Page 24

“…And then I grabbed him, and we ran out of there,” I say, finishing his explanation when it appears he won’t.

Maidar steeples his fingers in front of him, his typical “thinking” posture.

“Interra is a mysterious place, but there are many stories about it. And while no two stories are exactly alike…let us say that they often rhyme. There are recurring patterns.”

“And do any of those patterns have anything to do with losing one’s memories?” Ruskin asks skeptically.

“Not specifically. The most persistent pattern is that Interra, as a shadow plane balanced between realms, compels a certain balance in turn. In the stories, those who go to Interra find that it always takes something from and gives something to the visitor. A loss and a gain. It would explain why it took your memories, and the changes in her appearance.” He gestures to me.

I blink. “What are you talking about? What changes?”

Destan stares. “Now you mention it…”

I hurry over to the mirror on the dressing table, staring at my reflection.

I suppose you could say my eyes look slightly more upturned, and my face less round—but I’ve been traveling in a realm where safe food is limited, so a little weight loss could explain that. But my irises. In certain lights you could argue the pale blue is darker than it was, almost lilac.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I say, spinning around to accuse Destan and Ruskin. Destan bites his lip.

“To be fair, Eleanor, I see you every day, and it’s pretty subtle.”

“And I have no reference for how you looked before,” says Ruskin nonchalantly. “I did notice your ears though.”

I pull back my hair to stare at the tops of my ears. They’re less round, I’m certain, and I run a finger over them, feeling the tiniest of points.

“But why?” I say, unsettled. “Why this of all things?” I don’t say aloud what it is—I look more fae. Not enough for people to assume I’m not human, but enough to make me look other, not quite belonging to either group anymore.

Maidar hunches his craggy shoulders in what I think is meant to be a shrug. “Why did Interra take Stiltskin’s memories? What did it take from you and give him in return? If these questions had obvious answers, the place would not be considered mysterious.”

I frown. This doesn’t feel like gaining something to me, but I don’t voice the thought.

Ruskin clears his throat. “Stiltskin?” he asks with disdain.

Destan sniggers. “I’d forgotten about that nickname.”

“So what do you think? Can you get them back, his memories?” I say, still feeling rattled, and afraid of the answer to this question.

“That all depends on where they’ve gone,” says Maidar. “We’ll need to run some experiments.”

“And then what?” Ruskin says. “To be practical, we still have a problem far larger than my missing memories. There’s a woman looking to destroy my kingdom who needs me dead and Eleanor in her clutches, and we have no idea where she is, or what we’ll do when she inevitably makes her next move. If we came here for allies, let us secure them.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but your memories should be your priority,” I argue.

“Why? Because it will make you feel better?” he asks sharply. The words sting, partially because of the fear they stoke in me—is he even going to try to get his memory back?

“No, because they’re what make you you!” I snap, frustrated.

We stand there, both glaring at each other, until Destan steps in.

“How about a compromise? Ruskin, you’ll work on these experiments with Maidar, and Eleanor and I will work on this ally problem. It’s better you avoid socializing with the Unseelie as much as possible anyway. The more time you spend with them, the more likely they are to start realizing you’re lacking knowledge you should have.”

Ruskin shakes his head, but when he responds, it’s not to argue.

“You need to look to Lisinder’s kin first. There were several members of that audience who were more incensed than the rest about the idea of Evanthe re-assuming rule after all these years and using dark magic to do it. The woman who escorted us to the cavern is one, I could see it in her face. People like her would rather see a half Unseelie ruler at the head of the court than a Seelie one. She could be useful to us. Lisinder’s already told us he feels duty bound to his court. If enough of them want him to side with us against my mother, then I think he will change his mind about backing us with his forces.”

I lift my eyebrows in surprise. Ruskin has been watching and learning, picking up on the court dynamics without ever remembering having been here before. It’s impressive.

“So we need to make contact with those who have the ear of the king?”