91

Elias and I sat at a long table atop the dais, with Enet and Khainan seated at our sides. The band played a riotous, fast-moving song, and the crowd of wolves on the floor engaged in one of Nightfall’s many elegant, quick, high-energy jigs. I caught a few glimpses of Fina and Adora in the crowd, exchanging grins as they bounced gleefully between dance partners. Laughter rang through the room as men swung women up into the air, dark skirts flashed like waves, and even a few kisses were snuck on the dance floor.

Looking out over the crowd, with a glass of wine in my hand and Elias’ hand on my thigh, I felt settled. I felt like I was at home. Elias gazed over the crowd, too, then caught my eye and gave me a small smile.

We’d been through a lot. In my darkest moments I’d thought I might never see him again.

But here we were. Seated side by side with a convoy from abroad, overlooking our kingdom. I’d survived Draunar and Corinne both. Elias had survived a brush with craziness.

If we’d made it through that, we could make it through anything.

Then the jig came to a stop. On the dance floor, the wolves’ attention turned to the band curiously as they awaited the next song. Instead, Lady Glennis stepped forward with a demure smile on her face, and gestured for the band to step aside. In their place, from the side door, a band of jaguar shifters stepped forward, carrying beautiful drums and elegant brass horns.

“The Queen and King of Askon have graced us with their presence,” Lady Glennis said warmly, “and brought us from their kingdom a fine show of music and dance. Please, clear some space.”

Titters of curiosity rose throughout the crowd as the wolves stepped back, making space on the floor. From the same door the band had walked through came a stream of tall, lithe dancers, dressed in loose, colorful clothes that fluttered off their bodies, with bells strapped to their ankles and wrists.

“You’re going to love this,” Enet murmured, leaning close to me. “These are the finest in Askon.”

The dancers took their places in the center of the room, toes pointed, hands up, backs slightly arched in long, gorgeous curved poses. The drumming began first, heavy and rhythmic, and they began to move slowly, like reeds in the wind, the bells jingling with each movement.

Drums. Horns. The dancing picked up. Now they’d become fast-paced and athletic with turns and leaps, hypnotizing me with their beauty.

And then the doors to the throne room slammed open.

“Your Highness!” Kodan shouldered in, eyes wide, sweat beading on her forehead. “King Elias!”

The band stuttered to a stop. The dancers did too, their motion stilling in a wave as they turned to the doors. “Elias,” Kodan said again. She rushed past the dancers to the dais. Her breathing was short and quick from exertion. “Portals,” she said. “Portals to the south.”

Elias stood up. “Portals?”

“No movement,” Kodan said. “No Fae. They just opened. We don’t know from where. Don’t know where they go. They’re just there.”

“Yet,” I said, low. “No Fae yet.”

The Fae queen was testing us. And this was just the beginning.