Queen by Karen Lynch

Author:Karen Lynch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: urban fantasy, coming of age, fantasy, magic, young adult, teen, prince, faeries, hunters
Publisher: Karen Lynch

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It was two days before my mother was strong enough to leave her room. She didn’t need to be sedated, but Dad and I had to fight to get her to eat and drink. When she wasn’t sleeping, we took turns sitting with her so she wasn’t overwhelmed, and during my time with her, she wanted to know all about Prince Rhys.

When I wasn’t with Mom or Dad, I played outside with Finch and Aisla. I showed them how to build sand forts, and I created shallow wading pools that they delighted in for hours. I loved to watch them play together. They took joy in the simplest things and never asked for more than my company. Humans could learn a lot from sprites and nixies about making the most of life. As could Court faeries for that matter.

It wasn’t until my second evening there that Dad and I were able to sit and talk again. He asked about Faerie, and once I began, it all came pouring out of me like a dam that had burst open. I described the court, the town, and the people there. His face creased with concern when I told him about getting sick, and he asked a ton of questions when I described the market.

Then I got to my reunion with Gus. I described the nerve-racking flight across the valley and cliffs and over the ocean to the island. I got to the part where I saw the ke’tain in the temple, and I don’t know who was more shocked when I said, “The next thing I know, Aedhna is standing beside me, asking if I can feel the ke’tain’s power.”

My father stared at me as if he wasn’t sure whether I was joking or delusional. “Aedhna, the Fae goddess, appeared to you?”

“Yes,” I replied hesitantly. When nothing bad happened, I laughed breathlessly. “Her magic gag doesn’t work here.”

“Jesse, what are you talking about? You’re not making sense.”

I sank back in my chair. “Wait until you hear the rest.”

He listened raptly while I recounted my whole conversation with Aedhna, including her stunning revelation that I would help her repair the barrier between our worlds. I concluded with her disappearing and Gus returning me to court. I left out the part where the king walked in on Lukas and me kissing.

“She said I wouldn’t be able to tell anyone about it until after the job was done.” I looked around, half expecting a bolt of magic to come at me out of nowhere. When nothing happened, I let out a breath. “Either her magic doesn’t work on me here, or it only applies to me telling other faeries.”

Dad’s brow furrowed. “She didn’t give you any clue about what you have to do? Or when?”

“All she said was that I would know when the time is right.” I drew my legs up under me. “What can I possibly do for her that Lukas or the king can’t?”

“Maybe it has something to do with you being a new faerie.

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