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“But your highness,” Julian said smoothly. “Why would I ever expect you, the queen of the seelie court, had something to hide?”
Nice one.
“I wish to have an audience with the seer alone,” the queen said, having regained composure, along with her original beauty. She flicked her hand at Julian dismissively. I didn’t think the attraction I felt would return though, after seeing what I had—magic or no magic. “In exchange, I offer information that may be useful regarding the premature death of a young shifter woman.”
“That’s impossible, I’m afraid,” Julian said, but I stopped him with my hand. If she had information, then we needed it. And the fact she already knew about it…
“I’ll give you five minutes,” I said.
“Then it is settled.” The queen grinned, leaning forward in her seat.
It didn’t take psychic abilities to tell Julian was not happy with this arrangement. Maybe it was the growl or the glowing crimson eyes.
“No more bargains,” he said so quietly I wasn’t sure he’d actually spoken as he turned to leave.
He disappeared from view, leaving me alone and feeling exposed. But if she hurt me, it would be obvious who the guilty party was, I reasoned, and would mean problems I was sure she’d rather avoid.
“Wine?” she asked, drinking deeply from a goblet made of what looked like leaves.
It was a bit disconcerting, watching objects appear out of thin air. But fae magic and witch magic had little in common, other than being tied to the Earth. In my family’s world, nothing could be created out of thin air. It had to be taken from somewhere else or changed from something else. Either way, I wasn’t about to agree to eating or drinking anything in this realm.
“No thanks, Your Majesty. What information did you have on the shifter’s disappearance?”
“Very well. Business it is. Do not trust your eyes, only your extra senses. You will be one of the few who can see the truth.”
I mulled over her words. That was a cryptic response, and not especially helpful since my abilities weren’t foolproof or complete. But it was clear she really knew more, and that piqued my interest. “Sounds like you know who took her.” Was the queen the mole? I wished I hadn’t sent Julian away so quickly.
She tilted her head, silver hair spilling over her shoulder in mesmerizing waves. “I’d be willing to tell you more for a price.”
“I doubt you’d be forthcoming with anything specific,” I challenged, taking a step forward, but focusing on the quartz crystal of the throne and the way the facets reflected dizzying light like a myriad of prisms.
The earth shook again, but I was ready this time and didn’t stumble during her little temper tantrum. “What do you want, specifically?”
“The name of the perpetrator.” I knew the rules. She could be tricky yet had to speak the truth, and I had to be wary of what I gave in return. Julian would be hopping mad. But if she gave me the name, it would be worth it. We could stop them from hurting anyone else and put the murderer behind bars.
She rose from her throne once again. “In that case, I’d like to make you another offer, Seer. Come work for me at the court and I shall speak the name you seek.”
Opening my mouth to make a counter proposal proved impossible since said mouth was no longer on my face. I stumbled again, unable to scream other than in my head, and a seat appeared behind me, which I promptly fell into. It looked and smelled like clover, and my hands and legs sank into the material, wrists and ankles bound tightly with vines so I could neither move nor speak.
“Let me finish before you decide,” she continued calmly.
Lady, if you think I’d work for you after this, you’re as loopy as a squirrel on crack.
She gestured, and several figures melted out of the crooked walls. Each was tall and whisper-thin with pointed ears and large black eyes. They were made of wood and completely nude as far as I could tell as they slunk toward me in a bizarre way that felt half animalistic, half dance. One crawled to my knees and put its twiggy hands on them then opened its mouth in a grin that revealed the same small, pointed teeth I’d seen on the queen. The icy sting of fear flowed down my spine as I struggled against the vines holding me but still couldn’t move.
“They won’t hurt you,” the queen assured. “If you agree to my terms.”
That’s a fucking threat. I glared at her over the thing’s head.
She stood and floated toward me as I writhed, trying to get free. Five minutes was a freaking eternity. What had I been thinking?
“Look at me, Seer.” She grasped my chin and forced my face to hers. The second I locked on her black orbs, I froze. All the panic drained away. Why was I fighting so hard when she was perfect?
“That’s better,” she cooed, releasing her hold. The vines retracted, freeing my limbs, but I stayed still, not wanting to leave her presence. “Now I’m going to release your mouth so you can say yes. Just one little word is all it takes, and you’ll be with me forever.”
My lips tingled as they reappeared and parted. One little word.
Wake up, Pythia screamed in my head, making me wince. The queen reached for my face, but I pinched my thigh, hard, and focused on the pain.
