Page 44 of Fate of the Sun King

Those words kick me in the stomach as I glance at Nadir and then back at Etienne.

“You didn’t tell me that.”

Nadir shrugs. “I wanted it to be a surprise.” He winks, and I should be annoyed, but Etienne still sits on one knee, looking at me like I’m Zerra herself.

“He’s waiting for you to tell him to get up,” Nadir stage-whispers.

“What?” I flap my hands in his direction. “Oh my gods. Get up. Please get up.”

Etienne drops his head again and then stands before bowing to me. “It has been an honor to serve you since we learned of your existence. When Nadir told me he’d found you, I knew our miracle had finally come.”

I open my mouth, still not sure how to react. Nadir explained that those living here believed their queen would return, but being confronted by it twists my nerves into tangled knots. It’s one thing to hear about it and think about it as a concept, but these are real-life people with thoughts and feelings who lost everything because of what my grandmother did. And I suspect they want me to fix all of it.

“Were you there?” I ask, whispering the words as though they might lash out and slice me open. “Did you know her?”

Why Nadir didn’t tell me about Etienne’s origins is a discussion we’ll be having later.

He shakes his head. “I was there. I fought The Aurora’s soldiers that night as they invaded the city. I saw and felt the blast from a distance and was tossed off my feet by the force. I think I must’ve flown at least a hundred feet.” He gestures to his face. “That’s how I got this.”

Horror crumples in my chest at the knowledge my grandmother was responsible for his injury.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, tears stinging my eyes, but he shakes his head.

“What’s done is done. What matters is that you’ve returned, my queen.”

I nod slowly, wishing that were true. How will I fix all of this? When my mother described the selective bits of our history, I couldn’t have comprehended how vast the scope of all this was. She made it sound like we’d just show up one day and take over a castle and live happily ever after, but I realize now how naive that was.

Did she not understand? Maybe she hadn’t wanted to scare us with the truth.

“Did you have magic that you lost?” I ask, but he shakes his head.

“I am not connected to the Imperial family in any way. My magic is not that of Heart, and it returned with the rest.”

I recall when Nadir explained the different types of Fae power—common versus Imperial magic—and how the first could belong to anyone but the latter belonged to the land the Artefact was tied to. At least my family didn’t take that from him.

“And no, I did not know the queen or her Primary. I was merely a common soldier in Heart’s army,” Etienne adds.

“Oh,” I say.

“But don’t worry,” Etienne says quickly, as if sensing my disappointment. “As I explained in my last message, I know just the person for you to talk to. She can’t wait to speak with you.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

We follow Etienne out of his tiny flat and back into the streets of Heart. Evening has started to fall, the sky washing in pinks and reds. I look towards where I know the Heart Castle sits in the distance, empty and devoid of life, except for those roses growing all over its surface.

Nadir said he was sure they were evidence of my presence, and I hope that means this is the path I’m meant to be following. That as terrifying as it seems to try to make this right, perhaps I’ll be able to find my way.

“Put up your hood,” Nadir says as he does the same, darkening his face into obscurity.

Would anyone recognize me? Thankfully my physical traits—brown skin and dark hair and eyes—are common amongst the people of Heart, and all three of us blend in easily enough.

Nadir grips my hand as Etienne leads us through the bustling crowd. While things are rough on the surface, it’s obvious people have built a life for themselves where friends and families meet over drinks, food, and conversation. Being amongst these strangers waiting for something that’s potentially within my control causes my throat to knot with emotion.

Finally, we stop outside a shop where a pair of large windows face the street. Inside, we find an array of mismatched tables and chairs, along with the distinct aroma of brewing tea. A counter sits at the back, lined with rows and rows of silver canisters, all labeled with different flavors, from strawberry pear to something called ruby mint. I want to sample it all, but that’s not what we’re here for.

Etienne continues his determined stride as we pass through the shop to a door at the back that leads us into a narrow corridor. We continue up a flight of stairs, emerging into what looks like a workshop. Large tables are surrounded by stools where people scribble furiously on paper. Rows of weapons line one far wall, and against another is a shelf so stuffed with books that haphazard piles have begun to form at its base like teetering mountains.

At first, only one or two of the dozen or so Fae notice our entrance. A small gasp draws the attention of a few more before, suddenly, everyone in the room is staring at us. I exchange a look with Nadir, but he’s got that usual half smirk on his face, clearly unfazed by all of this.