of my sky-blue shirt and pulled the cuffs down, eyeing my reflection critically in the tall, gold-framed art deco mirror that hung outside the doorway to the throne room—the center of the conservatory where Lord Odell held court over his people as if he really were a king. Blue was his favorite color, and I had long ago learned to do whatever I could to make the king happy. He would want a report, and I knew better than to show up in front of the man in anything less than perfect condition. My unruly hair was as smooth as I could make it, and my “unseemly beast form” was hidden under a glamor. I narrowed my eyes at my human-looking reflection, nudging my magic about until only my horns showed, just to be contrary.
Then I took a deep breath, fixed my posture, and headed into the heart of the conservatory.
Flowers and vines, potted trees and shrubs filled every inch of the borders of the room, and hung trailing from the glass ceiling. The air was a bit warm for my tastes, but filled with the comforting scents of growing things and fae magic. A nest of fairies hummed about the ceiling space, darting from flower to flower and gathering the condensation that hung on the glass panels. A big, beautiful blue butterfly flittered across the space, only to be violently snatched out of the air and eaten by one of the fairies.
I forced my attention away from the beautiful killers in the rafters and trained my eyes on the ones before me instead. Odell and his closest court members lounged about on plush cushions scattered on a dais in the center of the room, talking and drinking wine while they nibbled on fresh fruit and sticky sweets. The rest of the court had already been dismissed, and I knew that although Odell and his minions looked like they were just lazing about, they were really holding council—discussing all the ways to grow and maintain their power in the city and strengthen their place in the syndicate, all while sucking up to the emperor.
I approached, then bowed, waiting for Odell’s permission to rise.
“Faun,” the fae king finally said, his cold, beautiful voice putting me on full alert, as always. I wasn’t afraid of Odell, but I had certainly learned to respect his need for control. I bowed my head in deference.
“So?” The fae leader said, his tone of voice slow and easy, a lie that hid his impatience for information that could be used as tender to gain more power. His voice pressed into my head so no one else could overhear our conversation. I let his magic take over, allowing us to converse through thought. “What did you learn? Does the little twit know anything of use?”
I pushed my own thoughts to the surface, choosing my words carefully. “I did not learn much of importance today, sir. She is wary and mistrustful of strangers. But I’ve befriended her. I’m confident she will tell me her secrets in time.”
He smiled the small, sly smile that meant he was pleased, even if I could feel his impatience. “I knew I was wise to keep you around, Cicely. And her magic? Have you figured out whether she will be useful?” I knew he was trying to decide how to best use the woman. Would she prove to be valuable to the clan? Or was he better off bartering her away?
I shrugged. “I suspect she has at least some minor healing magic, as you supposed. But again, she is fearful. It will take me some time to learn all her secrets.” I gave him a rueful look. “She is also quite touch adverse. So my usual methods may take longer than we would like.”
He frowned, then spoke aloud for the benefit of his court. “I see. We certainly have time to learn all we can. It’s possible the woman is just a simple witch. But I wouldn’t want to underestimate the unaligned shifter and find out later that we had thrown away a treasure of some sort.” He shrugged one shoulder in a lazy, careless gesture. “Besides, our friends have yet to accept our invitation for a visit. Continue your task, faun. Just don’t take too long. The stars only know what’s wrong with the woman to have her moaning and carrying on like she was the day we obtained her. I wouldn’t want you to injure yourself while in her mind.”
I met his sharp, crystal blue eyes and nodded. My value wasn’t in question. It wouldn’t do to break your favorite tool. At least, not any more than necessary. I swallowed, the muscles of my ruined throat convulsing with the desire to speak.
Odell waved a graceful hand at me, dismissing me from his sight. “Come back when you have actual information for me. And Cicely?”
My shoulders tensed, but I kept my expression calm, quirking a brow at him in silent question.
“Fix your glamour before setting foot in my conservatory. It sickens me to converse with an animal.”
I let out a slow breath, sending a wave of magic to my glamour, hiding my short horns from sight. I couldn’t help a bit of defiance from time to time, but it really was better to pick my battles.
The last time I’d dared to speak up, I’d lost the ability to speak at all.
I bowed again, then turned and hurried from the room, the eyes of the fae court spearing me like daggers.
Ruya witch, I thought tiredly. You are in so much trouble. And she would never even know until it was too late.