A Thief of Nightshade(71)

“Come in, then.” He motioned for the Fae to let Oberon in.

“I

will

not

bore

you

with

pleasantries, young Prince. We’ve more important matters to discuss.” Oberon slowly walked in and took a seat in one of the wingback chairs at the center of the room. He then turned to the guards at the door. “I want you both to stand watch outside of that door and make sure my friend and I are not disturbed.”

“Yes, your Majesty.” Both Fae bowed before leaving the room.

“Come, let us talk openly,” Oberon

said.

Given didn’t seem the least bit pleased about staying behind, but one way or another Ian had convinced her to relent and remain in Agincourt. She stood with her arms crossed and didn’t so much as blink when Ian walked up to kiss her cheek and bid her goodbye.

Beside Aubrey stood Aislinn, who was equally interested in what took place in front of them.

“Someone has a crush,” Aubrey whispered.

“Shut up.”

She hadn’t had cause for mirth in days, but her laughter came unforced. The tension between Aislinn and Given had been palpable for days. The previous evening, before Aubrey and Given had fallen asleep, Given had told her about how she’d kissed Aislinn. Aubrey normally hated soap operas and drama in general, but she loved this.

“Are you ready to go?” Ian asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be. Are we really walking?” Aubrey’s heels already hurt from all the walking she’d done.

“We aren’t far at all,” Ian said. “But we can take a coach if your furry friend here would like to travel separately. If we walk through the woods, we won’t be noticed. If we take the main road, we will be. The choice is—”

“The choice has already been made.

I’m not staying behind. Now, let’s get moving. Aubrey, your wounds will wear you out. Get on my back and I’ll carry you.”





Chapter Twenty-


Six


“ARE YOU GOING TO THE WINTER

COURT?”

Given turned around, stunned to have heard Lipsey. “Sssh, not so loud. What are you doing here?” She was fairly certain the passage she was taking wasn’t well known, so how the little squirrel could have found it was beyond her.

“Aislinn told me to find you and go with you if you were going to the Winter Court. I followed your smell. So, I suppose if you’re going somewhere else, well, then I guess I won’t be going with you. Though, I could if you really wanted me to...”

“I should have known. Come on then,” she whispered. “We’ve got to hurry if we’re going to make it in time.”

“You sure are dressed up!” Lipsey said loudly.

“Sssh!” Given clamped a hand over his nose and mouth, pulling him up to see her eye to eye. “You’re going to get us caught of you don’t keep it down.”

He squeaked out a muffled apology.

She placed him on her shoulder. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “And yes, I am dressed up. I have to appear as a masquerade guest. My mask is in here.”

She patted her shoulder bag.

“I suppose I don’t really need a disguise.”

“No, you can hide in my cape just fine.”

The tunnel they were in was ancient, covered in cobwebs and all sorts of very unpleasant things. It was all she could do to keep from getting dirt and muck on her gown. After several more minutes of silence, they came through into the forest on the other side.

“Isn’t

Aubrey

going

to

the

masquerade?” Lipsey whispered.

“Of course and you don’t have to whisper now.”

“Why didn’t she wear a dress?

Maybe she doesn’t like dresses? I wouldn’t if I were a girl.”

Given couldn’t remember the last time she’d giggled, but she did then. “I

suppose you wouldn’t. The potion she got from Lady Crimson will take care of that.”

“Oh,” he said thoughtfully.

“How soon after the masquerade will the coronation be?” Aubrey asked.

Ian looked tense. He’d looked tense since they’d left Agincourt. “Isn’t that a question you should have thought to ask his Majesty before leaving on this venture?”

Aislinn laughed. “In other words, he doesn’t have a clue.”

Ian glanced back and glared at Aislinn. “You’re right, I don’t know. What I can tell you is that this is foolish. What if you’re caught? Aubrey, I assume you have the Oran?”

“Oberon gave it to me this morning before we left.”

Ian fiddled with the leather of his vest quietly before responding. “If Saralia gets her hands on the Oran, everything you hope to accomplish by journeying to the Winter Court will be for naught. I think I should hold onto it for safekeeping. I’ll never be far from your side.”

Aubrey didn’t like that idea at all, but he had a point. What if the potion didn’t last as long as they’d hoped and she was still in the Winter Court when it wore off?

She looked to Aislinn. “You could keep it.”

Aislinn shook his head and to Aubrey’s surprise, agreed with Ian.