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My mother stood from her throne—slowly, like a viper about to attack—and I knew that Van was right. I was on dangerous ground. If I couldn’t get her to understand why I was asking this, my queen would never forgive me. Because from the way she held herself—coldness in her gaze—the power filling my head, it was my queen, not my mother, that stepped down the three steps from her throne, coming for me.
“Please, Mother. I need your help.” I used “mother” because it would remind everyone in this room—including her—that I was the queen’s daughter.
I was taking risks, ones I couldn’t afford. I knew it, but I didn’t care. I’d already cashed in more favors than I wanted in order to find out anything about where Chris was right now. I would’ve given up if I’d heard one whisper that he was unharmed, but I hadn’t. Just silence.
“All right, Cosette. If you’ve a private matter, as your mother, I will give you council.”
I let out a long slow breath. “I won’t take much of your time.”
I followed her to the hidden door behind her throne. Van started forward, but I shook my head. I didn’t want him around for this. He was my personal guard, but he didn’t need to hear me beg.
The walls of my mother’s office brightened as we stepped inside. Gold and white marble filled the room. We walked across a rich deep blue carpet, flecked with gold and silver—like the early night sky—covering the floor. An ornate gold-framed mirror hung behind her desk—one she took calls on, for those who knew how to reach it and dared to try. A sitting area was off to one side, with a large black velvet couch. It was piled with pillows in rich purples, teals, and magentas. A galaxy of pillows fit for the queen of a celestial court.
My mother strode to her desk, leaned back against it, and waited for me to talk.
“Are we truly unheard?”
My mother gave me a soft smile, as if proud of me even though I ceased being a child long ago. She lifted her hand in the air. “Ears may not hear. Eyes may not see.” The magic took root and she tilted her head. “Satisfied?”
“I’ve never asked you to reach my father before, and trust me—I’m not taking this request lightly. But I must talk to him, and you have to help me get—”
“I don’t have to do any such thin
g.” The soft smile disappeared along with any sign of approval. She straightened from the desk, and there was anger on her face like I hadn’t seen since she first saw the video that destroyed our whole way of life.
I usually would’ve backed down—I didn’t like to piss off my mother—but not today. “It’s been weeks and—”
“Do you trust Eli?”
“I did once, before he’d left me—alone—in the Court of Gales, surrounded by enemies, badly injured, bleeding, barely hanging on with no way to get home. But I think it’s safe to say that no, I don’t trust him. Not anymore. Do you blame me?”
My mother’s anger cracked a little, and she gave me a sly grin. “Eli’s not all bad, and—”
“He has his own view of the world and we’re all expendable to him.” I crossed my arms, daring my mother to say otherwise.
“Now that’s not fair.” She went back to leaning against the desk. The soft smile was back and I relaxed just a little bit. I was winning her back, one piece at a time.
“Eli favors you because of your father. I don’t think he’d call you expendable at all.”
I wasn’t sure that was true, but I’d give her the benefit of the doubt. “Maybe so, but Christopher?”
My mother’s nod had a finality that terrified me. “Expendable.”
“You agree with me, but won’t help? Christopher matters to me. He’s my friend.”
“That feels perilously close to a lie. Don’t test me, daughter. Telling a lie is treason. It’s the only law that keeps our court from being a total political cesspool, and the law would lose its meaning if I didn’t universally enforce it.” Her voice grew colder with every word. “Don’t force my hand on something so trivial, Cosette.”
I’d seen her kill before, but executing me would break something in her. And a broken queen was dangerous. But at least I wouldn’t be alive to watch the burning and blood and death that she would wreak on the court after her heart blackened.
“No. I won’t lie to you. Not ever.” So, I didn’t dare say anything about my feelings for Chris. “I’ve done everything you required for nearly two centuries. I have been and will continue to be your spy. I will go wherever you send me. I know the last few months have not gone according to plan, but—”
My mother straightened again and I knew I was losing her. “According to plan?” Her tone was a sharp, honed tool. One she used to get her way. “Try again, daughter of mine.” There was no humor left in her, and I knew I had to tread lightly.
“Fine.” I clenched my fists. Mother was in a mood today. “They’ve been a disaster for the fey, but I’m not alone in the blame.” I couldn’t be held solely responsible for everything. She knew that.
“No one is saying that you are.” Her softer tone allowed me to take a breath, but then she stepped toward me. “However, the situation has changed. I know you’ve made this new pact with the other supernaturals, and I’ll allow you out as you are needed for that and that alone, but not for this. Not for some werewolf. You need to start acting the part while you’re here. No more blowing off suitors. No more dodging dinners. You show up and you play the part or you will die.”
I met her gaze. “And which part am I supposed to play now?”
