AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ziriel was mad. That was fine. Eli had put me on the mission to find out what was twisting the Court of Gales toward evil, and after a few days, I’d found the source.
I’d killed more than a few Gales that day—although not nearly as many as Van did when he came to rescue me—but I caused a problem for him across all the courts. Everyone wanted to know what happened and why, but in the end, when Ziriel held an enchanted knife to my throat, Van had given Ziriel a vow of silence in return for me. I’d taken that same vow before Ziriel would let me go.
Van and I wouldn’t ever tell what was twisting this court, but that didn’t mean the rest of the fey weren’t asking Ziriel a million questions he didn’t want to answer. My time here was too violent to be covered up completely, which meant I’d put Ziriel in a very bad spot.
But as I stood there watching Ziriel closely, I knew that Van was right. Even if the entire Court of Gales was a darker shade of gray than I liked, the benefit of having a match here was huge. For their knowledge, their horde of bargains, and their ability to lie, it was worth it.
So, I’d face Ziriel now, and hope that we could make peace with the past. I kept my back straight and my chin raised as if I were balancing a crown on my head. I preferred not to wear one—the fey knew who I was on sight—but the posture conveyed power. I’d need that to make another deal with Ziriel.
“I’m coming to meet your son. I won’t raise a hand to one of your people, as long as you don’t attempt to hurt me or one of mine. The second you cross the line, the nice Cosette will be gone and the Cosette that slaughtered a large chunk of your court will be back. And this time, I have Van with me. You won’t get close enough to put a knife to my throat again. So, go ahead. Say what you need to say, and then let’s move on.”
Ziriel’s growl wasn’t like one of the Weres. It was much deeper, and filled with a magic that skittered along my skin.
He stepped close to me, so close that our noses nearly touched. The ring of red around his pupil grew brighter with the demon side of him rising.
He stood there, staring at me for a second, but I didn’t flinch. I wasn’t afraid. You had to have something to lose to be afraid. Just by being here, I’d already lost everything that mattered to me. I only had a locket as a memory of my few fleeting days of happiness—the ones I longed for that I’d never get back.
So, he could stare at me all he wanted with his demon cousin’s eyes, and I would feel nothing.
He finally stepped back a few inches. “You don’t speak of our secrets to anyone or put your nose in my court where it doesn’t belong. You will not question my people about our ways or make anyone here feel less than. And if you hurt someone—”
I swiped my hand through the air. That was way too open for interpretation. “I’ll not take the blame for soft feelings.”
“Fine.” Ziriel stepped closer again. “If you hurt someone physically, your life will be mine.”
I wanted space, but there was no way I was stepping away from him. I wouldn’t back down. “That’s a hefty price you’re asking for.”
“I’ll not have you causing trouble a second time. I’ll not lose another of my people to any Argent. Especially you.”
“Now that makes more sense. You’re angry not just at me, but at my kin, too.”
He tilted his head, just slightly. “I’ve not had good luck when your family comes to visit.”
That was understandable since I shared similar feelings. “Then let me put your mind at ease. I’m not here as my mother’s spy or on Eli’s behalf. I’m here to find a husband. I’ll meet with your son, and if things go well, share a meal or two before making my decision. If it’s not a match for either of us, then I’ll be on my way. As long as yours don’t hurt me or mine, I’ll not hurt you or yours. Fair enough?”
He nodded. “Fair.”
There was one more thing I had to add. “I should also mention that there was an assassination attempt today.”
Ziriel laughed and all the seriousness of the last few minutes melted away. “It’s a wonder no one’s killed you yet.” He tapped his fist on my shoulder, but not hard enough to hurt.
I grinned, not needing to say anything to that. He knew exactly who and what I was. “If assassins come, if someone attacks me, I will aim to kill no matter what court they call theirs. I will not make the first move, but I will make the last one. I will not be held accountable for loss of life when I didn’t start the fight.”
“Fair.” Ziriel crossed his arms as he considered, his gaze never leaving mine. “Someone attacks, you may do as you will.”
Good. That was a deal-breaker for me. “Terms are done?”
He nodded. “Yes. Come and be welcome.” He opened his arms wide, waving toward the doorway. The stone that was blocking the exit disappeared.
Three of Ziriel’s white-clad guards walked out first, behind them four of mine. Then Ziriel and me. Van and the last of my guards went next, with three more Gales guards behind them.
I walked next to Ziriel down the arced hallways in tense silence. Every bit of wall, floor, and ceiling were glossy smooth. It looked like glass with sand pressing against it, but it wasn’t glass. It was magic.
At any given point, if enemies found a way inside, Ziriel could collapse a section of his underhill without a thought, suffocating the enemy under countless tons of sand.
It was a much more brutal way to keep control of who was moving through the underhill than ours with the spelled floors, but maybe more effective in terms of protecting the court. But knowing that the whole place could collapse had always made me feel a little claustrophobic during my visits. And more so this time. The halls were noticeably empty aside from us, which meant he was prepared to do whatever he needed to defend his court.
I needed to focus on something else before I started feeling like the magic was failing.
