Page 36 of Crown of the Courtesan

“I’ve never traveled to the Beast Realm before. I hear it’s like the Human Realm but with mostly beastfolk.”

He nods, guiding me into a sweeping turn where he supports my exposed back with his broad, firm hand.

“There’s a mix of monsters and halflings and humans—that’s true. But everyone lives together harmoniously, enjoying our southern climate and thriving artistic culture,” Rett describes, his voice rich with love for his home. “You must allow me to escort you there someday. You’ll see how peaceful it is, a place ruled by a single empire rather than the land broken up and squabbled over by different kingdoms as you do in the Human Realm.”

“It sounds wonderful,” I say, but my attention drifts. From the shadowy edge of the ballroom, Balor’s dark eyes track my every move like a gathering storm. His presence feels ominous, sucking the lightness from the air. Sweat beads along my temples.

“The Empire abolished many archaic laws generations ago. Women have full rights and freedoms.” He gives me a meaningful stare. “I think you’d find Delamere quite forward-thinking.”

I return his gaze, not wanting to see Balor. “I’d like to visit someday. To experience it for myself.”

“This song is about to end, but I must tell you my true reason for being here tonight.” Tension simmers under his words. Rett lifts and catches me by my waist as the melody climaxes, pausing our conversation momentarily. He lowers me, and my hand rests on his smooth palm as the room spins. “I want to share so much more with you, but we cannot risk being overheard.”

I’m unsure whether my heart is beating fast because of the physical exertion or the danger in his words. I whisper, “Is it something serious?”

“Don’t look now,” he says. “The Grand Chancellor is walking toward us. If you wish to learn the truth about what’s happening in your kingdom, meet me at the Pickled Pixie Tavern tonight.” He pulls away, his smile twitching as he baits me.

But before I can give him my reply, Balor intrudes. His frigid hands clamp around mine as he demands the next dance, looking practically murderous.

Seventeen

ASHLAND

Noise bounces off the stone walls. Every assertive mouth in attendance thinks it has the most important piece of information for planning the counterattack. Yet nobody can agree on the right course of action. The room stinks of stress and body odor as my commanders arrive fresh from battle.

“You said to wait, and now look where that’s gotten us!”

A sheathed long sword slams on the tabletop, rattling the stacks of papers and maps strewn across it.

“Already a thousand dead, and this whore just started,” someone in the back yells.

I unclasp my hands and rise from my place at the head of the onyx table. Walking the circumference of the table, I stop in front of the detailed map of our world nailed to the wall, staring at that little dot.

The little dot that exists, after all.

The dot who proves to be no better than those before her.

A killer.

I swallow and clear my throat. The room falls silent as my quiet rage rises to the surface. With controlled calm, I order, “Let the plan commence.”

Eighteen

“If Finn finds out I helped you leave, he’ll never forgive me.” Klara’s anxious voice follows me through my bedchambers and out the double glass doors onto my private terrace.

“You have nothing to worry about. We already got rid of the guards. Now hoist me over.”

On the far edge of the garden, a towering battlement wall meets the moat, separating the castle from the city. I can hear choppy water lapping at the moss-covered stone on the other side.

Despite her warnings, Klara huffs as she lifts my wobbling legs. With her help and the vines creeping along the smooth surface of the wall, I manage to pull my torso over the blunt ledge.

I hear an “Umpf!” as she falls backward onto the grass. “Remember—three in the morn, or I’m calling the guard,” she hisses. “I mean it!”

Swinging my feet over the other side, I stop and sit. From this vantage point, I can see most of Alexandria lit up, alive with the celebrations that continue late into the night—the aroma of roasted lamb and pork wafts through the cool air. Something moves in the moat’s water below, but it’s too dark underneath the inky depths to know precisely what lurks.

I take a deep breath.

Now what?