54

My paws hit the soft grass of the meadow. The differences between Faerie and my realm were even starker now with my sharpened animal senses. I could smell the magic in the air, bright and layered, like the air itself was sweetened. Everything about the Faerie was slightly different than what I was used to in Frasia, and even Shianga, from the hints of animal musk and humanoid sweat, even the dirt, even the wind. Everything was just different. I shook out my pelt and bared my teeth at Corinne, hackles up. I had half a mind to leap forward and tear her throat out myself. My inhibitions were not nearly as strong in my wolf form.

Corinne laughed, bright and musical, and then waved her hand idly in the air. She conjured a delicate silver muzzle out of the air, and it fit itself over my snout and snapped close. I snarled behind it and shook my head rapidly, trying to shake it off, but it was locked in place, fastened to a delicate silver collar that had made its way around my neck.

I snarled at her, drool dripping from my teeth through the silver muzzle onto the grass.

“Now, wolf,” she said with that cold smile, “I have much to attend to in the palace. You’ll be a fine companion. Come.”

She began to walk through the meadow at a leisurely pace, and I began to trot after her. I could still feel a small tendril of magic that attached me to her, like a leash.

She was controlling me.

Behind the muzzle I growled and snarled, but I couldn’t stop walking.

How was I going to make my way back to Elias now?

17

T

here was a small bustling village outside the Fae palace, not unlike the town close to the Shiangan castle. As we approached, Corinne waved her hand through the air again, conjuring a long, plain brown cloak that settled over her shoulders. She lifted the hood, concealing her hair and face, and pulled me closer so I was trotting right at her side.

We made our way through the narrow quiet streets, up to the entrance of the small palace. There were no doors to push open, just an immense white stone archway which led into a grand entrance hall that apparently doubled at the throne room. The floors were polished white stone, with gorgeous, intricately carved columns leading up to the high arched ceiling. The vast windows were inlaid with pink stones, overlooking the still lake outside.

At the far end of the hall, a white stone stood on top of a tall dais. The chair was empty, and looked like it had been for many years. Instead, the room was occupied by a handful of tall, beautiful, white-haired Fae dressed in clothes of fine pale colors, and a few in armor stationed by the dais.

“Pardon me.” A Fae man with silver hair tied back in an intricate braid approached. He was dressed in pale blue, and holding a quarterstaff in hand that was clearly not ceremonial. Despite the lack of armor, from the way he carried himself, I knew he would be a formidable foe. “We’re not hearing grievances today, the best time to return to the throne room would be early next week.”

Corinne lifted her head and pulled the hood down off her shoulders.

The man dropped his quarterstaff. “Your Highness,” he gasped.

“Adrian, my right hand,” she said with a smile. “I trust you’ve been taking care of the kingdom in my absence?”

“Milady,” he said, still clearly stunned. He fell to his knees in a bow. “You’ve finally returned.”

Recognition rippled through the throne room like a wave. Gasps and murmurs followed, the clatter of more things dropped, as the royal Fae fell to their knees to welcome back their queen.

No one paid any attention to me. I supposed in Faerie it was no surprise to see wolves—or perhaps the shock of having the queen back overpowered any curiosity about me. I was grateful for the lack of attention. I stuck close to Corinne’s side as she made her way through the throne room, greeting her court members delicately.

After what felt like a century of tearful greetings and handshakes and bows, finally Corinne turned back to Adrian and led him back behind the dais. They walked side by side through the spectacular courtyard behind the throne room, and then to a spiral staircase built into the side of the castle itself. I followed them up the winding white stairs to the second level, which opened up into a grand banquet hallway. I couldn’t hear what they were saying as they spoke in low voices, heads tipped toward each other. Corinne kept me at a short distance behind them, likely for this exact reason.

Finally, we reached the end of the banquet hall, where a white stone door stood carved with an ornate decoration of an immense tree, similar to the one Corinne had leaned on in the meadow. It was one of the first entryways I’d seen in the entire palace. Corinne embraced Adrian, and then he briskly turned and strode back through the banquet hall, only giving me a sideways glance as he left.

Behind the door was what I assumed were Corinne’s quarters. They were vast, elegant, and more than a little dusty. The furniture was covered in sheets, which Corinne methodically pulled off, revealing a dresser, an immense mirror, a stone hearth, and a few pieces of art. When she was done, she finally went to the grand four-poster bed and smoothed down the white linens.

“I never thought I’d see this place again,” she murmured, half to me and half to herself. “I thought I’d be sleeping on those ratty sheepskins forever.”

I sniffed and made my way to the rug by the hearth, and plopped down in front of it.