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“What the hell do you thinkyou’redoing?” she demands.

“Temperance,” Malaki says, “I don’t have time for this.”

“The hell you don’t. You better damn wellmaketime.”

He hesitates, and that’s all the opening I need.

I mouththanksto Temper, and slip down the hall.

“Hey!” Malaki shouts after me, but then I hear Temper lay into him, and let me tell you, that girl knows how to rip a man a new asshole. I can still hear her when I turn down the next hallway, making my way to the front of the palace.

A few guards have broken away from Malaki; they now trail after me. If any of them disagree with my getting involved in this situation, they keep that opinion to themselves.

I enter the entrance hall and head towards the huge bronze doors leading out.

Can’t believe I’m doing this.Des wanted me to be his queen, and I fought and fought against that … And now I find myself here, eagerly taking on a threat to his kingdom.

The guards manning the main entrance open the doors for me, and then I’m passing them by, leaving the castle behind me.

I come to a halt when I notice them.

Sleeping soldiers are marching up the streets of Somnia, headed right for the gates, and there must be hundreds of them. These sleeping soldiers aren’t from the Night Kingdom. Some have flowers sprouting from their hair, others have feathers and tails.

This is what remains of the Thief’s stolen army. These are the victors, the ones who’ve been terrorizing the Flora and Fauna Kingdoms. The evidence of it is in plain sight—most of them are covered in gore, blood and other bits matted into their hair or else dried and discolored on their clothing.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned of fairies, it’s that they take groomingveryseriously. Which makes the whole thing all the more ghastly. This army looks like the risen dead.

But despite their gruesome appearance, for once they’re not madly striking out. And they’ve come here of all places …

One of the royal aides bustles up to me. “My queen, we barred the ley line portals just like the king asked—they got through anyway.”

The Thief of Souls’ power … it eclipses that of a king.

“We took several of the soldiers down at the portal entrance, but they’re not attacking …”

I take an audible breath, and the aide stops talking.

“I’ll deal with them,” I say, still eyeing the soldiers.

The aide backs away, leaving me alone. Ahead of me, the soldiers march in orderly lines, their faces passive.

The moment they reach the gates, they stop. Their final footfall echoes through the streets, and then all is silent.

I take another deep breath and cross the yard, towards the fence that encircles the palace. As I approach the soldiers, I release my siren. My skin illuminates, and my stride turns a little sensual.

“You are not to harm any of the Night King’s subjects,” I shout, my voice carrying through the night.

Silence. Then—

“We’re not here for them,” one of the soldiers says. Her voice is quiet, yet her words seem to reach every corner of this city.

“Why are you here?” I ask.

“You know why,” another soldier says.

I don’t actually.

I stop several feet from the gate. “Enlighten me,” I say softly.