Chapter Thirty-Six

Salome

I glanced up as Nevin came into our room, his dark hair disheveled, his blue eyes tired.

“There you are, I’ve been looking for you.” I smiled. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just another long meeting with the Council. Ballock is trying to cause doubt in our ruling Summer. He’s trying to convince the Council that we got rid of Rowena in order to gain more control. I’m about two seconds from strangling him.”

“And what of Etienne?”

“I’ve got him hidden away. No one from the Council was in the throne room when they arrived. Most of the newer, younger soldiers didn’t recognize him. For now I’d like to keep him a secret from Ballock and some of the others. Gareth should be bringing him over shortly.”

I slid from the settee and went to him. He looked so vulnerable and tired. Without really thinking, I wrapped my arms around him for a hug, and he gave me a startled glance.

“Things will get better,” I said.

Hesitant, he returned my embrace, resting his chin on my head and letting out a sigh. “I hope your night has been better than mine.”

“Well, I’m still alive, so that’s something.” I smiled.

“Yes, but here I bring you to Summer and you’ve nearly met your demise twice now.” His shoulders sagged, and a twinge of guilt shot through me as he walked to the French doors that led onto the balcony. He went outside and leaned against the railing. I followed after him.

With a nervous breath, I moved to stand beside him. Shit, what was I gonna do? This wasn’t Nevin’s fault, and I didn’t want him blaming himself for something he couldn’t have prevented. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to upset you,” I said.

“I know.” He spun to face me, moonlight glinting off of him. “And I hope you understand that I’m trying to protect you. Everything hangs in the balance, and you don’t realize just how deceptive Grisselle can be. To have her send someone into our kingdom and our home to kill you is showing just how desperate and cunning she is. She’ll stop at nothing to kill us and our people.”

His gaze met mine, and in it I saw just how serious he was.

“Pardon me, Your Highness,” came Gareth’s voice. He was standing in the doorway. “The scouts came back from the border. You told me to get you when they arrived.” He glanced at me. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” I shrugged. “We’re just talking about Grisselle and Etienne and Kadie.”

“Gareth, could you send for Gwenn and Etienne now? We can talk with him more now that the Council is in their rooms for the evening.”

He nodded then left us alone once more.

Etienne sat across from me at the table in Gareth’s room, his eyes focused outside the glass doors leading to the balcony on the sun setting over the horizon. We were waiting for Nevin to return. He had to tell a few guards that we weren’t to be bothered unless there was an emergency.

At last, he waltzed into the room and we all stood.

“Etienne of Spring—I still can’t believe you’re alive after all this time. This does my heart good to see you, my old friend. Sorry we didn’t have time earlier for a proper greeting, but as you know, my queen’s safety was at hand.”

“Nevin.” Etienne held out his arm to him.

They clutched one another’s wrists and bowed. “I know you mean to leave Faerie for a while, but first, I think we need to talk.”

Etienne closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then nodded. “Very well, but you must understand that I need to leave here as soon as possible. It is only a matter of time before Grisselle realizes she’s been deceived. As far as she knew, I came with Kadie to help complete her mission. But now that she knows Kadie failed, we’ll have to move quickly. If you didn’t know already, she has the ability to shut down the portals.”

Nevin glanced at Gareth. Whatever happy history was between Nevin and Etienne, it seemed clear Nevin wasn’t going to just throw caution to the wind without good reason. “And what would you have us do to forestall Grisselle’s plans?”

“I need to get to the human world. I told those of my court who I could reach out to that they needed to make their escape from Winter. Rena was sending a few people out each day—some through a hidden tunnel, others faking their deaths and being tossed out with the dead bodies so they could leave under the cover of darkness. I need to make sure they get as far away from Winter as possible.”

“We would like to help you and your people,” Nevin said. “And I promise, if you tell us everything you know, we’ll let you leave here via a Summer portal.”

“I’ll do whatever you ask.”

My gaze shifted between Nevin and Etienne to an ancient looking map, which sat on the table. Strange wooden pegs held it in place.

Nevin took a seat and gestured for the others to do the same. “Let’s get down to business.”

Dark circles painted the underside of Etienne’s eyes as he slumped down next to him. The rest of us followed suit.

“So, tell me about Winter,” Nevin said.

It was going to be a long night. I hoped Etienne was able to provide us with the information we needed. And I hoped someday, we might find a way to get the old Kadie back. But the more I heard about the horrors of Winter, I began to doubt that it’d even be possible.

“So you’re sure that these are the only weak points of the Winter Castle?” Nevin asked for like the billionth time as Etienne went over the layout of the palace.

“Yes. When Kadie tried to escape, she found that the drains in the Bone Yard led out to a creek outside the castle. The queen had the grates secured, but since you have power, you’d easily be able to unlock it. You could move some soldiers in unnoticed after dark.”

“And what about her numbers?”

“I’ve already told you everything I remember,” he said, eyes burning with fatigue. “I know you’re just trying to make sure you have everything you need, and I’m not trying to be rude, but time is running out.”

I shivered, thinking of the blood and bones and ice. That place would forever be forged into my nightmares. No way did I want anyone else to have to experience it. “Nevin, if what he’s saying is true, we’re already running out of time.” I spoke up from the other side of the table, situated between Gareth and Nevin. “It’s already late, and if he’s going to leave, he needs to do it soon. Before Ballock or any of the others catch wind of Etienne being here. The sun will be up in a couple of hours.”

“The council will ask where we got our information,” Nevin said.

“Tell them I brought it back from my scouting party,” Gareth said. “I think the element of surprise will be our best weapon. And with some of the council on the outs, I don’t trust all of them. Besides, it’ll be better if Grisselle believes that Etienne went into the human world and never had any contact with us. She’ll never know how much information we have about her armies and the castle layout. For once, she might not see us coming.”

“If we let you leave now, would you consider coming back and joining our forces?” Nevin said. “We could use all the royal Fae magic we can get.”

“And I can tell you that some of your soldiers from Spring still live,” Gareth said. “They hide in the woods and keep Winter from settling in. I can send word to them and let them know you’re alive and to meet you in the human world.”

I glanced at Gareth. “Are we sure we can trust him?”

His thoughts to me betrayed a concern he didn’t let show in his expression. “He did warn us of Kadie’s intentions.”

“Well, yeah, but what if that was part of the plan?”

“These are fast becoming desperate times. We need an ally.”

Etienne gathered up the map. “Once I get my people settled in, and what’s left of my court meets up with me, I’ll do what I can. If Winter’s going to be defeated, we’ll need to stand together. I’ll finally be able to do what I should’ve done a long time ago.”

Nevin stood at last. “Then you’re free to go. I’ll send word to you when we’re ready to make our move.”

“Thank you.” Etienne bowed and took Nevin’s arm in his in a handshake of sorts.

“Gwenn, will you see Etienne out through the private gardens?” Nevin said.

“As you wish,” she said.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to accompany them,” I said. “Just to say goodbye.”

“So long as you stick close to Gwenn. Gareth, why don’t you stand watch at the gate into the gardens? Make sure no one sees Etienne leaving.”

“Of course.”

We followed Gwenn through the still darkened hallways. She led us down a private stairwell and over a stone walkway. I sighed as the warm air snaked over my skin. It was nice not to feel the cold bite of winter any longer. The scent of honey spiraled in the air, and I inhaled deeply.

Once we got to the garden, Etienne turned to me. “Before I go, I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry about your friend.” His brow furrowed, sadness swimming in his eyes. “I tried to protect her from the queen’s wrath and even attempted to help her escape, but I failed her. And for that I ask for your forgiveness. The girl who is imprisoned now isn’t the same girl I met in the club.”

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. “Thank you for at least trying. I can’t imagine what either of you went through imprisoned there.”

“I know you don’t fully trust me yet. But I promise to show you that you haven’t made a mistake supporting me.” Etienne slid a ring from his finger. “This is all I have, but I want to give it to you as a peace offering and to show my gratitude.”

He dropped the golden piece of jewelry in my hand. As soon as it hit my palm it glowed then absorbed right into my palm. Warmth coursed beneath my skin. It itched and tingled, sending trails of electricity through my body. I gasped as I watched a new tattoo form. Green ivy looped over the back of my hand and over my wrist, while a golden rose appeared on my palm.

Etienne’s eyes widened. “Who are you really?”

“You already know. I-I’m Salome. Queen of Summer.”

“I think you’re more than that. And should a time come that you need me, I’m at your service.”

“Thank you.” I glanced back at the palace. “Listen, there’s a portal at the top of the path above the waterfall. I’m sure you’ll know how to activate it?” I watched Etienne.

“Yes. I’ll keep to the shadows. Be safe, my queen. May you be blessed.”