“Youwillbe my new court minstrel, or I will take him into the Stain and feed him to the shadow skins while you watch.”
Emeline’s spine straightened. The very thought of that thing she’d met in the woods tonight, inside Pa’s mind, killing him slowly with his own terror …
She would never let that happen.
But staying here in the Wood King’s court? Forever?
It would require giving upeverything: the life she was building, her budding music career. She’d worked so hard to get where she was; she couldn’t give it up now.
Maybe there’s a way to do both.
To save her grandfather and keep her dream.
If Emeline agreed to be the king’s singer, Pa would go free. Once he was safe, all she’d need to do was find a way to escape. Rooke had gotten her inside the city; surely, Emeline could find a way to get herself out—preferably before her tour started.
Maybe she didn’t have to lose everything.
Maybe she could save Paandherself.
She calmed her trembling voice until it was smooth as a river stone. “I’ll stay and be your minstrel. Just let my grandfather go.”
Emeline’s guard loosened his grip on her wrists but didn’t release her.
The king’s crescent pupils burned into her. “You do not make commands,” he said. “Your grandfather will remain here until you demonstrate your suitability for the position. When I am satisfied that you are sufficiently biddable, and your singing acceptable,thenEwan Lark will return home. You have one week to impress me, singer. If you fail, I’ll feed you both to the shadow skins.”
One week?
This was bad.
The bronze-armored hedgemen grabbed Pa beneath his armpits and hauled him to his feet.
“Wait! Where are you taking him?” At her voice, Pa turned his head. From the look in his startled eyes, he didn’t recognize her. His mind was too clouded by terror.
“H-help me,” he begged.
Emeline struggled against her guard’s hold, but his grip was a vise, forcing her to be still. She held her grandfather’s gaze and made herself sound certain and calm.
“Everything is going to be okay. I’m going to get you home. I promise.”
They shoved him onwards. Pa stumbled and looked down to his feet. Emeline watched as they led her trembling, stammering grandfather out of the grove, down the lantern-lit path, and into the night.
The moment she couldn’t see him anymore, Emeline’s guard released his grip on her. The shock set in, and her legs gave out. She fell to the cold ground, hands planted in the dirt.
What if I fail?
She couldn’t fail. That was clear. Emeline needed to find a way to please the king and prove herself suitable—long enough to save Pa, at least.
And then she needed to escape.
You are a professional musician,she told herself.You can do this.
“Emeline.” Rooke crouched down beside her. “If you’re ready, I’ll take you to your rooms.”
She glanced up into his pale face. His dark brown eyes shone with something like regret.
“You.” Her hands fisted in the dirt. “This was your plan all along.”
“Something like it, yes.”
