There are no rumblings of the Goddess beneath my skin. Nothing to suggest we might harm Aiyana.
“I don’t like her. That doesn’t mean I’m going to kill her,” I continue when he fails to release me.
Yet.
One of her attendants crouches beneath the throne and allows her to step on him to aid her descent onto the docks, and my dislike ratchets up another level.
It takes me a second to realise I can still see Mab, and that’s what holds my tongue. Aiyana isn’t using her power to try to block me. Is that a peace offering, or just because she’s realised the futility of it?
“Nicnevin.” She bows her head when she reaches me, and the subservient gesture doesn’t suit her. “I came to bid you safe travels on the remainder of your pilgrimage.”
I doubt she means that. She’s simply trying to save face. I can see the fae beyond the soldiers watching expectantly, eager for the drama that began in the arena to continue. If Aiyana manages some kind of cordial send off, perhaps it will do something to regain the respect of her people.
She’s recovered from yesterday’s events well. Her gown and makeup are perfect once more, and there isn’t a trace of the shaking, scared female who asked me to spare her life.
My stone-faced silence must be getting to her, because the spring queen clears her throat, beckoning forwards one of her other attendants.
“These are gifts. Charms, potions, and other things that might help on your travels. I hope they serve you well.” She pauses again, then sighs. “I was wrong, and I took things too far. I was hurting.”
“That’s no excuse.”
“All I can say is that I was young and inlove. Heknewhe was the first person I’d let in since my mate tried to kill me, and when I confessed and begged him not to leave me for a female he’d just met, he didn’t care.” She swallows, brushing her fingers through her braids. “It was a rejection that stung more because I chose him for myself. As I chose Neila.”
I pin her with a look. “If you—”
“I have no desire to repeat my mistakes.” She clicks her fingers, and her attendants back off, leaving the two of us relatively alone. “I will respect whatever she decides. In the spirit of repentance, I offer you this knowledge: Mervyn was seen leaving the city before dawn this morning, headed for Siabetha.”
“Why should the whereabouts of one priest matter to me?” I ask, confused.
“Because I’ve long suspected he’s a spy from the Summer Court. If I’m right, then you should be aware that he knows about your fifth Guard.”
“Which means Eero will too,” I finish for her.
Her head dips in a regal nod. “The Summer Court has eyes and ears everywhere, and even your lady mother only managed to stay ahead of their schemes thanks to her foresight. Without that advantage, it’s best if you enter and leave as swiftly as you can. Trust no one, Nicnevin.”
“Are you suggesting I trust you instead?” Goddess only knows how I manage to hold back the snort that threatens to break free at the idea.
Aiyana looks past me, to the opposite bank of the river where yet more fae are gathered. “I spoke the vow, did I not?”
“You did.”
She spoke more than one in her desperation to live. Bargains hang heavy between us now.
Aiyana laughs. “Treat everyone you meet in the other courts with the same scepticism, and you might just live long enough to face the Fomorians.”
“When I do, I expect your soldiers to be there.” I turn, heading for the gangplank. “With you at their helm.”
She may not be a warrior, but something tells me you don’t survive hundreds of years as a minor queen without learning to fight.
I’m proved right when she nods. “As you wish, Nicnevin.”
The barge sways beneath my feet, and I cling to Jaro’s arm for support as he leads me up onto the deck. The silver oars are enchanted, and as soon as we’re all safely on deck, they push us out into the centre of the river.
“Rosie, look.” Jaro points into the water as the cheers of the fae swell once more, filling my ears.
A hundred gold and silver eels are swimming alongside us, turning the river into a stream of molten metal. It’s beautiful, but I can’t quite put the way they jumped out of the water to eat a fae alive from my mind as I watch them happily escorting us to the city wall.
Thirty-One
