Page 97 of The Hocus Pocus Handbook

“No trickery, just pixie penmanship,” Zeph says.

It seems like they hid an entire clause in the ornate swirl of an o. This is… I don’t even have a word for the joy sparkling through me with all the fizz of sparkling honey wine.

“Unacceptable,” Lady Valnevi shrieks. “We will fight to the death before honoring—”

“No.” The simple word from Lady Mirralee quiets everyone in the room. “This is not dishonest. The words were written so you could have seen them, had you been more observant or if you had a trusted pixie in your employ. I opine that this contract is valid, the required time has elapsed for failure, and the quorum now has jurisdiction over Winter’s affairs. What say you, Pell? Lord Sorren?”

“Valid,” the Lord of Summer says.

“It’s valid,” Pell agrees. “Delicious! Ridiculously apropos. To think I considered missing this entirely. I’m so glad I put on my good boots.”

Those are the good boots? I sneak another peek at them. Still muddy. Fascinating.

Lady Mirralee makes a gesture, taking the contract from Pell. “Your complaints are noted and dismissed. The next order of business is—”

Lord Liskaal draws a hidden dagger and rushes at Mirralee, but one rather handsome gruagach in Autumn livery restrains Liskaal casually, forcing him to his knees. “Our people will rise up in revolution! They will never accept this travesty!”

Lord Sorren bursts out laughing. “You’re delusional. You must have no notion how much they hate you.”

“He’s right,” Pell adds. “So very right! They’ll likely throw a party. Oh, I do love parties. I hope there’s cake.”

“We can do that once all business is complete,” Mirralee says. “Zeph, I believe you have a nomination for the Summer marital alliance with Winter?”

“I offer Thea Summer, formerly affiliated with Winter, but she held no official titles. Here are the documents formalizing her relationship with our house.”

“Everyone knows that Devan Fenelon has ties to Summer and Autumn,” Lady Valnevi screeches. “This is all bias and corruption!”

Ties to Summer and Autumn? I glance at Lord Sorren, who merely smiles at the accusation. Does that mean Zeph is the mysterious scion, born to Lady Mirralee and, maybe, the Lord of Summer? This is a game changer.

“And who is next in line for leadership in the House of Winter?” Pell asks. “Lineage is such a nuisance. Let’s do a lottery instead! Everyone who belongs to Winter, put your names in a bowl! Any boggins could do a better job at ruling than those two.” They indicate the pair screaming and twisting in the guards’ custody.

Pell has a point.

Zeph ignores that suggestion, as it likely doesn’t fit their vision. Random boggins rule assuredly doesn’t suit this complicated scheme. “That would be Kerboros.”

“Does anyone object?” Lady Mirralee asks.

They ignore the futile shouting from Lord Liskaal, now being forced onto his face, cheek smashed against the glossy tiles. Lady Valnevi receives similar treatment as the voting takes place. Within moments, it’s over, a unanimous decision resulting in a bloodless coup.

Kerboros seems stunned, too shocked to speak, by his sudden rise to power. He’s escorted to the high table and offered the seat that belongs to the Lord of Winter. His gaze meets mine across the room, and I smile.

He’s saved. I can breathe again. So this was Zeph’s gambit? Hide a fail-safe in the marriage contract and then misdirect and delay, delay, delay? Well. It worked. It likely helps that they were getting constant reports from Summer and Autumn, at least until we wound up in the In-Between. I do believe that wasn’t part of the original plan.

Pell indicates the two prostrated before the assembly, spitting hate. “Whatever shall we do with them? They’ll cause trouble, left to their own devices. Oh! We could cover them in metal and turn them into statues!” They seem so very delighted with the idea that they don’t realize how everyone is staring in wide-eyed horror.

I hope things are all right for the wild fae in Springtide. I don’t think this ancient fae has many tethers left to reality.

Lord Sorren clears his throat because there’s no way to respond to any of that, turning to Kerboros. “Lord Winter? What is your decree?”

Everyone glances at Kerboros, who displays a menacing aspect. “Strip them of their magic and banish them to the mortal realm.”

“That’s a death sentence,” Liskaal snarls.

“Not immediately. You’ll suffer. And that’s the judgment you imposed on Thea. It’s fitting for you to experience it for yourselves.”

“I like you,” Lady Mirralee says in an approving tone. “House Winter is certain to improve under your leadership.”

Only afterward do I realize what this means. They intend for me to marry Kerboros to seal the peace accords between Summer and Winter. Without Liskaal and Valnevi agitating for war, it’s largely a symbolic gesture, and I suspect it’s also an apology from Zeph. For not sharing their intentions sooner.