12. CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 12

DANIELLA

When Larina wiggled herself out of my breast pocket, I nearly jumped. She had been so still, and I had been so focused on not being discovered that I’d forgotten she was there.

She shook herself, her entire body wiggling like that of a wet dog. Her wings gave a little snap and appeared behind her back. She jumped into the air and started hovering around.

I did a double-take.

“Where did you put your wings?” I asked.

“I can stash them away,” she said as if that was the most obvious of things, and I should’ve known. Maybe I’d been wearing these pointy ears way too long, and she’d forgotten I was human and was still clueless about most things concerning Elf-hame and its people.

“I must say, you had him fanning your fire.”

“I did what?”

“I mean you handled him.”

“Oh, we have a similar saying.” I stared at the pattern on the rug, still feeling addled by the rush of emotion and release of stress.

“Well, what is it?” she asked when I didn’t elaborate.

“What is what?”

“Your similar saying.”

I had to concentrate and think back and figure out what she meant. “It’s… um… to have someone eating out of the palm of your hand.”

She nodded appreciatively. “I like it.”

“Though I don’t think I had anyone eating out of the palm of my hand.”

“Yes, you did. After that performance, he’ll believe anything you say.”

“What do we do now, Larina?” I felt at a loss.

“We wait?” She sounded as uncertain as I felt.

I nodded thoughtfully. “Cardian’s my best chance to find Kalyll, but what if I can’t get the information out of him? What if we wait, and it’s a waste of time?”

“It’s definitely a possibility.”

“The others could go on to search for him, I suppose.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Larina said.

“I need a way to communicate with them, though. Do you think they’re all right?”

“It sounds like they got away.”

“I hope so.”

“Any idea how I can get in touch with them in Nerethien? Oh, God, I hope no one finds them.”

“It’s a big place,” Larina said reassuringly, “and they’re used to this kind of thing. They know what to do, so I don’t think we should worry about them.” She paused and thought for a long moment. “Maybe Shadow can help.”

“But can we trust her? I knew she was right about Kalyll’s location, but—“

“I think we can trust her. When I was in your room, retrieving the brooch, she came to warn us about Cardian being here.”

I pulled at my hair. “The brooch.” I had forgotten about it. “If I hadn’t tried to go back for it, this wouldn’t have happened. I would be with the others.”

The brooch suddenly appeared in front of Larina. It floated with a layer of pixie dust and slowly descended to my hand. I tightened my fingers around it.

“Thank you,” I said so quietly I barely heard myself.

“I… I think you could still go with the others,” Larina said. “But…”

I looked up and met her eyes. “But that may not be the smartest choice.”

“Yes. Now you have another path that can help you find the king, whereas before you only had one, a very unlikely one.”

I couldn’t argue with that, but the thought of being here and playing this game with Cardian, of all people… I wasn’t sure I could do it.

You have to do it, that other voice spoke inside my head. You have no other choice.

I took a deep breath, finding enough strength inside me to face my situation in its entirety. Maybe I didn’t grow up expecting to be stabbed in the back at every turn, but I was made of stronger stuff than I gave myself credit for. All of my siblings were fighters, and even they would bet on me last because I’d always been the nurturing kind, I had Sunder steel in me. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have survived Mount Ruin or an attack from the most powerful thunderlord in the realm.

Never doubt yourself, Dani. Those days are over.

“Can I ask you for a favor, Larina?” I said.

“Anything.”

“If I ever doubt myself, remind me that I’m a Sunder.”

She frowned, looking confused, but in the end, she just shrugged and gave me a strong nod. “I shall.”

“Thank you.” I paused and considered. “Do you think you can find Shadow?”

“Of course.”

“Okay. I’ll go back to my chamber since that’s what Cardian expects. That crystal bird is there, so I’m sure he’ll be watching me. When you find Shadow, bring her over if it seems safe. Warn her not to say anything, though. We’ll find somewhere to talk.”

“Very well.” She started to fly away.

I put a hand out. “Larina.”

She glanced back.

“Be safe?”

She nodded. “I doubt Cardian has noticed me. I’m just a servant, after all.”

“I think when it’s all said and done, he will know exactly who you are.” I don’t know what made me say that, but it sounded right. Someone like Larina should never be ignored. People like Cardian, on the other hand, no one should ever listen to them.

Larina disappeared through one of those tiny doors located close to the ceiling. The palace had them everywhere, it seemed, a convenient way for small, winged servants to go in and out between rooms, but also a callous custom that made it easier for those in power to ignore some of the minor folk.

Keep ignoring us, Cardian, and when you least expect it, we’ll be your downfall.

I’d only been in my chamber for about ten minutes when Larina and Shadow floated through the small hole above the main door. They hovered in midair, waiting expectantly.

I pressed a finger to my mouth and went into the closet, humming tunelessly as if I didn’t have a care in the world. I changed clothes quickly, selecting one of the flowing Jovinian dresses Cardian would expect me to wear. I much preferred the tunics and leggings, but I needed to play my part to perfection.

When I was done, I rejoined the pixie and the sprite, and we left the chamber together. Once in the corridor, I glanced longingly toward the garden exit, wishing we could exit that way. I wanted to get out of this godforsaken palace at least for a moment, but I was sure the exit would be locked.

I started to turn in the opposite direction, but Larina waved a hand, urging us to take the stairs to the left.

Once we had descended a few steps, she whispered, “King Kalyll had the door fitted to your touch?”

“He did? When? Why?”

“When you were asleep. He said you liked the garden, said he saw you heal a trampled flower once. It’s the same reason he had me keep them fresh by your side.”

I had done that for Valeriana, the sweet little druid girl we’d found in Mid Crosswood what felt like a lifetime ago. I had no idea he’d seen me do that. From that simple act, he’d realized I liked flowers and unwittingly saved me from an eternity of frozen rest.

My heart constricted at the thought of Kalyll’s pain while I lay there immobile. He must have felt so hopeless. What must he be going through right now not knowing I was awake? But in the same way he’d afforded me a way out of my death-like prison, I would do the same for him.

When we reached the large wooden door, I pressed a hand to the handle. A little shock of awareness went up my fingers, as if the metal recognized me, and the lock gave. I pulled and let us out into the beautiful Eastside garden.

It was a relief to feel fresh air on my face and stand under the open sky. I was starting to hate the Vine Tower—same as Silver—and if it was to be my home in the near future, maybe I needed to spend more time in the gardens rather than inside.

My future home, I mused. What an impossibility!

I walked to a bush replete with red roses. I cradled one in my hand. The silk-soft petals caressed my fingers. A sweetness that unleashed a thousand memories filled my nostrils. I recalled the rose Kalyll had given me in Imbermore, the one I’d left behind when Valeriana freaked out because I wasn’t there when she woke up. I still wished I had kept it and pressed it between the pages of a beloved book. At least I had the brooch, my desire to keep it had caused me to get separated from the others, but in the end, it might be the thing that would lead me to Kalyll.

Slowly, I turned to face Larina and Shadow. They had respected my thoughtful silence, and I was grateful for that.

“Thank you for coming, Shadow,” I said. “I know we weren’t very nice earlier, and I apologize once more.”

“No need for that,” she said dryly, stopping me short.

She was stoic and off-putting, but I had no way of telling if this was her regular personality, or if we’d brought it out with our rudeness. Only time would tell.

“Very well,” I said, inclining my head.

“You should know, Lady Fenmenor, that I am being dismissed,“ Shadow said. “Me and others who were faithful to King Beathan, Queen Eithne, and King Kalyll, are being sent away. We have an hour to vacate the premises.”

“How dare he?!” Anger burned in my chest. “What a horrible, horrible male.” I stretched my fingers, trying to dispel that tingling feeling gathering at the tips. Oh, how I would enjoy turning Cardian into a lifeless husk.

“It shouldn’t be a problem,” Larina interjected. “Cardian doesn’t know about me. I can move in and out of the palace without constraint or care from anyone, so I can be your go-between, if need be.”

“Thank you, Larina.” I turned to Shadow. “Are you still willing to help us find King Kalyll?”

She nodded once. “Queen Eithne wanted nothing more than for him to ascend to the throne. I will endeavor to make her wishes come true. But you should know, my biggest desire is revenge against her murderer. In fact, just before I came to you, I tried to find Cardian, but the milksop is more heavily guarded than the gates to The Blessed Fields, and what is more, he has a nullifier with him. “

I fully understood what she was saying, that if Kalyll didn’t wish to see his half-brother dead, her goal would remain. She would not respect Kalyll’s wishes even if he was the king, even if there were consequences. She wouldn’t rest until Cardian was six feet under. I was strangely touched by her murdering tendencies. They seemed to align with mine at my worst moments, like this one. Clearly, she had really loved the queen.

“I understand,” I said.

“But can you please hold off until Cardian leads us to the king?”

“Do you have a plan?” Shadow asked.

“A plan? Not really,” I admitted. “Um… First, I guess the Sub Rosa needs to know that I’m all right and that I’ve infiltrated the traitor’s ranks. Then I’ll try to get Cardian to trust me further. “

Infiltrated. I almost rolled my eyes at the word. What had my life turned into? I looked from the pixie to the sprite wondering if they were about to burst out laughing, but they looked as serious as two soldiers ready for orders.

Encouraged by this, I went on. “I think we should also contact Naesala Roka.”

“Naesala Roka?!” They both exclaimed.

Now, they were looking at me as if I was crazy. I quickly explained how the sorceress had helped us hide when we escaped the Vine Tower the first time Cardian took over. For now, I left out the part about Naesala being a human spy. I had no idea how that would go over with them, so it was best to keep things simple.

Shadow looked baffled. “We never suspected her of being anything but loyal to Cardian.”

By we, Iassumed she meant she and Queen Eithne. It was starting to sound as if the two had been friends and not just a monarch and a subject.

“We can trust the sorceress,” I said. “You can be sure of that. We need to enlist her. She can help us find Kalyll and fight Cardian. It wouldn’t hurt to have a powerful ally like her. Then we can go at Cardian from two different sides. Here and Nerethien.”

They both nodded, approving of my idea. At least, I wasn’t a complete fool when it came to espionage. Who would’ve figured?

Dani the healer spy slash human life-sucker slash future queen of the Seelie Fae. What a mind job!

“Larina, I trust you would be able to contact the sorceress,” I said.

“Most definitely.” She pressed a fist to her chest and inclined her head, a zealous expression on her face.

I nearly teared up, grateful that I had her help. She was as devoted to finding Kalyll as I was, and that was no small matter.

I faced Shadow next. “Could you get a message out to the Sub Rosa through your network?”

“Consider it done,” the sprite assured me. “They will be informed before nightfall.”

I had no idea how she would accomplish it, but I didn’t question it. My gratitude extended to her as well. She seemed fiercely loyal to the late queen as well as her plans for her son, and I had a feeling Shadow would do everything in her power to reinstate him to the throne.

“Anything else you can think of?” I asked.

They both seemed slightly taken aback. I assumed it was because they weren’t used to being asked their opinion.

“Look,” I said, “I need all the help I can get. This court is a new beast to me. I don’t know its etiquette. I don’t know its rules, spoken or unspoken. For that, I’m going to need to rely on you two.”

I waited expectantly as they thought for a moment.

“You…” Shadow began hesitantly, “should make sure that Cardian invites you to his nightly gatherings. He loves nothing more than to lounge with good wine and food while others parade in front of him, making fools of themselves as they try to impress him. Deep down, he knows no one respects him, so he constantly needs validation.”

I listened intently, a picture of the exact type of person I would need to be around him quickly taking shape inside my head.

“Sometimes, when he gets drunk,” Shadow went on, “he talks too much. Mind you, he knows this about himself, so he has learned to make an exit when things get out of hand. That thunderlord of his makes sure to intercede if Cardian fails to realize he’s beyond his cups. Varamede Elis is the only person he fully trusts.”

“That is great information, Shadow,” I said. “I will take it to heart and do my best to get invited to his gatherings.”

I glanced around the garden, feeling slightly better about our prospects. We had a plan or the outline of one, at least. Now, I just had to let Dark Dani keep the reins.

Before this was over, her ruthlessness might be needed.