Page 154 of I Dream of Dragons

Wewillget through the third trial together, as we did the other two, but everything is different now. The sea queen is angry with me. She wants Jai dead, and probably me, too. As if the monsters of the sea aren’t bad enough… and without my magic, I’m almost as useless in the water as a human.

And Jai is hurt. Not being with him, the thought of having to spend the evening with the snake of a king, won’t let me breathe.

I need to find Jai. Make sure he’s okay. But how? The king has threatened to force me to his side. Unless…

Remi. I need a distraction.

A moment later, his voice brushes my mind. “Your favorite jester is here. What exactly do you need?”

Can you create a commotion that will draw the king’s attention? A prolonged commotion, if possible.

“What are you up to?”

None of your business.

“Does it involve tall, dark and moody?”

I snort.Remi, behave.

“Ah, but then how would I create trouble and commotion, as you requested?”

Hope flares.So… can you do it?

“Anything for you, Aethry.”A note of fondness.“I’ll lead the darakin in a massive attack against the palace.”

What? No, wait. Don’t put yourself in danger!

“Joking. It will be a small attack. Some seagulls may also be involved. Take care.”

Breathless, caught between laughter and fear, I gather my skirts and get up. I walk to the window, my heart thudding unevenly. Will this work?

My hair is loose, since Daria fled without dressing it and I had no idea what to do with it, or any desire to make myself pretty. My shoes are the low-heeled, sensible ones I found with my robe—not the dangerous-looking high-heeled contraptions that were obviously made to go with the gown.

I’m ready and yet I’m tired of the king’s mind games.

A knock comes to the door and I go to open it. Two guards are waiting outside,

“We are here to escort you to the king’s apartments.” A pause. “If you please.”

Time presses against me once more, loops around my neck like a noose, way too short.

“Let me check my hair,” I say, hiding the tremor in my voice and before they can refuse, I hurry back inside, casting about for something I could use as a weapon if the king touches me.

If I could end him tonight… I hesitated way too long with the wool over my eyes. But the room yields nothing I could hide on my person.

“My lady.” One of the guards clear his throat. “Shall we?”

I follow them without a word, the heavy fabric of the gown dragging on the floor, the heavy thoughts weighing my shoulders. We walk through the palace, marching past whispering, staring fae. They don’t snigger anymore, they don’t laugh and point, but just… stare.

I wouldn’t know why, except as I turn my head, I catch a glimpse of black moths fluttering about my shoulders.

Remi. Any news?

He doesn’t reply. But shouts from further ahead reach us a moment later. The fae aristocrats glance about, frowning.

My guards stop. “My lady, wait here. Let us check ahead, see what the matter is.”

“Of course.”