Page 149 of Court of the Fae Princes

I’m surprised. I’ve seen a lot of fae magic, but nothing like this. The House of Death really must produce the most powerful of the fae.

“Is it strange that they’d do this?”

Lady Nova looks troubled. “Not now that we know what they’re doing to the princes. The question is, how do we reach them as quickly as possible?”

Well, that’s easy. “How about we set everything on fire and burn our way through?”

The princes need me. As soon as possible. I’m not letting a web of trees stand in my way.

She smirks. “I like the way you think, but you have to be more strategic. Setting this mess on fire would probably set the whole forest on fire. Not only will that then make the woods too dangerous to travel through, but that’s not the stealthy entrance we’re going for here.”

I should have thought of that. This whole forest would be engulfed in minutes, and who knows what they’d do to my guys then if they knew we were this close to reaching them. At the same time, should we even bother trying to be stealthy at this point?

“But they already know we’re coming since they sent the wolves after us. Right?”

“Yes, but she likely thought we were with a huge party. Not that we were alone.”

Right. Because why would two lone people decide they could rescue four princes on their own and take on the House of Death? They’d have to be crazy. Or maybe in love.

Well, one of us might just be in love, but the other? Crazy. I mentally shake myself. Focus.

My mind starts working. “So, they were expecting an army, right? Not two women on horseback. So chances are they didn’t weave this web of trees this tightly everywhere. Maybe we can find a way to slip through?”

Lady Nova draws back, considering me. “You know, Lady Cassia, you might just have the mind of a warrior after all.” She bucks her horse, and they head off the path and disappear into the trees, leaving me and my horse standing alone.

What the hell? Is she seriously leaving me behind?

I yank on my reins and head in the same direction she had, with a mixture of determination and annoyance. The wind blowing against my face actually feels amazing, even though it’s cold. It pulls me from my thoughts, focusing me on the present. These House of Death fae might think they’re big and bad with their powers, their deals, and their tangled woods, but I’m a hell of a lot badder. I mean, I learned to grow a plant a little, start a fire, and even let my fingers glow, which is really useful because, because… okay, I need to stop thinking, or I’ll get in my head about how shitty I am with my newfound powers.

I keep going, but the trees tangle tighter and tighter around me until there’s just enough room for my horse to get through. Horses are new to me, but even I can sense his unease. If this horse tries to get away, I have no idea how I’ll stop him, or how I’ll have any chance at finding Lady Nova.

“Everything’s okay. It’ll open up soon,” I whisper as I reach down to stroke my horse. She’s anxious, and I need her to keep going so we can find Lady Nova again. I carefully guide her over a fallen log and hold on tight as she has to slowly walk through a mass of creeping branches.

Am I even going the right way? I don’t know anymore.

A flash of Lady Nova’s white hair catches my eyes, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m not lost. I might not know what I’m doing, but Lady Nova does, and I’m back with her. I’m okay.

My horse struggles, snorting and huffing, but she keeps pushing forward until we catch up. Stopping behind Lady Nova, I wait for her to say something, but she doesn’t. She just stares at the tangled woods, so I do too. There appears to be multiple ways to possibly make it through. But which way will get us to the House of Death?

“Do you have an idea here?” Please let her have an idea.

“Maybe.” She frowns as she glances back at me. “Did your magic really just develop?”

I stiffen, unsure about what this has to do with anything. “Yeah, why?”

She takes a deep breath that shakes her whole frame. “Time for another lesson with your magic.”

“Now? Don’t we have better things to do?” I ask, gesturing to the woods.

“Trust me,” she says.

“But–”

“You’re going to need more than the abilities you have to survive what we’re up against.”

I hold my breath at the thought. Survival wasn’t a word I’d thought of at all. At least not my survival. I’ve been too worried about the princes.

“And me learning to use my magic is going to help us right now?”

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