A Kiss of Shadow (Court of Starlight and Darkness #2)(23)

“A man with pale gold hair and a dark cloak?” I frowned. That could be any number of fae. Pale hair was common among our kind, and I didn’t remember what people had been wearing last night. I never paid any attention to clothing, but apparently, I should.

“I’ll look for him,” Dain said.

“Thank you,” Sia said to Kira. “I really appreciate it.”

“I’m just glad you didn’t die from a glass of wine that came from my bar.”

Sia smiled wryly. “Me, too.”





9





Sia



* * *



After our talk with Kira, I spent the rest of the morning in the sitting room of our train car with Eve and Meria, watching the gorgeous scenery and discussing what would happen when we arrived at the palace. Eve and Meria told me everything they knew about court life, and though I was paying close attention, I still couldn’t help but keep an eye out for Lore.

He was nowhere to be seen, though—probably off hunting for the pale-haired man—but there were three guards on the other side of the sitting room.

“So, that’s some of what you need to know about court life,” Eve said. She’d just finished thirty minutes of monologue on the subject.

“I’ll never remember all that,” I said.

“I know, it’s a lot,” Meria said. “Backstabbing and alliances and just general bitchiness. But knowing it will help you navigate.”

“I think Sia can hold her own on the bitchiness front.” Eve winked.

I laughed. “I’m definitely going to have to toughen up if I want to make it through this, but yeah. I can hold my own there.”

The train slowed, and I looked out the window. Glorious green hills rolled beneath a blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. Yellow flowers waved in the wind, and a few lone oak trees sat atop the hills.

“This is beautiful,” I said.

“Ireland.” There was a wistfulness to Meria’s voice, but when I looked at her, she glanced away.

I socked the information away for later because she clearly didn’t want to answer any questions now.

A pretty station appeared on my side of the train. It was built of stone and thatch, with massive flower baskets hanging from the walls. A rainbow of blooms tumbled toward the ground, where a fluffy white sheep chewed on them.

“Wow.” I breathed the word.

“Yeah, the Irish always know how to do it right,” Meria said.

“Watch out for them, though.” Eve nodded toward the people on the platform. As usual, they were all beautiful. It was just the nature of being fae. But there was something a little…more…about these fae.

“What’s with them?” I asked. “They look different.”

“Their court is underground in another realm,” Eve said. “Underhill, they call it. They’re different from all the other fae in the world—like one gene off or something.”

“I’m not sure if that’s how it works,” Meria said.

“Duh, but I don’t know how else to describe it.” Eve shrugged. “Watch out for them. They consider themselves to be the original fae, first of the species. Makes them cocky. Also makes them want to be the most powerful.”

“So they could have a problem with me becoming queen.”

“If they think it makes the Court of Starlight and Darkness more powerful, then yes.”

“They’d be stupid if they didn’t realize that,” Meria said. “And they’re not stupid.”

“No, they’re definitely not.” That was more than evident as I watched them climb onto the train. There was an intelligence in their eyes that bordered on otherworldly—as if they could see more than I could. I catalogued them in my mind as a definite threat. “Tonight we’ll have to see if we can talk to them.”

Eve nodded, but Meria looked away again.

Yep, there was something there. It was her business until she chose to share it, though. I trusted her to have my back, and I had hers. It was all that really mattered.

An hour later, we went back to the dining car to see if there was anyone we could talk to. Unfortunately, it was empty.

“The others must be having lunch in their own cars,” Eve said.

“Damn.” I sat, my stomach rumbling. “Maybe they’ll come later. Let’s hang out.”

“And eat.” Meria grinned.

“Definitely eat.”

The kitchen delivered an assortment of specialty sandwiches and salads that made my mouth water just to look at them. I was halfway through a mozzarella and tomato sandwich when I realized there was a small piece of paper sticking out from beneath my plate.

My heart thundered as I pulled it free.

“What’s that?” Eve asked.

“Something important.” My hands trembled as I unfolded it. There was no way it was coincidence.

There were only a few words written on the paper.



* * *



Meet me at the last car. I can give you what you seek.



* * *



I blew out a breath. It had to be answers about my parents. This must be the violet-eyed woman’s way of contacting me with a private place to talk.