Page 24 of The Crown of a Fallen Queen (Curse of the Fae #4)
“The city was considered a strategic hub—being so close to Wintermere and exposed to a sea attack. My father needed a way to reach it quickly, so he used his influence over the previous Shadow King and got him to build an obsidian passage.”
Damian shakes his head. “All obsidian passages are listed in the Shadowlands archives.”
I’m only too glad to be the one to tell him his precious archives are not foolproof. “Not this one, and it emerges directly in the Storm King’s study.”
Elio’s eyes widen. “So breaking into Deiltine could lead us directly to Luther’s chambers?”
I flash my audience a confident grin. “New recruits arrive at the plant every week. I could pass for a technician and access the passage.”
My mother nods gently at me, the way you smile at a helpful kid—or a particularly bright dog. “Thank you, son. We will discuss this further and let you know our decision.”
Ethan Lightbringer cocks his head to the side, studying me like a bird of prey studies a mouse. “Wait a minute. Seth hasn’t yet told us what he wants in return? If he succeeds, what does he expect from us?”
You can always count on the most villainous man in the room to iron out the nitty gritty.
“I want Devi Eros to be pardoned. We’re engaged.”
The King of Light’s jaw sets in a hard line, his top lip curled up like I’m a worthless bum who just asked for his daughter's hand.
The horror on my mother’s face would bother me if I had any hope of ever making my last remaining parent proud, but that ship sailed long before I set my sights on the woman she hates the most.
Elio’s frown deepens, and the ice around the door melts. “Thank you, Seth. Please wait in the hall.” He shoos me out with a disgusted grimace.
A fresh wave of frost seals the room behind me as I exit, shutting me out and cutting off any chance of eavesdropping.
I pace the hallway, restless. The way my mother addressed me in front of everyone sits like an anchor in my gut.
No matter how hard I try, she never takes me seriously.
She didn’t take my betrothal to Devi seriously at first—just chalked it up to another act of rebellion. But I’m not a teenager anymore.
Luther’s words echo in my mind: Too dark for the Light crowd, and too much of an extrovert to keep to the shadows .
I should be a chameleon, able to move between both worlds with ease.
Instead, I’m a contradiction. Not a prince.
Not a commoner. Not even a proper bastard.
Just the afterthought of a scandal, with enough magic to matter, yet not enough to rule.
Well, I’m going to marry Devi Eros and inherit my mother’s crown, and when I do, they won’t be able to shut the door on me anymore.
Elio returns before I’ve settled my thoughts, his expression unreadable. He rubs ice off his neck like he’s dusting off fleas, looking more like the Elio I used to know. Keeping company of your enemies does that to a man. It freezes the heart.
“The seven crowns want you to infiltrate the Storm Court and serve as a go-between,” he announces. “It’s a dangerous gig. Being a messenger between two parties at war means getting caught in the middle.”
“A go-between?” I echo.
“Yes. And Devi will go with you,” he sighs. “You shared your intentions to marry. As much as that plan disgusts me, you’re both old enough to make your own decisions. If you succeed in your mission, you’ll be free to marry, and Devi will be granted a formal pardon.”
A weird itch weasels its way inside my chest. It’s too easy. By my count, three out of six royals were appalled by the mere thought of Devi coming back to Faerie as my fiancée.
“You got my mother to agree to that?” I say, my voice thick with disbelief.
Elio’s eyes narrow. “We got a majority, which is enough.”
“Who switched sides? You?”
The ice freckles on his neck gleam under the chandeliers, and despite his soothing tone, he won’t meet my gaze. “None of your business.”
“I could marry her without the crowns’ blessing. What are you not telling me?” I ask point-blank.
He opens his mouth to speak, but Mother steps out of the library with her arms crossed, her lips curled in that cruel way she wears so well.
“You couldn’t marry Devi without breaking the law. She’s still a traitor for now, my precious weed. With enough luck, spending time with her during this foolish mission will make you see how much of a manipulative cunt she really is.”
Elio flinches. “Be civil, Freya, or I’ll have the guards escort you to your room. Devi is now an agent of the seven crowns, whether you like it or not.”
“If you had any children, you’d understand.” Her gaze darts to me, and she clutches my arm. “She’s not for you, Sethanias. She’s only pretending?—”
Elio cuts her off. “Devi is not the kind of woman to marry a man she doesn’t respect. She’s not you, Freya.”
I gather my mother’s hands in mine and gently but firmly push her away. “I want a crown, Mother. Devi Eros can give me yours, and she happens to be the most clever and beautiful woman I’ve ever known,” I say, trying to appease her. I can’t have her trying to murder Devi again.
Elio’s fists clench at his sides, but he doesn’t say anything.
Mother fans herself dramatically. “Well, as long as you don’t forget—that woman is incapable of love.”
Something still doesn’t add up.
Am I really supposed to believe they’ve decided to spare my brother and the ringleader of the rebellion after one quick, closed-door meeting?
If they think I’m going to play the fool, they’re in for a rude awakening.
Something else is going on, and I won’t let them use me.
I’m going to figure out exactly what they plan to do, and why.
I may not have been born to rule. But I will be King.