Page 35 of Dark Fate

My mood sinks. I shake my head grimly, fresh worry for Rhyland threatening to override my full stomach.

"Still nothing but darkness. Something is blocking our connection," I say, fighting off worse possibilities.

Sensing my distress, Erik grasps my hand. "Have faith, Dani. If anyone can win free and return to you, it's my obstinate brother." Despite anxiety plaguing me, Erik's steadfast confidence provides much-needed silence. "It pleases me to see you replenishing your strength properly, Little Huntress. Today's training taxed even my skills."

I meet Erik's approval with a grateful smile. The soreness is already lessening thanks to good food, celestial-grade stamina, and looking ridiculously hot in leather. Small sacrifice if more intense workouts await!

Despite anxiety, Erik's confidence warms my chest. I go to run a hand through my hair and bump hard gold—still forgetting I'm rocking this fancy crown. My fingers trace the delicate metalwork, thoughts swirling back to my quest for the mythical fae stone.

Noticing my distraction, Faderyn gestures at the headdress. "Tell me more about this relic—the stone and its connection to your arrival here."

I take a fortifying gulp of honey wine—maybe getting drunk two nights in a row isn't smart.

"The Faerite stone is supposed to turn me into Doctor Doolittle meets Mother Nature. Gives me an edge with critters and greenery."

Faderyn looks intrigued, leaning forward. "And do you sense the Faerite's pull now, however faintly?"

I shake my head in frustration. "Nope, it's an enigma. I felt it briefly when we arrived, pulling me toward the white tower. But, the feeling shut off quickly as soon as Satan Jr. started his rampage."

Understanding widens his eyes. "The Ivory Tower marks what remains of the Sun Court's palace."

I nearly choke on my wine. "That's the Sun Court?"

"Was. Much lies abandoned. The Light King and his Radiant Queen only now hold court at the central citadel. The Sun Palace."

My pulse quickens as theories race. Erik voices my speculation. "Could the Faerite have rested within their stronghold all this time? And Dani's gifts sensed its proximity?"

I toss the idea around. "Think it's there? Can we check it out?"

Faderyn clears his throat, raining on my hopeful parade. "Recall relations between the Sun throne and outlier settlements like ours remain... complicated. Accessing the old palace uninvited would carry consequences."

My excitement fizzles out, deflating. I slump into the bench. "Great, just my luck," I mutter. "World's on the brink of doom, and I'm penciled in for tea with the royals."

Dragging my hands through my hair, I mull over these theories on where the Faerite stone could be moonlighting—like some cosmic paperweight in the Fae equivalent of Versailles.

I throw Faderyn a pointed look. "Okay, Captain Know-it-All, spill. If Queen Fancy's pad is where we're headed, there's gotta be a way in. Loose window latches? Servant's entrance? Hidden passages?"

Faderyn's mouth quirks with amusement. "You possess a unique manner of speech, My Lady. Regarding weaknesses..." His angular face grows thoughtful. "While I admire your daring, my friend, cooler heads should prevail." He suggests gently. "Approaching the Sun Court openly as honored guests may yield better results."

I quash the protest threatening to burst and concede to Faderyn's calm approach. He's got the savvy. Erik's on board, too, even if he's itching for action. We're rookies in this game of otherworldly chess.

I gulp a lungful of calm, sending the stress off on a little vacation, and dial back my inner troublemaker's tunes. "Alright, I'll play nice and sip some tea."

Erik's chuckle rumbles through the air, a sound that's got 'mischief' scribbled all over it. "Agreed. The covert option makes a fine contingency," he says, the corners of his mouth twitching with suppressed eagerness.

Oh, it's written all over him—he's got his fingers crossed for our first plan to tank. No question about it—the old-world vampire warrior’s got a hunger for a brawl with whatever lurks in the shadows, way more than schmoozing with the fae elite at some stuffy court affair!

Faderyn graciously inclines his head, relieved to circumvent my schemes. "Then we will embark on this hunch as soon as we deal with the Shadow Court."

I throwFaderyna sideways glance. "Hey, what's the scoop onAxilya?" The words roll off my tongue with a hint of mischief. She's a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, and I've got this itch to scratch beneath that composed exterior. Something tells me there's a whole lot more to MadamWhispervalethan meets the eye,

"It's… complicated," Faderyn says, taking a breath. "One I can't tell. That's her story. Let's say nothing is as it seems."

More riddles, but I drop it.

I finish my wine, set the glass down, and level a determined finger at Faderyn. "Come morning, I'm dragging Ax out of bed for updates on busting my guy out of Her Majesty's glorified prison. And you—" I wag my finger, "you're going to give me the lowdown on why she's got me playing dress-up like I'm the long-lost leather-clad, bondage-loving relative of Xena."

I gather my dishes, catching Erik and Faderyn poorly disguising glances at my leather ensemble.

---