A Kiss of Shadow (Court of Starlight and Darkness #2)(6)

“One question at a time, ladies,” Eve said. “I can bring you back, Meria. But the seer doesn’t like to be disturbed, so we need to keep it minimal on this first visit.”

I frowned and looked at Meria. “It’s not fair that I got the crown and I get to go first to ask about my family. You’ve got a missing family, too.”

“Maybe not, but you’re the one with mysterious magic that needs explaining so you can defeat the super witch. So you should go first.”

“I agree with her,” Eve said. “We’ve all got a lot invested in you not screwing this up.”

I gave a weak laugh, but she was right. I really needed to not screw this up.

Decided on our course of action, we approached the tree in silence. Eve stopped about fifteen feet away, and we did the same. The tree leaves rustled in the breeze, and the sight of the ancient oak made awe rise within me. It was so big that my mind could hardly comprehend it.

“What next?” Meria whispered.

“Patience,” Eve said. “She knows we’re here. She just needs to decide if she’s going to show herself.”

I drew in a deep breath, vowing to wait patiently.

That lasted all of two seconds.

Come on, come on.

Finally, magic shimmered on the air. It felt like rough bark and smelled of leaves. A ghostly figure appeared at the trunk of the tree, her form ephemeral and vague. She was semi-transparent and her face was featureless, but the power that emanated from her was enough to shake my bones.

“Queen Sia. Why have you woken me from my slumber?” Her low voice carried on the breeze.

My friends stepped back, leaving me front and center as the Truth Teller approached.

Did she sound annoyed to be awoken? Just the idea of her being annoyed made me annoyed.

“You’re the one who got me in this damned situation, so yes, I’ve woken you up. I need answers.”

Eve sucked in a breath behind me, and I could almost feel her cringing. Maybe she had a point, and I was being a bit rude.

“Sorry.” I inclined my head. “I’m just on edge.”

“You should be. There are threats approaching you from every direction.”

I blew out a breath. That confirmed the stalker I’d seen in the shadow. “What can you tell me about them?”

“To be wary. There is danger coming from within the kingdom and without. There are ones who want what you have, but you must not let them take it from you.”

The damned throne was turning into a lot of trouble.

“But that’s not why you’re really here, is it?” she asked.

“No. I’ve been looking for my parents for years. I never knew them, and I wanted to. But now it’s become more pressing. I have magic I don’t understand, and I’m hoping they can explain it to me.”

“I do not know who they are, but I do know the answers you seek can be found at High Court Palace. Look for the woman with the violet eyes.”

“Violet eyes? Is that all I have to go by?”

“It will be very obvious. You can trust her. You are safe when you are with her.” With that, she began to disappear back into the trunk of the tree.

“Wait!” I reached out, but it was too late. “Damn it!” I spun around, wanting to scream my frustration to the sky.

“That was pretty good, actually,” Eve said. “You got some concrete stuff out of her.”

“You call that concrete?”

“Compared to some of her other messages, yes.”

“What is High Court Palace?”

“It’s the seat of power for the High Court, which is made up of the fae royalty of each kingdom. You technically now have a seat.”

“Is there a ruler of the court?”

“No. Everyone is equal, and the palace itself is a neutral location where they can all meet.”

“And one of them knows about my parents.”

“That’s what it sounds like to me,” Eve said.

Everything was falling into place. “I thought it was a mistake that I was sent to a fae bar to find my parents, but maybe it was all meant to be. My contact was human, though.”

“Or so you thought,” Eve said.

“They could still be human,” Meria added. “Just bespelled by someone. Fate works in mysterious ways.”

“Annoying ways.” I wanted better answers.

Eve gestured for us to follow her back to the portal. “Let’s get out of here before the Truth Teller decides we’ve overstayed our welcome.”

As Meria and I followed her back to the portal, I couldn’t help but look back at the massive oak tree.

Was I seriously taking life advice from a tree?

Looked like it.





Lore



* * *



I stood at the window of my library, overlooking my kingdom. Wolf stood by my side, tall enough to see out the window, too. The dark clouds that had hovered at the horizon were nearly to us, signaling the arrival of the witch with the deathly magic.

She was the greatest threat my people would ever face, and she’d arrive any day now. The thought made a grim sort of anticipation well in my gut.

It was nearly time.

I wanted her to come. This threat had been hanging over us for too long. But soon, it would be over. I still didn’t know what role Sia was meant to play, but I’d be there to protect her.