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“Report,” I ordered as he fell into step beside me.

“All the flora within the palace are potted. Not a single thing with roots in the ground. It would be difficult to mount a significant defense here using flora gifts,” he said, no hint of regret in his words. Unlike most males, Osheen was perfectly satisfied with the gift he’d been given and its strength. He did not long for more.

I’d once longed for less.

But that was a different time.

Only children bothered to hope for the impossible.

“Then you will be stationed outside, starting tonight,” I said, glancing his way. Osheen nodded; he’d already been expecting this order.

“There is plenty of foliage there to use. The plants are different, to be sure. But they are just as powerful as those in the Shadow Wood,” Osheen said.

“Good. Work out a schedule and report daily—” My head snapped forward; as if an invisible string had yanked on my chin, my consciousness.

Osheen inhaled sharply. “What is that…”

I scarcely heard the soft purr of Gwen’s shift. I was already sprinting down the corridor.

The Queen.

22

VEYKA

Drip. Drip. Drip.

My ears twitched, pulling me to wakefulness instantly. We imagined ourselves so evolved, but fae were only a few steps above the animals that so many of the terrestrials could still shift into. Like a mother wolf protecting her den, my ears heard the sound of blood hitting the tiled floor.

Only fae blood made that particular sound.

The veins of the fell creatures that haunted the Blasted Pass ran with thicker blood that turned sticky in a matter of moments. Humans were the opposite. Their blood was so watery, spilling over the ground in waves of crimson.

The pattern of the human blood, as it spilled from the humans who’d killed my brother, was burned into my mind. Even though it had long been scrubbed away, I doubted I would ever forget the peculiarities of human blood—bright red, coppery.

Not like fae blood. Thick, scarlet, vibrating with its own magic. It seemed to call out to the fae bodies around it, as if some shade of the fae lifeforce remained within.

Those drops hitting the floor were fae.

There was no doubt in my mind.

And they were coming closer.

From the direction of the veranda. Half of the time, Parys fell asleep on one of the reclining lounge chairs there, claiming he liked to feel the breeze upon his face. A believable claim, for an elemental fae blessed with wind powers. Some nights, I joined him, staring beyond the tiered balconies to the star-bright sky beyond.

But not tonight.

Tonight, the balcony was empty.

Which left an opportunity for the assassin.

Drip drip drip drip drip—closer together. Faster.

The assassin had already killed once, their weapon dripping with blood. The cost of reaching my bedchamber—another fae life.

I didn’t have much time. My fingers closed around the dagger that lived beneath my pillow.

One slow breath in, letting the air fill my body and call every muscle to attention.