Page 57 of King of Storms and Feathers

Leaf

“Swallow it,” Ari said as I turned my head toward the sun’s glare, away from the vial of gold serum she held in front of me.

“Why? I’m beginning to think you know it has no effect on me. I’ve stopped pretending that it does. So what’s the point?”

“Swallow, and I will explain.”

Rolling my eyes at the bright azure sky visible through the pavilion’s columns, I tipped my head back and drank the vial’s contents.

Each morning, the Sayeeda and I repeated this exact scene. I refused the serum, and she insisted I take it, but this was the first time she’d offered to explain the reason behind the routine.

Smiling, she sat back on her haunches. “I needed you to ingest the gold for a long enough period to be certain.”

“Of what?”

“I will tell you everything when it is safe to do so. Plans must be made first. At least now, we can dispense with the farce of topping up the serum in your bracelet. You are right; it has no effect on you.”

“Ari! When what will be safe? And what plans are you talking about? Please don’t leave me in suspense.”

“For your safety, I must.” She fastened the chain between my ankle cuffs and stood, handing me a gold tunic. “Put this on. Esen will be here any moment.”

“Esen?” My heart thudded against my ribs. “Why? I certainly didn’t invite her. Can’t you get rid of her?”

“King Arrowyn wants you to visit the gold foundry with her, and also Raiden and Ildri. It will be a chance for you to satisfy your troublesome curiosity. Those are the king’s words, not mine.”

Speechless, I blinked at her. It was an incredible opportunity to scout for exit routes from the city. I only wished the sour-faced, blue-haired demon wasn’t coming. And Raiden’s mother—that was odd. Why would the elegant Ildri be joining such an unusual excursion?

As I slid the tunic over my head, Ari said, “Be nice to Ildri, won’t you? She is a particular friend of mine and may one day prove helpful to you.”

I took a breath to ask what she meant, but swallowed my words as Esen strode through the sitting room, scowling as she greeted Ari with a brisk good morning. Clearly, she wasn’t happy about spending the day with me either, and there was some satisfaction in that, at least.

We took the elevator down to the ground floor of the palace, Esen silent, staring straight ahead with her hand on the hilt of one of her many swords, ready to thrust it through my heart at the slightest provocation.

Outside the large stable complex, a coach waited, the doors emblazoned with Coridon’s royal insignia—a coat of arms with two lightning bolts on a background of floating feathers. Raiden, dressed in his usual soldier’s garb, and Ildri, wearing a green and gold gown more suited to a feast than a foundry visit, were already seated inside it.

Ildri smiled as I settled into the plush cushions opposite her, and her son, sitting beside her, skimmed a dark gaze over me.

Forcing a grim smile, he said, “Leaf, are you looking forward to viewing our city’s famous foundry?”

“I am. The view from the king’s dome has grown boring. I’m curious to see more of Coridon from the ground.”

Both Ildri and Raiden looked away, as if embarrassed by the reminder of my status as the king’s personal slave.

“What was your home like?” Ildri asked in a gentle voice, fixing me with her violet gaze.

I shrugged. “I don’t really remember. But I often dream about a forest that I believe is located in the Earth Realm. I have a family waiting for me there. I’m sure of it.”

Ildri’s bejeweled fingers patted my hand. “I hope you can return to them one day, Leaf.”

Raiden glared at her, as if in shock. Well, that made two of us who were surprised by his mother’s words. I’d never expected to hear expressions of sympathy from a high fae of the Storm Court.

Esen pulled a parcel from her satchel, unwrapping it to reveal a pile of small cakes glistening with honey. As the carriage jolted into motion, the fae began munching on them, moaning and raising their brows in delight at the apparently delicious flavors.

“Aren’t you going to offer one to Leaf, Esen?” Ildri asked.

“When I’ve had my fill, I might consider it,” she replied.

I wouldn’t be holding my breath waiting for that to happen.

---