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He nods. “Music, magic, all of it.”
Around me, gargoyles bump and grind with abandon, their rocky bodies creating a cacophony of stone-on-stone contact. It's a surprising sight, seeing creatures that appear like statues gyrate with such fluidity. Their movements are bold, exaggerated, as if they're completely unaware of their hardness.
For a moment, I allow myself to get lost in it, closing my eyes and swaying to the beat.
“Hey!” Griffin says in excitement, “Look at you go.”
I don’t open my eyes, letting the music fill me up, and guide me. Before I know it, my body begins to move on its own accord, lost to the bliss of music.
23
Valeria
I’ve lost track oftime, unsure of how I’ve been in my own little world. Opening my eyes, I notice most of the gargoyles have cleared out, except Griffin and two of the lady ghosts.
Asmo and the queen are nowhere to be found.
As I reach Griffin, I barely make out the clacking of stone on stone over the music, drawing my eyes to a pair of gargoyles in the corner. From what I can see, I think they’re attempting to kiss in the privacy of the dark. They gaze at each other affectionately, their stone bodies making it difficult for their lips to touch. With an awkward blink, their stone heads connect, and they seem satisfied with their display of affection.
The sight is both endearing andconfusing, and I can't help but shake my head as I take it all in, returning my attention to Griffin.
"Where did Asmo go?"
His white hair is sweaty, his bare chest gleaming from his efforts. In his hand is a flask; the distinctive scent of whiskey hits me, leaving an anticipatory tang on my tongue despitenot having tasted it. "Who knows. Probably off brooding somewhere."
I shake my head as I slip from the throne room, leaving the party behind.
Asmo has to be around here somewhere…
Wandering through the back door of the keep, I step into the courtyard, the light of the moons highlighting every tree and flower, and the mage lights floating throughout the air casting a warm amber glow on the rest.
It’s empty save for the queen, gazing at the twinkling night sky above.
"Excuse me, your Majesty," I say politely, "Have you seen where Asmo went?"
She turns her stunning blue eyes toward me, shaking her head. "No, I haven't. But before you go searching for him, I wanted to talk to you." I blink at the queen, my pulse echoing in my bones. After a short pause, she adds. “Alone.”
My heart skips, my ribs somehow closing in on my lungs, making it hard to breathe. "Of course,” I say, swallowing hard and taking a seat on the bench next to her.What could the queen possibly want to discuss with me?"What may I help you with?" I struggle to keep my voice steady. Between the punch and the colors and the worry that seems to seep from every nerve of my body, it’s a miracle that I manage to.
"Valeria," she begins, eyeing me carefully, "I know who you are."
"Excuse me?" I say, caught off guard by her statement. My pulse quickens until I have the urge to flee, to sprint into the forest and never look back. The only reason I don’t is because I know I wouldn’t make it far.
"I know that you're a Nightborn, the daughter of the elf lord." She’s watching my reaction closely, reading me like an openbook. Lying isn’t an option. She’d see right through it. "What I don't know is why you're here and not in the Elven Islands."
Clearing my throat, I turn my spine to steel, meeting her knowing gaze. "I mean no harm to anyone here," I assure her. "I don't support what my father has done. I could never agree with slaughtering an innocent village in the name of war."
"Good," the queen says softly. "But it's not safe for you here, at least not if Asmo doesn't know the truth. Your father has made many enemies and if someone were to find out and you were left unprotected…" She doesn’t finish the sentence. She doesn’t have to. “I know he made a blood deal with you. If someone hurts you, I lose him. I hope you understand what I’m saying.”
"Please," I beg, desperation clawing at my throat. "There’s got to be another way. If Asmo knew, he'd force me to go home. He wouldn’t so much as look at me without blood rage. My father is the reason this keep was in ruins and why his people died. I can't be sure he wouldn't take it out on me if he knew I’m a Nightborn."
The queen studies me for a moment before asking again, "Why were you on the mainland in the first place?"
"My ship was attacked on the way to be blessed to marry a man I don't love—can't love. He's a narcissist and left me for dead in the water. The only reason I survived is because the reaper took mercy and helped me get to the mainland. If I go back, I'll be forced down the aisle."
Alice nods, her eyes filled with understanding. "For now, your secret is safe with me. But you'll have to tell Asmo eventually." She hesitates before adding, "You should be at the court meeting tomorrow. He’s told me that he made you the Lady of Grim’s and therefore, there are things you should know."
"Thank you," I whisper, relief washing over me. "I understand."
