Tension and anticipation curl inside me, like a snake waiting to strike.
“I think…” Mary says slowly. “No. Not yet.”
The snake sighs, disappointed.
My role is to protect the Seelie Court—and by extension, Scotland—and if I determine that Darnley is a threat, then, well…
I don’t have to obey the queen, not in matters that threaten the security of the fae realm. But Darnley is merely a stepping stone for this plot, I’m sure of it. I need to know how he got the stone he used to kill David.
Where it came from.
If the other weapons I’ve found are also from him.
If there are more traitors in this court.
“The Red Caps,” Mary says, pulling me back to the present, “they’ve not tried to reenter Scotland for many years, correct?”
I nod. Not since the Romans attacked. It was Hadrian’s Wall, I think, that inspired the Seelie Court of so long ago to erect a magical barrier. Let the Red Caps join the Romans. And let their wars spill blood on lands other than this one.
“Why now?”
“I don’t know,” I confess. “It could just be that someone found a stash of their weapons and is using them on their own. It could be that some discontent Red Cap is trying to sow chaos. They really are just monsters, eager to kill every man, woman, and child.” I shrug. “Any of these are possibilities.”
What I don’t say is what I truly fear: that after centuries, the Red Caps have finally discovered that I am the weakest guardian of the wall since its inception, and they know I’m not good enough to protect everyone.
I have nothing to support that other than my own self-doubts. Technically, every Leth and fae in Scotland helps with the wall by tithing a little bit of their magic back to the land.
But it’s my job to ensure the wall holds.
I meet Mary’s eyes. “I have to go check on the border. To make sure…”
Mary shakes her head. “No,” she says forcefully enough that the bounds of my silence glamour are tested. “I need you here, to protect me.” Her gaze flicks to the needle I still carefully clutch.
“You’ll remember that I outrank you in the shadows,” I growl, “and while it suits me to protect you while I’m protecting Scotland, you’d best also remember that’s a choice I made, not an obligation I’m bound to.”
Lady Livingston sucks in her breath.No onetalks to the queen like this.
“You think I don’t put my country first?” Mary says, glaring at me.
I don’t bother answering. We both know that Mary likes the gold and the respect but not the responsibility. I would sympathize with her, but I don’t even get gold or respect.
“I’ll be back in a day or three,” I say, turning on my heel.
“You’re not dismissed!” Mary calls.
I flick my hands, and the glamour that hid us evaporates. I send another glamour in its place—a dark mark on the queen’s face.
It works perfectly.
“Your Highness!” Lady Seton—now properly clothed again—exclaims in shock. “What’s on your face?”
Mary gasps in horror, her hands going to her cheek. The other women all turn to her, calling for cosmetics and cloths, assuring her it isn’t a blemish and can be cleaned.
Lady Reres gives me a subtle nod, approving of my distraction.
No one else notices as I stride out of the room.
2
