Page 35 of Tale of the Heart Queen

If they don’t find themselves banished to the Underworld for their misdeeds, most people—fae and humans alike—just cease to exist, their souls floating in the ether until they’re claimed by another body to do it all over again. Or at least that’s the theory. Fae live so long that we don’t tend to give much thought to the afterlife.

“Not in the way you mean,” she answers, “but you aren’t really alive right now either.”

“What . . . does that mean?”

“Ohh,” she coos. “Don’t trouble yourself with such deep thoughts. You’re still recovering and need rest to build up your strength.”

No, I don’t like that answer. Either I’ve been captured by a lunatic or I really am lying in a bed in the Evanescence. It’s hard to decide which is less disturbing.

I struggle to sit up, but she places a hand on my shoulder and easily forces me back. I’m as strong as a baby bird.

“Ah ah,” she scolds. “You’re staying here until you have some rest. I remember how you land dwellers require sleep. So inconvenient. Don’t worry—when you become mine, we’ll do away with such trifling needs. Being a demigod has its issues, but there are many perks, too.”

I’m having trouble forming coherent thoughts, but did she just say “demigod” and “mine”? More alarm bells ring in my head, pinging around the inside of my skull like sharp iron burrs.

“Come,” Zerra says. “Dinner is ready, and we mustn’t be late.”

She grabs my wrist and tugs, dragging me into a seated position. My head spins, my vision tipping sideways. What happened to insisting I lie down and rest?

Once my mind clears, I use the opportunity to take stock of my surroundings. I’m in a large oval room covered in cream rugs, surrounded by cream walls decorated with a pattern that might be clouds. Long windows surround us like we’re inside a tower. Beyond the windows, I see only pale mist and wispy clouds against a light blue sky.

The Evanescence.

This . . . cannot be.

And yet, somehow, I know it’s true.

“Here are some clothes for you.”

Zerra lays out a pair of white pants and a shirt at the foot of the bed.

“I’ll just wait while you dress.”

She drops into a chair and props an elbow on the table next to it, blinking at me with her bright blue eyes. I lift the hem of the sheet covering my lap, and yep, I’m completely naked. I try not to think too hard about how I got this way. Zerra’s a god, surely she wouldn’t—

Except she’s watching me like she’s preparing for a show.

“Could you leave?” I ask. “I’m not wearing anything underneath.”

She smiles with a raw mania carved into the lines of her face.

“Like I said, nothing I haven’t already seen.” She then gives me an exaggerated wink that I think is supposed to be sexy or cute, but it’s neither. It just makes me shudder.

“Yeah, well. I’m awake now and would prefer the dignity of dressing without an audience,” I say, trying to keep the growl out of my voice. Something tells me it’ll be best to remain on her good side and keep my temper. Not exactly my strongest quality.

Her smile drops into a pout. “Oh, you’re no fun,” she says, toying with the bow at her neckline. It’s then I finally take a proper look. She’s wearing a sheer robe, and I catch the hint of her bare breasts and pink nipples through the material. What the fuck is happening here?

“I could show you mine in exchange.” She tugs on the silk, and her robe slips open, revealing her perfect round breasts and flat stomach. Thankfully, she’s wearing panties, but they’re so small they can barely be called that. Wildly uncomfortable, I look away.

“No, thank you,” I say. “That isn’t necessary.”

I hear her moving, and I look over, careful to keep my eyes glued to her face. She stands in front of me with her hands on her hips, and then she taps my nose. I try not to flinch.

“Very well,” she says in a tired voice. “I’ll allow you your modesty for now. I’ll see it all soon enough.”

Then she turns and saunters across the room. When she opens the door, all I see beyond it is more of the same misty sky.

“Call for a servant when you’re ready,” she says.