A Kiss of Shadow (Court of Starlight and Darkness #2)(47)

Their presence was an immense comfort.

“Are you okay?” Meria asked.

“Yeah.”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Eve said.

“I’ll tell you about it later.”

The group had swelled to over two dozen. Everyone had arrived, it looked like. They spread out around the wreckage, inspecting it with varying expressions of worry, anger, and dismay.

I had no idea what expression I wore, but I hoped it was the right one. The last thing I needed was to be noticeably painted with guilt over something I wasn’t sure I had anything to do with.

There was no clear leader amongst the group, and I suddenly realized the valuable role my parents must have played. The powerful kings and queens of the Fae Courts wouldn’t kneel before another but having neutral mediators would have made the High Court run more smoothly.

Lore stepped forward. “We can search the rubble today, but I found nothing last night. And my search was extensive.”

Fionn, the King of the Irish Fae, stepped forward. “Then what do you propose?”

“I have called upon a Time Spinner. They won’t be able to arrive for two days, but when they get here, they can turn back the clock and see what truly happened.”

Lore suspected the witch with the deathly magic, so did that mean that the Time Spinner would see her? Or me?

“That could be too late,” said the Queen of the Mountain Fae. “What if there is another attack?”

“Do we even know if it was an attack?” I asked. “Could it have been an accident?”

“Highly unlikely,” she said. “The contents of this greenhouse were so valuable that it was likely planned.”

“I am open to other ideas,” Lore said. “But when my Time Spinner arrives, we’ll have our answers.”

“My father has asked a seer to come,” said Gabriel, Prince of the French Fae. “She may be able to provide answers.”

I looked to Vusario. Might he know what had happened? His gaze was blank as he looked out over the wreckage.

Apparently not.

“And I’ve invited my best trackers,” said one of the Autumn Fae. I recognized her from the dinner last night but didn’t know her name.

“Good,” Lore said. “In the meantime, there is a wedding to prepare for.”

“You’re sure you don’t want to put it off?” asked the Irish king.

“No.” Lore’s voice was sharp. “We do it tonight.”

There was a wave of faint murmurs, but it was impossible to tell if people were annoyed, neutral, or dismayed.

Meria squeezed my hand. “Come on. Let’s get you ready for the big event.”

“Sure.” I let her guide me away.

Eve stayed close by her side, and we walked in silence back to the room I shared with Lore. He didn’t follow us, and I was grateful for it.

As soon as we were inside, Meria and Eve turned to me.

“What has you looking like you swallowed a live fish?” Meria said.

“I don’t know what happened last night.” I clenched my jaw, but I was unable to keep the words from spilling forth. I could keep my secret from Lore, but I couldn’t keep it from my friends. “After the meeting with the historian, I woke up in this room covered in soot and dirt.”

They both frowned.

“What do you mean?” Eve asked. “We walked you back to your room.”

"I know. But I feel like I lost some time. Like I wasn’t fully conscious, then I woke up filthy.”

“Shit.” Meria collapsed in a chair but the hearth. “You think you did it.”

“Maybe? I have no idea.”

Eve scrubbed her hands over her face. “That doesn’t sound good.”

Meria rubbed my shoulder. “It was probably the witch with the deathly magic, and you got caught at the edge of the blast. Then you staggered back here and passed out.”

I liked that explanation. “Yeah, that could be it. But how did I get out there? And why do I feel like it was my fault?”

“I don’t know.” Meria grimaced. “This isn’t looking good.”

“Did you tell Lore?” Meria asked.

“No!”

“Good.” She nodded. “We keep this to ourselves while we try to get to the bottom of it.”

“But, how?”

“I have no idea.” Meria shook her head. “But we’ll figure something out.”

“In the meantime, we need to pretend like everything is normal. We can’t let anyone suspect you.” Eve clapped her hands together in a businesslike manner. “So you’ll get married, become the queen, and we’ll work together to kill the witch. Then we’ll all live happily ever after.” She grinned. “I like that plan. Now let’s get you ready. The wedding is at dusk and we’re running out of time.”

“Fine. I need the distraction anyway.” I looked toward the window, where the clouds were ever darker.

Memories of them surrounding me flashed in my mind. Had the witch with the deathly magic really been there? Or called me out there?

“Do you know where your wedding dress is?” Eve asked.

I pointed to a trunk in the corner. “I think it might be in there.”