Page 36 of A Promise of Lies (Shadows of the Tenebris Court #3)

35

Kat

B eing away from Bastian had been hard before, but now I knew he was in such pain, it was a physical presence—a fist lodged in my chest.

But I had to accompany Cyrus to yet more stupid festivities. These were in the palace grounds again, since Dawn hesitated to invite Dusk to their side of the palace after what had happened at the wedding. The fools didn’t understand the enemy lay within.

Even worse, Cyrus had insisted events start at ten o’clock in the morning so he could have a full day before Sleep claimed him.

The only thing keeping me going was that I’d arranged through my drop point to meet Bastian in the hothouse while everyone was distracted. But as I circulated with a drink, I noted Amandine mere paces behind.

She’d never stuck to me this closely, certainly not since I’d been given a longer rein, but after Uncle Rufus’s tragic passing, I’d heard the head of Cyrus’s personal guard giving her a brutal reprimand.

Even worse, Cyrus looked at me differently now. From the other side of the fountain, he met my gaze, smiled, raised his glass with a nod, but a wariness lingered in his eyes as they darted down to the iron bracelet.

It was one thing to hear I had magic that could kill with a touch; it was another to see its aftermath.

I would have to keep myself especially small and weak for the foreseeable future—anything to overpaint the image of my dead uncle and his agonised expression.

As I continued around the gardens, I noted the gathering’s different tone compared to the last time I’d been here. People seemed quieter, more sober, even though the drink had been flowing for a few hours already. Even the fae guests, who always looked so perfect, had dark shadows beneath their eyes. The atmosphere felt thinner, somehow, like it was ready to snap.

It set me on edge, so when I spotted Rose and Ari, heads bent together, away from the crowds, I aimed straight for them.

As I slipped in beside them, Amandine appeared and gave me a pointed look.

I returned it. “This is nothing to do with Dusk or Dawn. They are my friends—my human friends.”

Her mouth skewed to one side and she glanced back towards the fountain, but the king was out of sight now. With a sigh, she took a single step back.

Ari smiled at me, expression tight as her gaze skipped to the guard. “It’s good to see you, Kat.”

Rose, on the other hand, seemed unbothered by Amandine’s presence and wrapped me in a hug. “It’s been too long.”

The feel of her choked me, where normally it would be so—well, normal . “You’re telling me.”

As though reassured by Rose’s actions, Ari gave me a quick hug too. “Are you all right? I heard your uncle…”

I shrugged. “Tragic accident.”

“Good riddance,” she replied with surprising viciousness.

Rose grunted in agreement.

Out of nowhere a streak of white and crimson appeared. “Fluffy,” I laughed, almost falling over as the hellhound ran around my feet in greeting.

A full minute later, once she’d finished, I scratched her behind her flaming ears, and she eventually settled at my side, leaning into my leg.

Ari cocked her head at us. “Even though she hasn’t seen you in ages, she’s still all over you. It’s so strange.”

“She’s the same with Bastian. I probably smell of him.”

Rose laughed. “You two are lucky. She steers clear of me and Faolán. It must be the wolfy smell.”

We talked about the shop and a show they’d gone to a few weeks ago—safe topics that didn’t touch on the politics of the courts, but which filled the well that had emptied over my time in Dawn.

Past them, I caught Amandine craning in. She cocked her head, not quite her usual watchful look, but more… curious?

Another huddle of tired guests passed in silence, one rubbing his head.

I frowned as I sipped my drink. “You two have been around fae longer than I have. Can they get hangovers?”

Rose snorted and tilted her glass so it caught the light. “When they’re celebrating this many days in a row, yes .”

That explained the low energy.

“Not to mention the executions,” Ari muttered with a scowl.

Amandine’s attention shot to me, and I opened my mouth to steer the topic away, when I spotted Bastian on the other side of a group.

That fist that had been lodged in my chest since yesterday’s executions dropped to the ground.

If the other fae looked pale, he looked positively ill. Purple circles ghosted under his eyes. His usually rich brown skin seemed dull like all the colour had been desaturated from it.

I ached to go to him, to hold him, to grieve with him. Kaliban’s absence hit me all over again. The fact it was permanent stole my breath.

And much as I knew he needed me now, I needed him too. Although I’d survived Uncle Rufus, there was still the echo of his hold around my throat. I needed the erasing solace of Bastian’s touch.

Ari and Rose had continued talking. They must’ve picked up on Amandine’s reaction because they’d changed topic and were discussing Ari’s work and a recent order of spidersilk fabric she’d recently received.

I tried to engage. Being with them was a comfort—truly. But my attention kept skipping over Ari’s shoulder to Bastian.

Ella was on his arm, and we made eye contact. Her eyebrows flashed up in a silent question, asking if I was all right.

I inclined my head, disguising the motion with another sip of my drink.

Still holding my gaze, Ella tiptoed to Bastian’s ear and whispered something. He laughed, though no amusement reached his eyes and its insincerity hurt my heart. But it made him turn to Ella and he used that excuse to look past her to me.

Over my glass, we held eye contact. A hundred things unsaid passed between us in the smallest expressions. He was not all right. Grief weighed on him and concern wore lines where there had been none a few months ago. He must’ve heard about my uncle’s death by now, and he would have questions. He cocked his head ever so slightly, the only sign he could give of them.

Then someone passed between us, and the moment was broken. Once they’d gone, he was looking away. Sensible.

I tore myself away, just in time for Cyrus to join us. “There she is, my pretty little thing. And with yet more humans. I swear you’re trying to take over Elfhame.” Despite his winning smile, there was an edge to his tone. “You’ll excuse us.”

With that, he held out his arm and ushered me into a room in Dawn’s side of the palace overlooking the gardens. Floral decorations adorned with fae lights cascaded from the ceiling and corners, giving the illusion that we were still outdoors. The sombre mood was amplified in here. With so few people, every little sound echoed off the walls.

I still had time before I was due to meet Bastian. Gods willing, Cyrus would lose interest in me and I’d be able to slip away outside.

“The Wild Hunt will be abroad tonight,” he said as though it was an explanation for why he’d brought me indoors.

They were undeniably dangerous—the reason every inhabitant of Albion, Elfhame, and Cestyll Caradoc made sure to be indoors before sunset on the new moon. If they caught sight of you, they would hunt you to the ends of the earth until they had your soul. The stories differed on what exactly they would do with it, but on one thing they all agreed—it was a fate worse than death.

However, the sun wouldn’t set for hours—otherwise, Cyrus would be readying himself for Sleep. The Wild Hunt were nothing more than an excuse.

I hid my sinking feeling behind a deferential sound as I realised he just wanted me away from my friends.

“How are you faring?” He pinched my chin and raised it, peering at my throat.

I noted he only risked that skin-to-skin contact after checking the iron bracelet was in place.

Finger-shaped bruises lingered on my neck. I had chosen not to hide them with make-up to remind him that I’d been the victim acting out of self-defence.

Yet, he hadn’t summoned me to his suite since.

“Still a little shaken. I wake up from nightmares thinking he’s found me again.” Not a lie.

Cyrus made a thoughtful sound. “And have you forgiven me for the traitor’s execution?”

I stilled, chin still raised though it was no longer in his grip. Lies coated my tongue, ready to appease him, but I couldn’t voice a single one.

“Do you at least understand why I couldn’t let him live?”

I swallowed down the unspoken lies and chose truth instead. “I can’t say I do.”

“Perhaps that’s the difference between humans and fae.” But he gave me an odd smile—more a twist of the mouth.

As he steered me towards some seating near the floor to ceiling windows, a number of his inner circle gravitated around us. He took the chaise longue, making me perch at the end with his feet in my lap. Talk soon turned to the finale of his month of celebrations—tomorrow’s masquerade ball. Thank the gods it was almost over.

“But why does it have to be a masquerade?” one asked with a sigh.

“Because, all the most interesting things happen at masquerades,” he said with a smirk, throwing me a sidelong look that made my stomach dip.

He couldn’t know that was when we’d planned to meet with Krae. I had to fight to keep from fidgeting as the conversation went on, but that look had me on edge. He had something else planned, no doubt something to aggrandise himself even further. The unveiling of a gold statue, perhaps.

A while later, he left me, searching for something interesting to smoke with a group of friends. The rest of them drifted away once he’d gone, leaving me alone.

Checking the time, I realised I could still make my meeting with Bastian only a little late. I plotted an indirect route outside, as though I was merely wandering and the doors happened to be right there.

Just as my grip closed on the handle, Cyrus’s voice came from right behind me. “And where would you be doing in such a rush?”

“A rush?” I chuckled. “I just wanted some fresh air, that’s all.”

Like clockwork, Sepher and Zita appeared with an invitation to play cards. “Or are you afraid I’ll beat you?” Sepher asked with challenge in his eyes.

Of course, Cyrus took the bait, and as they sauntered away, Zita winked over her shoulder at me.

Allies. I mouthed a “thank you” before she turned away.

But when I turned for the door, Amandine blocked my way. “His Majesty’s orders.” For once, she looked apologetic about it, sucking in her lips, but I could’ve screamed with frustration.

I tried again later, but I couldn’t escape. Instead I had to stay inside and watch the minutes tick by as I missed my rendezvous with Bastian. After that, the hours dragged on. Outside, I could see Dusk fae mingle with Dawn. My friends were right there. Bastian had reappeared, realising I wasn’t going to show. They were all so close, just the other side of the glass.

By that time, Cyrus had disappeared and I was past keeping up appearances, so I left even though it was long before sunset.

Amandine shadowed as I stomped through the corridors, nursing my frustration. A trio of guards joined us and took up station either side of the entrance to my suite. Four guards. Twice as many as before.

“I must be important to require so much security.” I scoffed as I opened the door. “Next you’ll be in my bloody bed.”

Their laughter followed me into the darkened suite, and I slammed the door on it.

As the movement from that settled, I still sensed something in the windowless antechamber. Not quite movement. Not quite a foot shuffling—no, fae were too silent for that. But a presence that was not my own.

I turned, ready to flee, and a shadow loomed over me.