Reign of the Stone Queen Page 5

  Jasper’s jaw tightened, and I knew at that moment the only thing he wanted in the world was to make amends for his failure to kill Finvarra. The assassination mission had been a long shot, and we all knew it. But it was obvious to me that the outcome was eating at Jasper, and he couldn’t rest until he’d redeemed himself. That was the kind of man he was, and my heart ached as I realized it meant he and I might not see much of each other for a while.

  “Do we know why he hasn’t invoked the Stone’s power?” I asked.

  “We know he only gets three chances to use it. We believe he may be saving it for later, perhaps thinking that once the Summerlands has fallen and he’s taken the throne here, he’ll use it to force all of Faerie to be loyal to him,” Oberon said. His face turned darkly fierce. “Not that we have any intention of letting that happen.”

  “I just need to gather some supplies, and I can depart,” Jasper said.

  Oberon nodded. To me, he said, “Queen Vida and King Moreau are still here, but not for long. You should catch them to discuss the backup forces they promised you. I’ll leave you to your duties.”

  I wanted to sit down, take a breath, and convince myself that Jasper was indeed alive and out of danger. But there was no time. And at that moment, Jasper and I didn’t have the luxury of privacy for a lingering goodbye.

  He kissed me quickly. “Your people will accept you, Petra. But it may take time. In the meantime, watch your back.”

  I clutched at his shirtsleeve, balling the fabric in my fist. “If you get hurt, I’ll kill you,” I said.

  He quirked a small half-grin at me, and then I let go and he turned and strode away. I didn’t watch him go. I couldn’t stand to see him disappear around a corner.

  Drawing a deep breath, I faced Melusine. I knew I needed to catch Vida and Moreau, but I had one problem that outweighed any need for brute force at my back.

  “I can’t beat Eldon,” I said. “As long as Periclase has him there, I have no chance of ousting the Duergar from the fortress. I have no chance of anything at all if I go back in there. Eldon controlled me completely with his magic, so skillfully that no one could likely even tell that my actions weren’t my own. He moved my body, forced me to say words I never would have said. His magic was so perfect and so powerful I couldn’t imagine anything that might work against it. Until I saw you battling him. But I’m honestly not certain your power is enough against him, even if you weren’t holding the wards here.” I ended with a slight lift, implying a question.

  And then I paused for effect. I was purposely trying to tap into her apparent need to compete with and better Eldon, sensing that might motivate her more than the idea of helping me. I frankly didn’t care what it took.

  Her dark brows furrowed over her orange eyes, and for a second I thought she was going to be angry, finding insult in what I’d said. But when there was no outburst, I realized she might have taken my bait.

  “I know you can’t leave the Summerlands for long,” I ventured. “I know that you need to use your energy to maintain the shields around this castle, but is there anything at all you can do to give me an edge against the Fae sorcerer’s enormous power?”

  I wasn’t above begging. I would have granted any request that was within my power to grant. A blood oath. Whatever she wanted. Just about any price would be worth it.

  Her face turned thoughtful. “You go and meet with your little king and queen friends. After, come to me.”

  My lips parted. I wanted to ask for details but then thought better of it. I nodded and then turned and scurried away before I could accidentally do or say anything that might piss her off and make her change her mind.

  Once I rounded a corner, I pumped my fist and let out a quiet, victorious, “Yes!”

  “Your Majesty!” called a male voice behind me.

  I turned to find two people running after me. One was a castle page trying to flag me down, a young man wearing the Summerlands livery. The other was the naked woman who’d come through the portal jewel’s doorway. She wasn’t naked, but the poor woman still had only the sheet to cover herself.

  I bit back a groan. I’d completely forgotten about Eunice and frankly didn’t have time to deal with her.

  “Your Majesty,” the page said, breathless from hauling ass down the hallway. “Let me take you to your quarters. You can quickly freshen up before your meeting with Queen Vida and King Moreau.”

  He looked pointedly at my clothes. A glance down showed a ripped sleeve, a neat slice in my shirt, mud and grass caked onto the shoulder I’d dislocated, and dirt-stained knees on my pants. I didn’t even have to lift a hand to my hair to know it was a wind-whipped mess.

  “Are you positive they they’re able to wait while I change?” I asked.

  I was all for being presentable, but not if it cost me an important meeting.

  He nodded vigorously. “Yes, Your Majesty. They aren’t due to depart for another hour, and they both want to speak to you.”

  He stepped in front of Eunice, who’d been standing nearby listening to our exchange. She’d let out a little gasp when he’d addressed me as a ruler.

  “Wait,” I said. “I need to speak to this woman. I’ll be quick.”

  She tried to perform a clumsy curtsy, the sheet wrapped around her body and slung around one shoulder like a toga.

  “I didn’t know you were royalty, Your Highness,” she said, her eyes fearful. She curtsied again. “My deepest apologies, Your Highness.”

  I held up a hand, irritated that no one had come to take care of her. “It’s okay. We’ll get you some clothes and food, and then you can go home. Where are you from?”

  Even in disarray, she was quite lovely, with golden skin, a slim waist, an ample bust, and a sculpted face. But I couldn’t guess her bloodlines in her features, as there was nothing terribly distinct in them, despite her beauty.

  She began to shake her head. “No, Your Majesty,” she whispered. “Please, I beg you, don’t send me away. The Unseelie High King will kill me. He’ll find me and kill me.”

  I’d forgotten her pleas back in the fortress. I didn’t think she was trying to take advantage of me. Real fear filled her wide, violet eyes.

  The page shifted his weight impatiently, but I suddenly realized that not only might this woman genuinely need protection, but she also might be able to help us, if she’d been close to Finvarra for any length of time.

  “Why do you believe he’ll kill you?” I asked. “You did nothing wrong.”

  “Because there was another woman who was . . . with him when there was an attempt on his life. I know for a fact she had nothing to do with it.” Teary sadness replaced the fear in her eyes. “But he had her executed.”

  “Okay,” I said crisply. “I won’t send you away. Come with me, and while I change you will tell me what you know about the Unseelie High King.”

  She wilted in relief and then curtsied again. “Whatever you wish, Your Majesty. I’m forever in your debt.”

  My page led the way, walking with quick, irritated swiftness, and took us to my quarters. There, he left us to fetch clothes for Eunice. I left the door to my dressing room partway open so I could talk to the woman.

  “Now,” I said as I began peeling off my clothes. “I want to know everything you know about Finvarra, Eldon, Periclase, and anyone else who’s an enemy of the Seelie.”

  “Oh my,” she said in a fretful tone. “I’m not sure I have much to offer.”

  “That’s okay,” I said, trying to be patient. “Just tell me whatever comes to mind.”

  I heard her take a deep breath. “Well, for one thing I don’t think the Fae sorcerer Eldon is truly on the side of the Unseelie. I don’t think he wants to be helping the Unseelie High King and his buddies at all.”

  I blinked and froze with one leg in a fresh pair of pants.

  “Why do you think that?” I asked carefully.

  “Well, because he said so.”

  I stuck my other leg into my pants, pulled th
em up, and leaned around the corner. I crooked my index finger at her. “Why don’t you come in here and tell me more?”

  Chapter 5

  EUNICE’S BROWS ARCHED, and she sat there for a second, seemingly uncertain about my invitation.

  “Your Majesty?” she asked.

  “Yes, come on in and have a seat on the ottoman,” I said.

  She gathered her sheet around her and did as I instructed, perching on the edge of a huge round, upholstered monstrosity that sat in the center of the dressing room.

  She opened her mouth to speak, but I heard the door chime followed by the sound of the latch releasing.

  “Yoo-hoo, Your Majesty!” hollered Claudine, my loud and possibly hard-of-hearing attendant. “It’s just me, come with clothes for your, ah, guest.”

  I went out and met her, taking the stack of garments.

  She curtsied. “So very happy to be in Your Majesty’s service!” She leaned to one side to look around me, obviously trying to get a look at Eunice. I shifted to block her view. “And is there anything else I can do for you or your girl on this fine—”

  “No, this is all we need,” I interrupted. “Your services are much appreciated.”

  She cocked her head at my abruptness, but to my relief, she turned to go. I locked the door after her, went back into the dressing room, and handed Eunice the stack of clothes. I turned around to give her some privacy.

  “Continue, please,” I said. “How do you know Eldon is not truly with Finvarra?”

  There was the sound of rustling fabric. “Once when I was leaving King Finvarra’s quarters late at night, I decided to take a shortcut back to my own room.”

  “Where was this?” I cut in.

  “Oh, well, the Undine realm, Your Majesty,” she said. “King Finvarra lived there for a spell.”

  I had, in fact, first met Finvarra in the Undine kingdom. Jasper and I had gone there to confront the banished Unseelie High King, and that was when we’d learned of his alliance with the Tuatha De Danann. That was many weeks ago.

  “So you’ve been with Finvarra for some time, then,” I said.

  “Yes, oh yes,” she said. “Nearly half a year now.”

  My brows shot up. “Please continue with your story.”

  “Yes. So. I was taking a shortcut. There was a dark courtyard. I didn’t know Eldon and his friend were there until I was halfway across, as the Fae sorcerer used his gloaming magic to conceal them.”

  “But you could hear them?”

  “I have very exceptional hearing on occasion, Your Majesty,” she said.

  I scoured my knowledge of Fae races for one that had such an attribute but came up empty.

  “What race are you?” I asked. It wasn’t a rude question in Faerie. Bloodlines were important and often a point of pride to Fae.

  She made a short humming noise and then cleared her throat. “My mother was a halfling. Half human and Daoine Sidhe. My father was also a halfling, his Fae blood a mix of which I do not know.”

  I didn’t comment, not wanting to embarrass her, but it was exceedingly rare for two halflings to have offspring. Halflings were nearly always infertile.

  “When I heard voices, I froze,” she continued. “I recognized Eldon, but not the other one. I was sure I’d be caught any second, but I was also too terrified to move. I shouldn’t have stayed there, but I did, and they kept talking.”

  Eldon should have sensed an eavesdropper. Or more likely, he would have woven magic that prevented anyone from hearing his private conversation. Yet somehow, Eunice had heard it. Perhaps it was a magical talent of hers. Those with little Fae blood usually had weak magic, or no magic at all from the Fae races of their parents, but sometimes they had unusual talents.

  There was an insistent knock at my door.

  “Your Majesty,” called the voice of my male page. “I must escort you to an audience with Queen Vida and King Moreau.”

  I cursed under my breath. My conversation with Eunice would have to wait.

  I turned to find she’d dressed in the simple brown gown and matching ballet flats that had been brought for her.

  “Come with me,” I said, and went to get the door.

  She followed me.

  “This is Eunice,” I said to the page. “She needs a room and a meal. Can I trust you to take care of it?”

  He bowed. “Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll escort you to your meeting room and then take care of your guest.” He turned to Eunice. “Please accompany us.”

  On the way to Vida and Moreau, I wanted badly to ask Eunice to finish her story, but not knowing everything she might reveal, I didn’t want to take the chance of someone overhearing.

  “I ask that you keep all of your information to yourself until we speak again,” I said quietly to her.

  “Oh, my, absolutely, Your Majesty,” she said. She took a breath as if to say more, but hesitated.

  “Is there something you need?”

  She pressed her lips together, and then her gaze met mine. “I do not want to seem impertinent, but I must admit I don’t recognize you among the Queens I know of. May I ask . . . what realm do you rule?”

  I chuckled. “You may. And you don’t recognize me because I only very recently acquired the throne of a brand new kingdom. I’m the Queen of the Carraig Sidhe, formerly known as New Gargoyles.”

  Surprise flashed abruptly across her features as if she’d been hit with a splash of water. “Oh. Oh!” She glanced at the sword I carried on my back, and a new realization dawned. “You’re Petra Maguire, Champion of the Summer Court.”

  I nodded. “I am that as well.”

  We’d reached my destination, my page waiting with his hand on the knob of a simple white-painted door.

  “Eunice,” I said. “I need you to keep to yourself everything you’re observing here. No gossip and no outgoing messages. Can I trust you?”

  She clasped her hands in front of her. “I owe you my life,” she said, her violet eyes misting. “I will serve you loyally for the rest of my days to repay you, Queen Petra.”

  My brows rose slightly at her outpouring of sincerity. I awkwardly patted her shoulder. “I’m not sure that’s necessary, but I do appreciate your discretion.”

  The page cleared his throat impatiently. I stepped past Eunice, and he opened the door for me. Inside, I found a small but luxuriously appointed sitting room with pretty white divans supported by carved wooden legs, a tall stained-glass pane with a comfortable-looking window seat under it, shelves filled with volumes of hard cover books, and a dark fireplace. Moreau and Vida both stood at the coffee and tea cart, helping themselves to steaming cups of liquid. There were also baskets of light fare—pastries and fruit.

  My stomach growled noisily as I approached, and Vida and Moreau stopped their quiet conversation and turned my way. I pressed my palm into my midsection, trying to quiet the rumbling.

  Vida, Queen of the Sylphs, wore one of her signature velvet gowns—a deep red-wine color, this time—with matching lipstick. Everything about her was curvy, from her long curling eyelashes to the roundness of her shoulders, to the hourglass shape of her torso. Like most of her kind, she gave off an undeniable sultriness. But she was also whip-smart and one of the most highly educated women in Faerie.

  King Moreau was all wolfish sex appeal, with his ruggedly handsome face, dark stubble around his angular jaw line, broad shoulders, and quick, gleaming smile. As ruler of the Dobhar Sidhe, the canine shifter kingdom, he and his wife were the alphas of their people who organized themselves according to the rules of the pack. Moreau and Idara had ruled for a decade and a half, besting every challenger the pack had thrown at them. Moreau was quick to grin and had a lively energy about him, but he was vicious when challenged. No one held the Dobhar alpha spot for that long without being a serious badass, and I’d heard his wife was every bit as tough as he was.

  Vida and Moreau were the only two rulers who’d offered to aid me in my quest to oust Periclase, Eldon, and Finvarra from
the stone fortress. I wasn’t offended that the others had declined. Every Seelie kingdom had committed some or most of their military to the fight here at the Summerlands. That meant their own realms were largely unprotected. The bottom line was, no one really had soldiers to spare these days.

  “Queen Petra.” Moreau greeted me with a magnanimous sweep of his hand. “It’s excellent to see you again.” His expression sobered, his dark brows pulling down over his eyes. “Though I heard Finvarra escaped.”

  I shook my head. “We were so close, but Finvarra shifted and got away under the cover of Eldon’s gloaming magic.”

  Vida hummed her disappointment low in her throat. “Pity. It would have been quite a victory to knock off that Unseelie bastard. But we all knew it was a shot in the dark.”

  “Still,” I said. “It weighs heavily on Jasper. On all of us.”

  Moreau pursed his lips, inhaling slowly through his nose. “Well, in any case, we must move on.”

  “Yes,” I said, going to pour myself a cup of coffee. I set the porcelain cup on its saucer and dosed the dark liquid with two generous spoonfuls of sugar and a splash of cream. My mouth nearly watered as I brought the rim to my lips for a sip. “I want you both to know how deeply I appreciate your generous offers. I won’t forget your generosity.”

  Moreau and Vida exchanged a look. It was just a brief flick of eyes, but my stomach tightened.

  The Sylph queen set her cup on its saucer. “You understand as well as we do these are very uncertain times. Not only are we fighting to maintain Seelie rule of Faerie, there is the Tuatha’s threat.”

  “Uncertain times, indeed,” I said, eyeing her warily.

  “As such,” she said, “we all want to do everything we can to protect the future of our realms.”

  I nodded. Something was coming. If I were speaking to anyone but a king and queen, I would have demanded they come out with whatever it was they wanted. But days of such casual conversation were behind me.

  “Moreau and I would ask something in return for our support in your efforts to reclaim your stronghold,” Vida continued.