Page 13 of A Traitor Sister (Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom #2)

13

LIDIANE

I don’t know how Tarlia can stand that creepy old man trying to fix the way she looks. He came here after she ate, and now he’s applying something on her skin. At least this time he let me stay, but the procedure is boring. I feel like changing the tone of her skin or giving her dark circles just to mess with him, but then he would spend even more time treating her.

This is a reminder that my glamours can change the way someone looks, but can’t change what they are. The texture of their skin and hair will still be the same. At least I’m sure my glamour is incredible, if her master has been looking at her from so close and has not yet realized she’s not Astra, even though her skin is drier.

Tarlia thinks he can’t see it because it’s not something he expects, therefore not among the possibilities he would consider. Still, I’m pretty sure he’s more than capable of differentiating the two of them, and I don’t think he would have been duped without my glamour. Sometimes, when I see my magic working like that, I get a thrill of excitement, a wave of anticipation just wondering about the possibilities, wondering how much I could do. Well, I’m here now, closer to Renel than Marlak has ever gotten in the last years—and I hope we find a way to bring down this false king.

When Otavio leaves, Tarlia takes a deep breath, sits on her bed, then lies down, as if exhausted.

I sit by her. “Was your life like that?”

“With Otavio testing beauty procedures on me? A little. We also trained.” She frowns. “I do miss that.”

“I mean not complaining. You’re going to spend a few hours in this room with nothing to do, and you didn’t say anything.”

She sits and whispers, “I think Astra wouldn’t complain. I think it was her way of coping; believing in him, trusting that he’d lead her to some greater good, greater goal, trusting that her sacrifices would one day be worthwhile. So she obeyed him without complaining.”

Her description is odd. “Astra didn’t strike me as a pushover.”

“I didn’t mean that. I just think she would avoid direct confrontation, which is smart, by the way. I was always the most… difficult, he claimed. So I’m trying not to make him suspicious.”

Someone knocks on the door, and we look at each other. I get up. “I think it’s my job to open it.”

Tarlia gets up too. “I don’t want you doing any job.” She then rushes to the door and opens it. I can’t see who’s there, but I notice her posture stiffening. “Yes?”

It’s someone who has a lovely scent of seaweed. I don’t know why I’m thinking seaweed smells good. I hate the sea.

The voice coming from the hallway shakes me to my bones. “I need to see your lady-in-waiting.” It’s Azur, and the seaweed smell is gone. He’s wearing a black hat, like last time.

I knew he was going to demand a price for letting me stay in the castle. I knew it.

Tarlia dips her chin. “I’m sorry. She’s busy.”

“One minute. I need just one minute of her time, and if she wants to give me more, then it’s up to her.”

Give him more… He’s so pretentious. Still, if I don’t talk to him, he’ll make everything worse. I add a slight glamour to make my face ugly—just in case—and approach the door. “How can I help you?”

He raises a finger. “One minute. I just want to ask a question.”

A question can hide an infinite number of tricks and traps, but I can’t say I won’t talk to him.

Tarlia smiles. “You can ask your question here.” She points at me. “We became friends—and have no secrets.”

He raises an eyebrow. “That’s great to hear, but this secret’s mine, not hers.” He turns to me. “In my room. One minute.”

I hate this, but what’s going to happen if I refuse his request?

“It’s fine,” I tell Tarlia. “I’ll be right back.”

“No.” She smiles again. “I’ll walk outside, then count to one hundred slowly and return. That should be more than enough. Ask your question here.”

With that, she walks past him and closes the door.

I’m sure he’ll open it again and tell her that his request doesn’t work like that, but instead, he walks to the window, so that he’s far from the door, and beckons to me. He’s wearing a long-sleeved blue linen shirt, his black hat, and leather trousers, in a practical look, with no embroidery or details. The only strange part of his attire is the hat.

I approach him cautiously. When I’m three steps away from him, he whispers, “This is going to sound strange, but remember I can’t lie. Five lower fae are in the cells of the Inquiry House in the Jewel City, and have been sentenced to death, even though they committed no crime. They are set to be executed tonight. To prevent that, I need to free them. I can see that you’re good with glamours, and I’d like you to come with me.”

This is quite confusing, but I try to be fast and ask everything at once. “Why would you care for any lower fae? How do you expect to breach a well-secured royal facility? Do you realize I’m not allowed to set foot in the Jewel City?”

“Your first question is too complex for me to answer right now, but in general, I don’t appreciate pointless deaths. I have a plan to infiltrate the Inquiry House, but I’ll need glamours. We won’t use the gates to get there, so nobody will check whether you’re stepping in that city or not. And you’ll be using a glamour.”

“Is this a trick? A plan to catch me or catch somebody else?”

Azur hesitates. Ha. Of course he does.

He inhales sharply.“I’ll have to trick the guards, so yes, it’s a trick, but my goal is for you to return here safely by nightfall. You can keep working in the castle as the visitor’s lady-in-waiting, if that’s what you wish. I don’t want you to be arrested, hurt, or killed, and I trust that our combined magic will keep us safe. If things go wrong, I still have power, influence, and Renel’s protection. I won’t say this will be a mission without any risks, but I can assure you that they’re minimal.”

“Why do you think I would care for some fae I’ve never met?”

He glances at my hands, which are unglamoured, the webbing between fingers visible. “You’re lower fae.”

“So what? Many of my kind will gladly sell even their own family under the illusion that the higher fae will accept them as one of their own.”

Having to speak and think fast made me too honest. Well, what’s said is said.

Azur gives me the most bizarre smile I’ve ever seen. It’s not bizarre because it’s strange or fake. It’s bizarre because, in anyone else, I’d find a smile of understanding, admiration even, but that cannot be the case here.

The door then opens, and Tarlia walks in. “Your minute’s up.”

He glances at her, then stares at me. “What do you think? This will need to remain a secret.”

And yet he didn’t even make me promise not to tell anything. I could spill it all to Tarlia right now. And then again, he knows I’m an intruder. At any moment, he could use this information against me.

I turn to Tarlia. “Two more minutes. Please.”

She frowns but walks out, and I turn to him.

“I can go with you, but I want a deal.”

“What do you propose?”

“You won’t tell anyone I don’t belong in the castle.”

He tosses his hair back. “Haven’t I been doing that already?”

“Give me your word.”

“I can’t do that. If Renel asks, and depending on how he asks, I can’t deny him an answer. That’s why I don’t want to know your name or anything about you. Do not tell me anything that could compromise you.”

That… makes sense, I guess. “Fair, then. Promise you won’t reveal that I’m an intruder to anyone other than Renel, and that you’ll reveal it to him only if he asks.”

Azur takes a deep breath. “If you threaten Renel’s life or do anything that goes against his orders, I might have to tell him.”

“Fine. Other than that, you won’t tell anyone else.”

“I won’t. I wasn’t going to.”

“But now you’re demanding your price.”

He bows. “I’m asking. Not demanding.”

“Why me?”

“You’re good with glamours.”

“You said my glamour wasn’t working.”

“I could still see your talent. Your magic is impressive.”

I agree it’s impressive, perhaps even more than he realizes, and yet so much of this could be a trap. He could be testing how far my magic goes, could be trying to earn my trust… So many possibilities. I decide to ask another question, just to check his intentions. “If I don’t go, what will happen to the men sentenced to death?”

“Foresight is not among my magical abilities, unfortunately, but I’ll try to free them from the prison before they’re executed—even if you don’t come. And I still won’t tell anyone about you.”

“Don’t you fear getting caught?”

“I trust that my magic will prevent that.”

“So you can go without me, and the men will still be freed.”

He looks up for a second, then says, “Yes, but I’d rather go with you. A strong glamour will make my job easier and improve my chances of success. It will increase their chance of survival.”

I ask, “Why these fae? Lower fae are enchanted and enslaved every day.”

“Because I’m in a position where I can do something.”

Had I been some two years younger, still na?ve and pure-hearted, I would follow him even to the fiery gorge if he asked me with those lovely blue eyes staring at me like that.

Now, I’m just curious to understand why he’s doing this. I don’t believe for a single second that he’s some kind of vigilante gallantly saving lower fae, and I’m not even sure I believe he needs me. Well, technically, he does not need me.

But curiosity has a way of grabbing one’s mind, taking over the parts where fear and caution should exist. And I’m curious. Way too curious.

I smile at him. “I’ll go with you.”

He returns the smile, looking genuinely happy, then gets serious again. “Let’s go then. We need to hurry.”

“I’ll need to explain it to the human girl.”

“So you’re getting along?”

“Yes. I’m happy here.”

He gives me an odd look, then walks to the door and opens it.

Tarlia stumbles forward, likely because she was leaning on the door.

Azur doesn’t wait for me to talk to her, and says, “I’ll need your lady in waiting for a few hours. She’ll return—unharmed. You have access to other servants if you need them. Just ask your guard.”

Tarlia looks at me and then at him. “No. I need her .”

Azur smirks. “Unfortunately, it’s not up to you to decide.”

He sounds so smug and scornful that I almost regret my decision, if it wasn’t for the curiosity pulsing in my veins.

I turn to her. “It’s fine. Really. No need to worry.”

She widens her eyes at me, then I approach her, hug her, and whisper in her ear, “I’ll explain later, but know that I’m not being forced or coerced into doing anything.” Then, in an even lower voice, I add, “The glamour will hold.”

“All right. Be careful,” she whispers back.

Azur watches us with attentive eyes—perhaps realizing I already knew her.

Maybe he already noticed that, and might even think I’ve known her for much longer, under the impression she’s Astra. Then why did he put me here with her? What is his goal?

I hope I’m about to find out.

ASTRA

S o much happened in so little time that I could barely get my bearings, find myself again, and it’s already time to go home.

Home—the place I missed so much. And then perhaps what I missed most was Marlak, and I’ll still miss him for a few days. My heart is tight with worry and yet full of gratitude. I’m happy he’ll finally free his sister, and happy he escaped that prison.

Nelsin left Ziven by the river and returned to take me back to the island, while Ferer went ahead to wait for us there.

I don’t have anything other than the clothes in my body, so this trip will be light—and fast.

Nelsin points to a place in the kitchen, which I suppose is an invisible faerie circle.

“Ready?” he asks.

Not really. Inside me, there’s a strange hollowness. I want to ignore it, but it’s as if it keeps growing. This is ridiculous. I’ve lived my entire life without Marlak; I can’t let his absence make me feel this way.

And yet I can’t change the way I feel.

I smile at Nelsin. “Can’t wait to go home.”

He stares at me. “Are you sure? We could wait here if you want.”

“I need to work on my magic, and it’s safer on the island.”

“Oh, there will be an eternity?—”

“There won’t.” I don’t know where my certitude comes from, but I can feel it, something pressing against me, a strange urgency propelling me, even if it’s not propelling me to return to the island, for some odd reason. “I need my magic yesterday, but that’s not possible, so let’s try to get it today.”

Nelsin takes a deep breath, his usual playful face serious for once. “Astra, these things take time.”

“So let’s not waste it. Let’s go.”

The moment I say that, I feel as if air magic surrounds me. I know it’s not air—Nelsin’s magic is water, and yet it feels like a whirlwind turning everything around me blurry.

When it stops, I no longer see Nelsin in front of me, and I’m not by the Queen’s River; I’m indoors, in a huge ballroom with an elaborate staircase and ornate windows. For a second, I feel Marlak behind me, his presence grounding me, making me feel at ease—but then he’s gone.

It’s the Amethyst Palace, I know it is, but it’s wrong. The floor is covered with glass shards, and I don’t see the balcony I usually see. Something about this place makes my skin crawl—and then, behind me, I hear a hiss. My spine feels covered in ice, a chill spreading throughout my body, and it’s not Marlak’s pleasant magic, but something wrong, unnatural, corrupted.

My entire body feels stiff, unable to move, and yet I need to see what’s making that sound, need to turn and look, even if my eyes want to close.

The glass behind me cracks as something slithers in my direction. I don’t want to turn.

I have to turn. My heart is beating loud and fast, loud and fast, while I’m here, overcome with a strange terror paralyzing me. No, I won’t be caught defenseless.

I turn—and see light.

Near me, water flows, wind blows on leaves, and birds sing. There’s something rough but pleasant touching my back.

“Astra,” a familiar voice calls, a voice I trust.

The light is the sun above me, and I’m lying down on dirt. Nelsin’s looking at me, calling my name.

“What happened?” I ask, still spooked by what I saw in the Amethyst Palace, but also puzzled and disoriented.

“You fell,” Nelsin says. “I caught you—but just barely.”

I sit and notice we’re on the riverbank by our island. Almost home. While I feel safe here, that hiss, that presence, that feeling that something was wrong, takes over my thoughts. Many questions cross my mind, but I decide it’s better to ask them where I know I’ll be safe.

I get up. “I’m better now. Shall we cross?”

Nelsin stares at me, then says, “I’ll hold you, then.”

“Sure.” While I don’t think it will be necessary, I don’t want to protest.

He lifts some of the river water, then freezes it in a disk, much larger than the one he did last time we crossed the river. I’m guessing he’s truly afraid I’ll fall. We step on it, he places an arm around my waist, then we glide to the island.

I wish my heart were fuller when stepping here, wish I were happy to finally be home and wait for Marlak and his sister, but the uneasiness inside me won’t let me enjoy this moment, enjoy this return to the place I sorely missed.

“Everything looks the same,” I say as I step off the disk and back onto the firm soil of the island. I’m trying to make some random conversation because I want some levity before I can even dare to bring up what I saw.

“Well, trees don’t grow that fast, and it’s still summer. It might start to get cool at night, though.”

Cool—and with no fire. I ask, “How cold does it get here in winter?”

“A little uncomfortable, but we’re not there yet.”

I nod, realizing we’ll probably have to leave this house soon regardless, which makes me sad. Still, seeing the stone walls of the buildings lights my heart again.

We walk into the kitchen, and Ferer comes out of the hallway. “Everything all right?”

“Yes,” Nelsin says.

“No,” I add, and the two knights stare at me with wide eyes. “I need to ask you some questions. Do you have a moment?”

Nelsin spreads his arms. “All the time in the world for my lady.”

I chuckle, and Ferer rolls his eyes.

“Let’s sit.” I point at a table and pull a chair.

They do as I say, and Ferer has his observant eyes focused on me. “What is it?”

I sigh. “First, before anything, I want to commend you two on working together.”

Ferer taps his nails on the table. “It’s not like we have a choice.”

“But you can leave, right? If you want.” I need to make sure they’re not forced to be here.

“It would be dishonorable,” Ferer says, then shrugs. “But possible, sure. When I say no choice, I mean the company I have to keep.” He glances at Nelsin.

The cat-eared fae raises his hands. “I, on the other hand, love everyone around me. Love makes the world a pretty place.”

Ferer shakes his head and looks up, and I decide to go straight to the point.

“All right. Are visions common when you go from one faerie circle to another? When you travel like I did?”

“What kind of visions?” Nelsin leans forward.

“It’s a place. I know it exists.” Terror crawls my skin as I recall that moment. “But there was something wrong with it, as if something… evil was taking hold of it. I saw it now, when we came here.”

Nelsin strokes his chin. “Perhaps when you passed out you had a vision, but it’s not common.”

“But I see things,” I say. “Sometimes, often in dreams. Anyway, there’s this old castle, called the Amethyst Palace. Have you ever heard of it?”

Ferer narrows his eyes. “Too many small courts ended or were merged. There are abandoned palaces all throughout the continent, but I’ve never heard of this name.”

“Me neither,” Nelsin says. “But it’s true that it could be anywhere.”

I recall the castle at the Court of Bees. That wasn’t anything like the palace in my dreams, and there was something different… I know. “I don’t think it’s a fae palace, but Tiurian.” I recall Otavio’s reaction, and how he believed I had read about it in a book about Tiuris. “I mean, I’m sure it is.”

Ferer looks up, thinking. “Tiurians had some sanctuaries, usually underground. We don’t know where all of them are.”

“It’s not an underground sanctuary. I’ve been to one and seen another in a dream. The architecture is different. Regardless, I just felt something horrific in this castle, the Amethyst Palace. I think it was a warning.”

“Against what?”

“I don’t know, but I need to find this castle.”

Nelsin nods. “We’ll help you. We can bring all the books on Tiuris we can find, and we can read them with you. We’ll find it, Astra.”

But it’s not fae books that I need. The realization hits me like lightning. “I already know where I can find more information about it.” I stare at them both. “What I need from you is just to help me get there.”

They glance at each other. In a moment like that, I can see a sliver of their love piercing through, the type of love that lets them communicate without words. It’s there, despite everything.

Ferer nods. “Sure. Let’s plan, and once Marlak is back?—”

“I’m afraid it cannot wait.”

Their mutual glance is heavier now.

Nelsin lifts two fingers in the air. “Two, three days, Astra. We can start planning, preparing. Remember that you still need to work on your magic.”

“Improving my magic could take a month, two months, perhaps a year, or even more. Five years is not a long time to learn magic, but one day waiting might be too much.”

“Rushing into things is never a good idea, Astra.” Ferer speaks slowly, as if to calm me down. “We can plan, and you wait for Marlak to return. His magic is much stronger and?—”

“Not on the other side of the River of Tears,” I say. “Now, to be clear, I’m not asking for authorization to leave; I’m asking for help, but you’re free to say no , obviously.”

Ferer frowns. “We’re not saying no .”

“Right, so let me explain. I need to go to my master’s study. I know how to climb the castle walls to get there. He’ll have more information about Tiurians, about me, and I’m sure he’ll know whatever there is to know about this Amethyst Palace. After I do that, it will be easier to find it. You don’t need to come, but you could take me to the edge of the River of Tears, at least, so my journey is faster. It’s all I’m asking.”

Nelsin grimaces. “Marlak will geld us if something happens to you.”

“He won’t,” I say. “Now wait, this is actually important. Did he order you two to keep me here as a prisoner ?” If yes, then I might have to strangle Marlak.

“No!” Nelsin’s grimace is worse than before. “From the beginning, we could have taken you off the island if we deemed it important.”

Ferer gives him a murderous glare. “A suggestion someone abused .”

“Hey, mistakes happen.” Nelsin turns to me, his eyes pleading. “But I don’t want to repeat it. Wait for Marlak, please.”

“Fair.” I exhale. “I don’t want you to get in trouble. I’ll wait.” Of course I won’t, but there’s no winning this argument, and in reality, it might be better not to implicate them.

Nelsin smiles. “Wise decision, my lady. And we’ll plan.”

Ferer chuckles. “She’s lying.”

I frown, slightly surprised. “How do you know?”

“I observe more than I talk, unlike some people.” He glances at Nelsin, then at me. “You want to go to the human kingdom, I’ll come with you. That’s much better than you venturing there on your own. It’s hasty, but if you say it’s important, we’ll believe you.”

I smile.

“I’ll come too,” Nelsin adds, looking like he just bit a rotten apple. “Even though I’m dreading it.”

“Let’s get ready, then.” I get up. “And don’t worry. I’ll deal with my husband.”

The man in my dreams would never want me to stay hidden in a house or on an island, ignoring such a strong vision, such a strong urge. The issue is whether Marlak is really that man.

Nelsin has a nervous laugh. “Then make sure you stay alive to deal with him.”

Ferer huffs. “She’s not going to die visiting the castle she knows like the palm of her hand.”

Of course not. I won’t die visiting the Krastel castle—at least I don’t think so.

As to that other castle, the one that plagues my dreams, when I consider the creature I sensed in it, I’m not so sure.