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He lifts my chin, angling my face toward the glowing ball of light somehow still floating behind him, almost like it’s waiting.
“You were so beautiful before.” Disapproval creases his brow, shadowing his eyes, oddly reminding me of the holes the nightmare looked out of. “I can’t believe they haven’t fixed this for you.”
“What do you mean?” I get it, he wants to help me, but saying shit like that does the opposite.
“The House of Shadow is known to shun favors for vain reasons. I rarely see them grant boons at all.” His displeasurerolls off him in waves. “All they need to do is hide your flaws, and you’re safe from banishment.”
“To be fair, I haven’t asked them.”
He blinks. “Why not?”
Because the curse prevents me, I want to say. Because I don’t trust them. But the truth is, I could have found a way. I’m too stubborn and proud to admit weakness around them.
“Don’t worry. That’s why we’re here.”
“Where’s here exactly?”
He gestures down a dark path behind him. “I thought you figured it out.”
My perplexed look spurs him on.
“It’s a tavern run by a witch. She spells the entrance to move locations. Once inside, you can only leave after reading an enchantment that burns away memories gained while in there. All we’re left with are the clues I gave you and the knowledge this place exists. Want it bad enough, and the location magically comes to you.”
I want to say that I had no clue, but wouldn’t that mean I never wanted to meet him badly enough? Maybe my stumbling into these woodswasme wanting it bad enough. I clear my throat.
“So . . . burn after reading . . . so there’s no evidence. Clever.”
“Yep. Not even Radiants have the power to break the enchantment.”
“Radiants come here?”
He snorts. “Even they can’t stand the rigid rules of the Old Code. Come on. Seeing is believing.”
He takes my hand, and the glowing orb hums along the path, lighting the way for us. Rhythmic music grows louder as we walk.
“If we can find a Radiant willing to exchange favors for a charm that makes you pretty again, we can keep you safe. At least until the tournament.”
My free hand toys with my hair, pulling strands free to hide my face.
We stop at a thicket guarded by a horned howl who scrutinizes us from a high branch. It hoots twice, and then the thicket separates. Roots and branches break repetitively, creaking and cracking like breaking bones. A glittering tunnel opens, leading to a bonfire-lit space in the near distance.
The air thrums with primal drumbeats and feels infused with heavy magics. An alluring spice goes straight to my head, racing my heart. Alfie drags me through the tunnel, grinning from ear to ear. As we emerge on the other side, tingling fire ants burn through my body. The onslaught is dizzying. Almost as bad as crossing a portal.
“You’ll get used to it,” he says, a little distracted.
My breathing slows as I take in the scene. We’ve emerged into a glade surrounded by thick oak trees hiding secret, shadowy alcoves on every side except for one. Over the gathering crowd of revelers, a setting sun paints a turquoise thatched roof gold. Moments ago, it was midnight.
Brine in the balmy air belongs to a warmer climate by the ocean. I glimpse the furled sail of a ship over the thatched roof. I’m sure I heard waves from the forest. If this music was quieter, I’d probably hear the ocean now. But it’s hard to focus when faeries, mortals, and everything in between drunkenly participate in a debauched free-for-all.
Chapter
Thirty-One
WILLOW
Alfie tosses an arm around my shoulder and guides me onto a lush, rose-scented lawn.
“They’re wild tonight,” he jokes.
