Specified areas of the castle were available for open access portaling but, as with dreamscaping, the exact location had to be known in order to use it. Galather and Folas knew the locations and, as Liri’s appointed guardians and now mine, had the ability to use these access points to portal.
“We can’t just pop up anywhere we want,” Galather had explained to me. “And neither can the high Fae.”
This was information Cirrus and Liri had never shared with me. I think they wanted me to believe they could appear before me at any given moment but were respecting my privacy by knocking on the door first.
Even though the castle’s access points weren’t common knowledge, I wanted to be safe. Folas had warned that high Fae had a sixth sense when it came to detecting areas in which to create a portal—even without a specific address or location—so long as it was close by.
The mages charged an outrageous sum to block all portaling and dreamscaping from the palace, but I deemed it money well spent, especially since it was coming out of Liri’s coffers. The spell would only last a few days—long enough to get us through the weekend’s festivities and keep tabs on the guests who had begun filling up the guest chambers since early morning.
The only ones who knew about the spells were myself, Jhaeros, Mel, Galather, and Folas. I’d made Mel promise not to tell anyone, not even Ryo. I still didn’t know if I could trust him. According to Jhaeros, he behaved respectfully during their fencing lessons. No elfish insults or attitude. It was a start.
“And have Albedo and Malon arrived?” I asked the twins.
“Not yet,” Folas answered, tight-jawed.
A knock came at the door, and then Jhaeros and Galather entered.
“The spells are secure, for now, and the doors have been opened to the ballroom,” Jhaeros announced. He’d walked in, stiff as a board, his mouth a grim line.
Jhaeros had dressed in a simple starched white shirt and black coat with tails—not a feather or ribbon of lace to be found on his person. We had decided he would blend in among the guests as a footman, keeping his eyes and ears open to what everyone was saying and doing during the ball.
I’d miss having him by my side, but it was wiser to split up. I didn’t want Jhaeros to draw unnecessary attention to himself. It already made me feel better knowing he would be hidden nearby.
His unease was apparent in the way he stood with erect posture and a tight jaw, pupils jerking around but never landing anywhere for long. Not even my half-exposed breasts could hold his attention tonight.
“I must go now,” he said, smoothing out his coat, though it was free of wrinkles. “I want to be in the ballroom before everyone arrives, to see who comes and goes.” Jhaeros took three large strides to me and gathered me into his arms, kissing his way up my neck to my ear where he whispered, “Be safe, my love.”
“You as well, my heart.”
With a breath of reluctance, Jhaeros pulled away and made for the door. Folas and Galather inclined their heads as he passed them.
“Galather, go with Jhaeros. Come back when the ballroom is full and it’s time for me to make my entrance.”
Galather nodded and followed Jhaeros.
Blasted ball.
I hoped Mel would be all right. As with Jhaeros, I didn’t want to bring any unnecessary attention to my sister by singling her out. When she’d heard that Jhaeros was going incognito, she’d become animated and said she would do the same as a guest. I’d played along. A guest is exactly what I wanted Mel to be—one of many lost in the crowd.
She said not to worry about a gown; she’d already raided Jastra’s closet and had one of the maids alter a dress to her liking.
I dismissed Folas and dimmed the lanterns in my chamber, soaking in the last peace and quiet I would have to myself for the evening. All too soon, there was a knock, followed by the entrance of my two blond guards telling me it was time to make my appearance. I tied on the lace mask, securing it in back beneath my hair before swishing out of my room.
Folas walked in front, Galather beside me. There’d been a time not long ago when I couldn’t tell them apart. Now I knew them both so well they could have looked entirely different from the other.
“Have the cousins arrived?” I asked Galather as we passed flaming torches in the corridor.
“We know that Albedo is here. He was seen with Sarfina. The two seem to be thick as thieves.”
“Describe him to me.”
“He is dressed all in black with a long, narrow top hat and long raven wings at both shoulders draped like a cape.”
“My, how ominous,” I said sarcastically. “He has black hair?”
“Long black hair,” Galather confirmed.
Folas reached the doors leading to the outside corridor and held one open for me to pass. As soon as I had, he rushed back to the front. I walked along the stone railing, beside the silvery half-moon reflected in the lake’s glassy surface.
When we reached the last set of doors that would lead into the castle’s main halls, Folas stopped and turned around, his gaze intent upon me. “He is wearing a silver claw over his finger—long and sharp.”
Galather nodded. “On his right hand.” He lifted his hand, curling his fingers back, save for the pointer finger.
“He can stick it up his own ass for all the good it will do him,” I said, lifting my chest.
Galather snorted. Folas maintained a stern frown, leading the way from the south wing’s sanctuary to the revelries that awaited. We weren’t alone long before noble guests cluttered the hallways dressed in their fine feathers and lace. Folas moved to my other side, flanking me as eyes turned to us and murmurs arose.
“A vision of beauty,” a female in a red feathered mask gasped as I passed her.
“Queen Aerith. You are stunning!” cried a young male wearing a white lace cravat. “I beg you, save me a dance.”
“And me,” said the youth standing beside him.
Sure, now they wanted to kiss my royal elven ass. As though I would forget they’d spurned me several months ago when I was Liri’s prisoner.
Galather and Folas pushed aside the Fae who came too close.
“Give the queen space,” Folas snarled.
I didn’t have to fake my smile as I entered the ballroom, nor did I need announcing. The assembly’s collective intake of breath followed by murmurs of “Queen Aerith” did that for me.
Head lifted, I swept straight up to Count Ralphio, considered the most desirable bachelor in Dahlquist, after Prince Ryo. He had been a close friend of Cirrus’s and shared a similar taste in fashion with his matching white-and-gold mask and suit. A long gold feather pendant dangled from a chain around his neck and white lace trimmed his cuffs. He had a female on each arm, both dressed in white corsets and feathered short skirts.
His grin widened at my approach, gaze flicking to my bosom before lifting back up to meet my eyes.
“Hello, Ralphio,” I said casually.
“I am glad to see you in good health, Aerith. Please allow me to compliment you on your radiance.”
I smiled. “You don’t look bad yourself. Now, why don’t you ask your queen to dance?”
I felt the females’ gazes narrow on me. Ralphio did not pull his arms from them as quickly as I thought he might.
“It would be my pleasure,” Ralphio said, his voice all charm. He offered me his arm.
Galather and Folas fell back as the count escorted me to the middle of the ballroom with its swirling mass of feathers and lace.
“Do not worry, Ralphio. I will have you back to your females in no time.” And I would. I just needed to get the lay of the land first, specifically a lockdown on Albedo without making it appear as though I was seeking him out.
“You honor me with the first dance,” Ralphio responded smoothly.
“Who better than you?”
His grin widened at the flattery. “If only Cirrus were here to do the honors. He would have loved you in this.” Ralphio’s gaze dipped to my b
osom, and this time it lingered.
The orchestra, roped off along the far wall, stopped playing abruptly at our approach and started up a new waltz. Ralphio took my hand in his and put his other arm around my waist. I followed his lead, allowing him to move me around the dance floor while I scanned the ballroom.
It didn’t take long for me to spot Albedo beside Sarfina near a refreshment table. My sister-in-law wore a tight white slip of a dress with a peacock feathered train that flared out at her sides. Albedo was as Galather had described him—tall, dark, and brooding, like a swollen rain cloud ready to unleash gloom upon the world. He was pale, like Liri. His long black hair was straight and silky, and had been layered to frame and cover half his face. I could feel his dark eyes peering through his bangs at me as though through a curtain. Sarfina was looking at me, too, her lips moving—no doubt filling him in with all the details of her overbearing elf sister-in-law. Albedo’s mouth didn’t move. He looked deep in thought. The peacock and the raven.
I lost sight of them as Ralphio spun me around, but it didn’t matter. I’d located the bastard, and he stood perched like a raven going nowhere.
Next, I tried to locate Malon. Liri had told me he was shorter and broader shouldered than his brother. He had black, shaggy, shoulder-length hair like Ryo’s, and he liked to wear masks at parties. Sure, easy as sweetberry pie, especially when more than half the guests were wearing masks.
I looked for Mel, too, but either she hadn’t arrived yet or she was really taking the “blend into the crowd” bit seriously.
The footmen all blurred together. I didn’t try to pick Jhaeros out among them. Keeping attention off him meant I must do the same, not sharing so much as a glance.
When the song ended, Ralphio bowed. “Another dance, my queen?” he asked as he straightened.
“Maybe later,” I said in a dismissive tone. The count had served his purpose.
Ralphio bowed again before returning to his white-feathered females.
Gaze locked on Sarfina, I swept across the ballroom. Albedo might be the storm, but soon he would learn I was the thunder. I could feel his gaze sharpen every step of the way. From the corner of my eyes, I caught the glint of silver encasing one entire finger from his knuckle to the extended tip. I repressed a shudder at the sight.
“Sarfina, your ball is a smashing success,” I called out. “What a magnificent turnout.”
Sarfina lifted her nose. From close up, I saw her eyebrows had been made up to look like peacock feathers with teal, green, and gold makeup.
“I told you it would be spectacular,” Sarfina all but crowed. Despite my compliment, she didn’t smile until she turned to Albedo. She beamed at him as though he was an angel come to Faerie rather than the sly-looking scarecrow with black-feathered shoulders. “Cousin Albedo, allow me to introduce you to Cirrus’s widow, Aerith from the elven realm.”
He stared deep into my eyes. It was the only place he looked, as though transfixed or trying to hypnotize me. He rubbed the tip of his silver claw against his thigh. My eyes kept wanting to follow the movement. I forced myself to stare through his bangs into his eyes.
“Princess Aerith, it is a pleasure to meet you at last.” His tone was haughty and self-assured.
I narrowed my eyes. “It is Queen Aerith at the moment.”
“For now.”
“Until Liri returns.”
Albedo made no answer to that. “Can I have one of the servants fetch you a drink?” he asked instead.
Didn’t even offer to get it for me himself. Real high-class gent here. Not!
“I’m not drinking.”
“Ah, yes. You are with child.” There was no warmth in his smile. “It is curious that you were never able to bear children with Cirrus.”
“Likely Liri’s doing,” Sarfina said moodily, folding her arms beneath her chest.
“Don’t worry, dear cousin. He will get what’s coming to him.”
“And what exactly is that?” I challenged, lifting my chest.
Albedo grinned. “Banishment to a lesser realm.”
I narrowed my eyes. “He went willingly. Though, I must say, it is extremely bold of you to show up at the castle after what you’ve done.”
“I mean you no harm, far from it,” Albedo said.
“Don’t you?” I challenged. This prick was on my turf and could very well share all his plans. I intended to pump him for all the information I could.
“Perhaps there is somewhere more private where we can discuss my intentions,” Albedo said, tapping the tip of the silver claw against his leg.
I pursed my lips.
Sarfina huffed impatiently. “He just told you he means you no harm.”
Ignoring her, I told Albedo, “Very well. The throne room isn’t in use. We can talk there.”
“The throne room?” Albedo repeated. This time, his smile looked gleeful.
If only he knew the story of the black widow luring the fly into her web.
“Come with me,” I said. “Not you, Sarfina,” I commanded when she moved forward. Her scowl could have lit up an entire wing of the castle.
“I did say private,” Albedo agreed.
“Just watch out for her,” I heard Sarfina say when my back turned to them.
A pleased smile stretched over my lips.
Yes, Albedo, beware of the elf.
I led the raven-haired faerie from the ballroom, ignoring the curious heads that turned our way. A feeling of power surged through me, turning the rest of the assembly into a blur as I strode with purpose into the hallway.
Galather and Folas were right behind us.
Albedo looked over his shoulder and frowned. “I thought I was to have a private audience.”
“And so you shall. They will escort us as far as the throne room doors.”
Albedo’s smile looked forced, which made my own stretch wider.
“Tell me, is your brother Malon attending the ball? I should like to meet him too.”
“Malon has no head for politics, only amusements.”
Not an answer. I wouldn’t press him. I wouldn’t show an ounce of concern.
“Hmm, yes. Younger siblings certainly have minds of their own.”
“My cousin tells me you are the eldest of three, like me. We have much in common.”
Right. Try nothing other than the first letter of our names and being first born—hardly something to crow about. Albedo was tar, and I was glitter. And I had half a mind to cut out Sarfina’s tongue—the prissy peacock whispering to the raven. What sort of scheme did she have going on with Albedo? It appeared my sister-in-law and I needed to have another talk now that I knew where her loyalties lay.
The temperature felt like it was dropping as we approached the doors to the throne room. From this deep in the castle, the strings from the orchestra were barely an echo against the stone walls.
I stopped in front of the doors and lifted my head regally. Galather and Folas hurried forward to open the doors.
“Wait here,” I said sternly.
They squeezed their lips together and shot daggered looks at Albedo.
“And close the doors,” I added after Albedo and I had stepped into the cavernous throne room.
Wordlessly, the twin guards did as instructed. They didn’t have to say anything to express their displeasure at leaving me alone with Albedo, but we’d gone over a half-dozen scenarios earlier. The wards and spells were in place. The entrance of the throne room was guarded, and by the time I reached the dais, the back entrance would be too. One of the twins would run to that side if Jhaeros hadn’t beaten them already. I had no doubt he’d seen everything and was already positioning himself nearby.
Two torches flamed from either side of the dais. The rest of the throne room was cloaked in shadows that swayed slightly in the flickering light. I took careful steps, not only because it was dark at the entrance of the room, but to give one of the twins, or Jhaeros, time to reach the private door to the royal chamber.
&n
bsp; I didn’t just lead Albedo to the end of the room. I continued up the stairs to the raised platform, interested to see if he would stand below me or follow me up.
He followed me up, his tall top hat making his shadow extra long as it stretched across the platform to the ornately carved and cushioned chair placed on the center of the dais like a shrine.
I passed in front of the chair, my skirts brushing against the thick wooden legs, and sidled up against the side, running a hand across the wooden back. Albedo took up a position on the opposite side, watching me intently.
“Sarfina tells me you are not fond of Liri.”
“Sarfina talks too much,” I said, slouching against the side of the chair, the tops of my breasts heaving forward.
Albedo took a long look, stroking the end of a dark feather that spanned his shoulder to his elbow.
I straightened and lifted my chin. “Why don’t you tell me what you want?”
“The throne. To take my rightful place as king of Dahlquist.”
“And how do you intend to do that?” I scarcely breathed, waiting to hear if he would answer. Unlike Liri, this opponent was entirely new to me, and I didn’t know what to expect.
Silence followed more silence as Albedo stared at me from beneath thin eyebrows and strings of black hair that streaked down his cheeks. The fingers of his right hand curled, bringing the metallic claw inward with them. He stroked the sleek metal with his thumb. Eyes never leaving mine, Albedo stepped in front of the chair and took a seat.
Ah, a demonstration then. A test. A tyrant taking his position, challenging me to oust him.
My pulse quickened in anticipation. This was no board game, but I couldn’t suppress the sizzle of excitement crackling in my veins at the match come to life. Liri had entrusted me with the keys to his kingdom. But I wasn’t playing this game for him. I didn’t know who it was for. Certainly not Jastra or Sarfina. Perhaps I did it for my own amusement. Ultimately, this was for family—no matter what our issues—and it was about winning. I would not lose the crown and I wasn’t about to let this jerkoff take Dahlquist from us.
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