Page 94 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

She frowned. “You’re sneaking out.”

I nodded.

“To do something really, really stupid.”

I didn’t argue with her.

She sighed, her whole body looking as if she’d just surrendered. “I’ll give you until sunrise. But if you’re not back, what do you want me to tell them?”

“If I’m not back by sunrise, and the Fae King still attacks, tell them I’m sorry I failed,” I said.

“Fuck, Ara. You know you don’t always have to be the one who does everything for everyone else.” She stepped closer to me. “Do you need help? Want me to come along?”

I almost laughed. She looked genuine, but there was a bit of fear I caught in her eyes. As if she was concerned I might take her up on her offer. “I need to do this, alright?”

She moved closer, then gave me a hug. I wrapped my arms around her. “I will try to come back.”

“I know.” She stepped back. “Good luck.”

I smiled, then walked to the back door, not letting myself look back. As soon as I was through, I blew out a long breath. I trusted that she’d keep quiet about seeing me, but it was possible that Ryvin could wake any minute. I needed to get as far from here as I could before that happened.

Quickly, I checked that the pouch was still attached to the cord around my neck. I could feel the object inside it. Itwas a small, round ball, but I still had no idea what it was or how it could help me.

The gardens and grounds were full of people. Some were in tents, others were sharing blankets spread on the earth. A few guards mingled, and I even saw a couple of citizens walking around. Nobody seemed to care that I was walking toward the shield. I suppose after watching it keep the fae out today, there wasn’t much risk in anyone going in or out. It would be suicide to leave if the shield was guarded by any fae.

I stopped right at the point where I could feel the magic, and after a quick backward glance at the palace, I called Ryvin’s shadows. Breathing steadily, I summoned them around me like a cloak of darkness. Shielding me from view the way we’d done when we arrived in Drakous. I could have used this to get out of the palace, but I’d never tried it before and wasn’t sure how long I could hold the shadows.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I stepped through the invisible barrier, sucking in a breath from the icy cold, before emerging on the other side.

My pulse raced as I walked down the road toward town. I expected to encounter fae soldiers at every step, but the roads were silent.

Once I reached the city, I scanned for any signs of movement. Buildings were destroyed everywhere I turned. Doors torn from hinges, roofs caved in, the contents of shops and homes tossed into the streets. My chest tightenedas I took in the destruction. We’d have a lot to rebuild once the fae left our shores.

I could feel my hold on the shadows fading, so I released them and kept to the natural shadows as I crept through the city. I’d need them again to get into the camp and didn’t want to waste them all now.

Laughter sounded and I darted through a doorway, moving quickly to the side so I was hidden from view. I peered around the edge of the doorframe, catching sight of a small patrol of six fae. They were talking and laughing as they walked up the street. One of them was throwing something into the air and catching it repeatedly as they walked. Another was smoking something, blowing out perfectly formed rings.

They had to be the most unbothered, casual patrol I’d ever seen. They were either off duty and exploring the ruins of Athos, or they were certain they had nothing to watch for. A smile tugged on my lips. That would work to my advantage. If all the fae were this relaxed, there was no way I’d be caught sneaking into their camp.

As soon as I couldn't hear their voices anymore I continued along, meeting no other guards or soldiers as I crept through the silent city. The last few times I had walked through here I had felt the desolation and sadness. I didn't think it could get any worse, but I was going through a defeated city. A place that no longer resembled the home I remembered. My people deserved better. They deserved happiness and peace and a chance to truly thrive.

I tried to keep those thoughts at the forefront of mymind as I stared down at the beach. My chest tightened and I could feel the blood draining from my face as I stared at a thousand tents squashed together, spread across the sand. They had taken over, claiming the space as theirs.

I could hear the crash of the waves and I wondered if I could call to them and have them rise up and pull the entire camp back into the sea. Something told me that wouldn't be enough. There were thousands more fae in Drakous and I knew that to end this, we had to eliminate the king.

It took several tries to find that dark spot inside where my magic resided. I had to shut down the fear and that part of me that was warning me to turn back. Finally, I regained a sense of calm, shutting everything else out the way as I had done in the past. I had to turn it all off. All the fear, all the love. I settled into numb indifference and the shadows came. They swirled around me like an old friend, familiar and comforting. Almost as if Ryvin were here with me, guiding me through what I needed to do.

I kept my mind clear as my feet touched the sand, abandoning my sandals after only a few steps. I buried them, hoping that no one would find them before I revealed myself.

The camp was alive. Soldiers sat around bonfires laughing and drinking fae wine. Others were going in and out of tents or stumbling around, clearly already several glasses of wine into their revelry. The camp had an air of celebration, even though they would return to battle in themorning. It was as if they were already counting their victory. That drew a flicker of anger that made my shadows tremble. I shoved it away, working to keep my emotions at bay so that I could maintain absolute control.

I knew the king would likely be protected by guards and that he’d be in the largest and grandest tent. The camp was massive, but I had a feeling he wouldn't risk being too close to the sea. I walked toward what felt like the middle of the mass of tents and began to look for signs that might point me toward the Fae King's tent.

From here, it was difficult to tell any differences or direction at all. All the tents looked the same, but there was less activity here than there had been on the outskirts of the encampment. It was quieter, and I took that as a good sign.

Instead of walking toward the sounds of guards playing games of chance, or telling lewd tales around campfires, I walked toward the silence.

As I continued along, there were fewer guards walking around and no signs of amusement or activities. My heart pounded so loudly I was worried someone else might hear it. Every hair was on edge and a trickle of cold ran down my spine. My instincts were telling me to turn and run. I had to be close.

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