The Spring Witch by Kinrade Karpov & Hildenbrand Heather

Author:Kinrade, Karpov & Hildenbrand, Heather [Kinrade, Karpov & Hildenbrand, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
Amazon: B0833F449D
Goodreads: 50101450
Publisher: Daring Books
Published: 2020-05-07T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

After hasty goodbyes, I climb into the carriage and use the journey to compose myself for all I must do tonight. The road is bumpy, and I keep a wary eye out for bandits. I’m not used to being a potential target… I’m usually the one doing the targeting. But we don’t encounter any trouble. There are more soldiers out tonight, probably by order of the king to protect all his rich friends.

The sight of them makes me nervous, but I look the part I am trying to play, and so they let us pass by unmolested.

By the time I arrive, I am ready to finish this mission. Or as ready as I’ll ever be. The only thing I’m not prepared for is the sight of the castle itself. Despite the lanterns and soft, white pathway lights, the castle is a dark, imposing structure. I step out of the carriage, gripping Tunk’s hand tightly as I take it in. My chest tightens as the dark fae energy washes over me. But I force a smile at Tunk and concentrate on steady breathing. I am not going to be slowed down by a little dark magic. My mother’s ring warms my finger and my own renewed power thrums underneath my skin.

I will do what I came to do.

The dark king’s rule ends tonight.

I’m not just here to steal an artifact. I’m here to steal a kingdom.

With a few murmured parting words for Tunk, I tell him where to wait for my signal. He nods and hurries off to park the carriage and check in with Sarge and the others I know will be stationed on the outskirts, but close enough to intervene if needed. When he climbs back into the carriage, I turn and make my way up the long stone path leading to tall double doors carved with an intricate tree.

My eyes mist at the sight. No amount of dark fae magic can erase the light imbued in this wood, this design..

A soldier dressed in the more formal black and gold uniform of the dark fae king stops me as I approach.

“Invitation?” He sounds bored.

“I . . .” I hesitate. Lord Tyler has mine, and I don’t see him anywhere. Maybe he’s stood me up--all part of the lies he wove to me these past weeks.

When I don’t produce one, the soldier sighs as if he’s dealt with this before. “Name?”

“Kate--” I stop when I realize I never told Lord Tyler my last name.

But the soldier simply checks a list and nods. “You’re free to enter.”

I exhale and hurry past him.

I’m in.

The grand foyer is lit with twinkling lights that offer a clear path to the ballroom. Even without the lights, I know the way, but I walk slowly, pretending to be entranced with the luxury around me. In reality, I fight back the bile that rises as I take in the dark cloud of twisted power that hangs in these halls.

Gone are the banners that once hung here and the flags that flew the colors of our allied kingdoms.

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