“And the Moon Court had belonged to my grandfather,” Knight said, “before it was taken from him. Besides, werewolves don’t live as long as fairies.”
“You claim that everything is well under control in your courts then. You have no problems.” Esmeralda swept her gaze over us. “Myrtha, I heard the wilis you’ve recently created are dying in agony.”
Myrtha flushed. “Actually, Irene is a new wili, and she’s perfectly fine.” Her voice sounded small and uncertain.
Irene shifted on her chair when Esmeralda angled towards her. “It’s true. I’m a new wili, but my power is growing.”
“Indeed.” Esmeralda turned towards Knight. “What about you, Knight? Are the rumours about trouble in your court unfounded?”
“What troubles?” Knight lacked confidence as well.
I exchanged a glance with Darius. We were aware of the outbreak of rabies in the Moon Court. Humans wouldn’t get infected, and that was the reason Knight had managed to keep the outbreak quiet.
“I heard that Mr. Nathaniel Graves, the son of the late Moon Duke, claims he wants to challenge your position as Moon Duke,” Esmeralda said. “Is a new war coming?”
I was surprised by her knowledge. Each court had informants and sometimes spies throughout London, but Graves’s complaints shouldn’t have reached the fairies.
A muscle in Knight’s face twitched. “No war is coming.” He didn’t add anything else.
“The Fair Court aims to create an equal and safe world for both supernatural beings and humans.” Esmeralda didn’t soften. “With your attitude of mistrust?—”
“Mistrust? Us?” Knight curled up his upper lip. “It’s you who doesn’t trust us.”
Esmeralda narrowed her gaze. “Convince me that the situation in the Moon Court is normal and safe and that Myrtha isn’t losing her power in the Dark Court, and I’ll change my mind.”
“What does Myrtha’s power have to do with anything?” I was growing impatient.
“Everything.” Esmeralda lifted her chin. “If her power is vanishing, then it’s true that her wilis are dying, and thus the power of the Dark Court isn’t only diminishing but also causing harm to people. Many of the witches and wizards, who were with Koschei, left because they didn’t agree with your leadership. And that’s concerning as well. Is your leadership making the court weaker?”
She wasn’t completely wrong. Myrtha’s power had started to dwindle when I’d become the duke, which didn’t make sense. Koschei had been an abusive, cruel duke towards humans, yet Myrtha’s power had thrived. But now she was growing weaker.
I worked my jaw. “I don’t think there’s a reason to be concerned.”
“Besides,” Knight said, “the Fair Court isn’t violent. How will you impose your will on us?”
Judging by how Esmeralda’s face became serious, I would say she would become violent. “That proves my point. You and Ravenhill believe that violence is the only solution to every problem. There are many ways harmony can be achieved, which don’t involve violence. Think about what I told you, gentlemen, and keep your courts under control. This meeting ends here.” She rose, and I did as well. “Just remember, the power of the fairies is ancient, more ancient than vampires and werewolves. Or mages.” She pinned Darius with a glare.
She left the room without making a sound, followed by the other fairies. Instead, Knight scoffed and puffed, muttering curses.
“Knight, I need to meet you.” I chased him down the corridor. “Tonight. Whitechapel.”
“If it’s about Graves, I don’t have time.”
“It’s about something else. And you’ll have time.”
“Fine.” He glowered and spun towards the front door in a flutter of grey fabric.
We exited Winterdale without talking. Myrtha looked mortified, Darius was fuming, and Irene was worried.
“What did Esmeralda mean by her speech on not needing violence?” Irene asked as she climbed into the carriage.
“Good question. Can she overpower us?” I turned towards Darius.
He scratched his chin. “I suppose she can. Fairy magic is an ancestral force that precedes even my type of magic.”
Myrtha rubbed her forehead. “This is my fault.”
“No, it’s not,” we chorused.
