A Kiss of Shadow (Court of Starlight and Darkness #2)(37)

I drew in a steadying breath and looked at the maze. “How the hell are we going to find them in there?”

“I’ve got an idea.” Meria whistled, a melodic tune that I recognized from our time in the chess maze.

I looked up, spotting a trio of black birds swooping low. Meria whistled again, talking to them, and they swooped off to fly over the labyrinth.

We entered silently, following the path between the tall shrubs. When we reached a diversion in the path, Meria pointed to the right.

I nodded and headed that way. Meria and her birds took the lead. When we reached a large open area surrounding a fountain, I stopped.

The Irish fae stood next to it, staring into the water. There were three of them—two men and a woman. My gaze went to the king, who turned when he felt my scrutiny. His eyes flashed with cunning. A shiver ran through me.

I could see why people had warned me about them.

But we couldn’t just stand here gawking. It didn’t appear they were meeting anyone, so there was nothing to eavesdrop on. If they wanted to have a private conversation amongst themselves, they could do so in the privacy of their quarters.

I smiled and strolled toward them, trying to appear calm. In the stress of yesterday’s attack, I hadn’t had an opportunity to meet them.

The king’s gaze moved from me to Meria, and something flickered there.

I looked at her, but her gaze was fixed on a rose bush, something far less interesting than the people in front of us.

Yep, there was something going on there.

I turned back to the king. “My lord. I had hoped to make your acquaintance.”

The formal speech felt ridiculous, but I was trying to fit in. Eve and Meria would let me know if I sounded like an idiot.

“Queen Sia. I am pleased to meet you.” He gave a small bow, then gestured to the woman at his right. “This is Maeve, my second-in-command. And Dorian, my third.” He nodded to the man on his left.

They were both as beautiful as every other fae I’d seen. At this point, it would be interesting to see someone who didn’t look like they should be on the cover of Most Beautiful People in the World Ever. Full Stop.

But there was something strange about them as well. Just like the king, there was an eeriness to them that was unlike anything I’d ever seen. It was like they were power incarnate, volatile and intense. It sent a cold shiver over me.

I had no idea how to handle myself with people like this. They could crush me like a bug if they thought I was trying to pull one over on them.

So I decided to be blunt.

“Are you the ones who sent the mercenaries after me?” I asked.

There was no surprise on the king’s face when he said, “No.”

“Really? Because it seems like you might know something about it.”

“I’m not surprised that someone wants to stop you from ascending to the throne of the Court of Starlight and Darkness. King Lore is already one of the most powerful fae in the world. Besides me, of course. His court would only become more powerful with a queen like you. There are many who would prefer for that not to happen.”

“But you’re not one of them?”

He shook his head. “Once upon a time, we might have been. Had we tried to attack you, we would have been successful.”

The confidence in his tone sounded genuine. “So you’re saying I should believe you because I’m not dead yet?”

“Essentially.”

I frowned.

“Here.” He held out his hand. “My gift is one of the mind. I’ll allow you access, and you can see that I tell the truth.”

“But will you be able to see into my mind?”

“Only if you let me. If I try without your consent, you’d feel it.”

I looked toward Even and Meria, who nodded. They seemed to believe him, and I thought I could.

Warily, I touched his hand. Immediately, my head began to hurt. Darkness filled my vision, and I tried to break away.

Before I could, images appeared. It looked like I stood in a room with many corridors leading off of it. Pale grey light filled the space, illuminating the emptiness.

“Is this your mind?” I asked, my voice breathless.

“The part I am allowing you to see, yes.”

It felt so real. The king thought in images, not words. I’d heard of people who could do that. And he was thinking about his role in the attack. Nothing was coming up—the rooms remained empty. There was nothing but empty space.

It was the oddest sensation, but I believed him.

I drew back my hand and opened my eyes. “I believe you.”

“Good. You should. What I have allowed you to witness was a great honor.”

“I’m not sure I’d go that far.” As soon as I said it, I heard how rude it sounded.

Shit.

His brows rose. “Perhaps you are correct. But I don’t often allow people access to my mind.”

“It was interesting, to say the least. But you could have tricked me.”

“I assure you, I did not.”

“Hmm.” I frowned at him. I believed him. Mostly. “I suppose I’ll find out eventually.”

He nodded. “You’re very bold. Far more so than I expected.”

“Really? You thought King Lore would marry a wimp?”

“Such a human turn of phrase.” He shook his head. “No. I mean that you don’t use the cunning of a fae.”