if he doesn’t, then Drake will have some new best friends.”
I glanced over my shoulder. “Ah. That’s the one Grim mentioned. So, is he engaged now?” It surprised me how sick I felt.
“Brendan’s pretending he doesn’t understand the rules of this game,” Anya said. “But Yvette’s pixies have told the entire court what will happen. Brendan can’t not know.”
“Good thing I don’t need him to protect Scarlet anymore,” I said as lightly as I could manage.
“It’s a great deal more serious than that,” Realtín said.
I tried to laugh it off. “It’ll make no difference to me.”
“Has Drake been much of a friend to you since he married?” Realtín asked. “Do you think Brendan’s wife will be any different?”
I looked at Anya for confirmation.
“Life will change,” was all she said.
The thought of both kings acting like Drake made a shiver run down my spine.
Chapter Eleven
I stepped into the hall alone. The noise was almost deafening. Dinner was over, and the party’s music had already started. The musicians played songs I knew, but that just reminded me of a time when Brendan had done the same thing. I shivered as I looked around the room. Maybe the others were right. Maybe I would lose another friend. Maybe that was why I felt so alone.
It was too hot. My fringe stuck to my forehead. I grabbed a goblet of wine from a passing tray and took one sip. The golden wine warmed my tongue and my insides, but the whispers around me grew louder.
“She can influence the kings, and we’ll…”
“One of them will kill her soon enough…”
“Who will really lead?”
“Whoever controls the child, controls the…”
“She’s a witch. That’s what we…”
I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment. When I opened them, the room appeared clearer. I shoved the cup into the hand of the faery next to me. He stuttered something in response, but I was already leaving.
I strode across the hall as if I owned the place. And apparently, I did. But maybe the fae had chosen me because I was replaceable and suggestible. When I looked at the group of Darksiders in the centre of the room, I saw no friendly faces.
I headed to my throne instead of joining them. Rumble was nearby, but he was walking through the crowds, listening to what was being said. I didn’t envy him. The thrones were at least comfortable now. Somebody had decorated them with flowers, and the smell grew sickening as the petals slowly decayed. I gripped the arms of the chair and held on as the room spun.
I breathed through my mouth and watched the room, trying to pick out familiar faces. Drake and Sorcha sat side by side. They barely spoke and never smiled. My ancestor, the leanan sídhe called Donella, was nowhere to be seen, possibly because she was out of favour but more likely because she resented me accomplishing what she couldn’t. Bekind, my other ancestor, had gone missing again. I wished, just for one day, she had stuck by my side and made me feel less alone.
I kept searching the faces around me. Dymphna and Fiadh were having a discussion in the corner of the room. I briefly wondered where their children were. I caught Bran’s eye and waved, pleased to see him looking well and as pastel coloured as always. He bowed, but he gave me a sly wink. Grim and Líle were speaking together at the side of the room. They both looked worried. They glanced over at me then turned away just as quickly. Even my old friends were becoming secretive with me. Could I trust anyone anymore?
And then I found the face I had been saving for last. Brendan was holding court at his table, his hand on Arlen’s shoulder as he regaled those around him with one of his many charming stories. He had barely spoken to me since he arrived. I missed the way we used to be comfortable together on occasions like these, when I'd sit by his side, trying not to laugh as he kept me amused. And now it was over.
A voice loudly called out for silence, and I was forced to look away to find out what was going on. The musicians had stopped playing, and everyone was looking at the group of beautiful faery women posed in front of them.
The woman with lavender hair, Yvette, stretched out her arms with a smile. “Where I come from, women are trained in many arts.”
I frowned. And that meant what exactly?
“Many of you have never met me before because our fathers keep us secluded for as long as possible.??
? She glanced at the woman to her right and smiled. “So, we prepared a little introduction, a gift for the newly crowned… regent.” She looked at me, and her smile was calculating. “May your daughter’s reign be long and peaceful.”
Why did that sound so threatening? My fingers clenched the arms of the chair.
The musicians played a different melody then, one I didn’t recognise. Yvette slipped her dress off her shoulders along with the rest of her group. Under their clothes, the women all wore silky material that was wrapped around their bodies in strips, revealing enough skin to display their tattoos.
Yvette led the others in a seductive dance, making serpent-like movements as she approached the tables. The women spread out, drawing attention from the closest tables. Yvette made a beeline for Brendan. He watched her, entranced, and my stomach threatened to heave. As Yvette danced, her tattoos seemed to swirl, and her movements grew more and more sensual until I couldn’t look anymore.
As I gazed about the room, I saw that almost all the fae were as entranced as Brendan. Rumble was ever watchful. Bart and the glaistig were having some kind of argument in the back of the room. She stamped her cloven feet before storming off.
And Drake was staring at me. He caught my eye and lifted his shoulders in a shrug, a bemused look on his face.
I mouthed the words, “What the hell?”
He grinned mischievously and mouthed back, “Should we get them a room?”
I snorted with laughter, breaking the trance. As all eyes turned to me, I covered my laughter, pretending to cough politely instead. Brendan glared at me, and I hurriedly waved at Yvette to carry on. Her shrewd gaze chilled me so much that I had to look away.
Bart moved to my side with another goblet of wine. “You look as though you need something to get you through this.”
“Am I that obvious?”
“You’re one of the more transparent people here. It’s refreshing, no?”
I stared at him. He was one of the most interesting faeries I had ever met. His skin was blacker than any other shade in the Darkside, and his overly large pupils were surrounded by sky blue instead of the chilling white that had once been there. His back wasn’t as hunched as it had been when Sadler ruled, but nobody else seemed to be aware of the changes. And he had saved my life.