The Fae Queen's Revenge by Willow McCain

Author:Willow McCain [McCain, Willow]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AW Books
Published: 2024-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

Unexpected Meetings

As soon as the door closed behind Ber, Cairi spun to face him. He expected her to question him immediately, but instead, she placed a finger over her lips and shook her head. Though he lifted a brow, he remained silent and waited for her to speak.

“I hope you’ll forgive my meager display, my lord,” she said. “I had a dreadful assistant who broke quite a few pieces before I dismissed her. I’ve been gathering some of my finer globes in here to replenish them. Would you like to see?”

He cared nothing for light globes, but he nodded. “Naturally.”

Cairi opened several velvet-lined trunks, describing in detail the various enchantments on each piece. Keeping to his role, Ber pursed his lips in distaste and asked snide questions, though he knew little about the described spells regardless of his guise. It was at least more fascinating than listening to a courtier debate the merits of blue versus purple shoes.

“My lord, please forgive me,” the globemaker finally said. “It is clear that these don’t meet your expectations. However, if you would be willing to indulge me by accompanying me upstairs, I do have one very special piece locked away there.”

“I will give you this one last chance,” Ber replied, letting a sneer enter his voice. “My father must only have the best.”

She inclined her head. “Of course. If you’ll follow me?”

Though Halueth tensed beside him, Ber allowed the woman to lead them up a small set of stairs into her private domain. He could understand the bodyguard’s worry. If she were to set a trap for him, it would be a fine location. Yet he still found the risk low. She couldn’t have anticipated if or when he would’ve come, and she seemed too savvy to risk all she’d built here in such a strike.

As he stepped across the threshold, magic washed over him, its strength obvious even with his lack of skill, and a trickle of doubt danced down his spine. This was serious shielding. What would a globemaker need with such protection? Unwittingly, his hand fell to the hilt of his knife, and Halueth slipped in front of him with his own dagger drawn.

Cairi chuckled. “Sorry, but I couldn’t warn you about the shield. I have no ill will toward you, Prince Ber.”

“Why should I believe you?” Ber asked.

“You will or you won’t,” the globemaker said, shrugging. “Honestly, I bring few people here, but these protections block anyone from using magic to listen to what we say. I suspect that is not the case in the storeroom.”

It wasn’t a bad assumption on her part, although Ber hadn’t heard of any active missions here. However, the king did send regular spies to check on those who were frequently at the palace. It was one reason he’d been careful to be subtle in his approach.

“Were you part of the attack that happened in the garden?” Ber asked.

Shaking her head, Cairi moved to the safe and removed a small chest. “I truly knew nothing about it, but I’m not surprised.

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