Page 35 of A Court Bright and Broken

“I suppose not,” I said. “But still… I do wonder what it is I could possibly do for you at the ball.”

“I will give you that information when you need to know it,” she said. “Do we have a deal?”

My mind flashed to Alux and Nilsa, whose own deals with the Earthwife had become millstones around their necks—or in his case, crushed his neck entirely.

ButIwasn't asking to become rich. I wasn't asking to become famed throughout the land. The favor I had asked her for was simple–help my family survive.

Surely the favor she would require in return would be simple as well?

“Very well,” I said, “but how will I manage it? I doubt I'll be permitted entry, even with a golden invitation. I have no way of getting to the ball and nothing to wear. Even my good dress is stained and riddled with threadbare patches. Even if I could beg or borrow a nice dress, I have no hope of fitting in with Fae high society.”

“Oh don't worry about that,” Sorcha assured me. “You’ll be arrayed in the finest of Fae Court fashion. And you will have no trouble fitting in. You’ll be the belle of the ball in fact.”

She directed a meaningful glance toward a potted plant on her windowsill that had seen better days. Within seconds, the dried and wilted plant plumped up and regained its green color, fresh flower petals unfurling as if by magic.

On second thought, that was exactly what it was. Goosebumps rose on my skin. I’d never seen a magic spell happen in real time.

“I’ll cast a spell to alter your appearance,” the Earthwife said as if it was no big deal. “I’ll turn you into an Elven noblewoman so beautiful, the princes themselves won’t be able to resist you. Not only will the sentries at the doors allow you entry, they’ll be falling all over themselves to escort you inside and will probably beg you for a dance.”

At my wide-eyed reaction, she added, “Don’t worry. They’ll never know your real identity. And there will be so many attendees at the ball, it will be easy to blend in.”

Now I was really confused. And suspicious. Was I supposed to blend in or be irresistible?

And what did the King’s two sons have to do with any of this?

Did she intend for me to somehowseduceone of them? And do what—ask for their mercy for our village? Treasure for Sorcha herself?

There wasn’t a magical disguise in the world that could make methatalluring.

She must have read the skeptical look on my face.

“Don't worry child,” she said. “I know of your aversion to the pleasure houses, and I would not ask you to perform any such services, not even to get close to King Pontus and his wicked sons. You will simply attend the ball, eat all the delicious food you can hold, enjoy their incomparable Elven wine, and spend an evening looking and feeling like a princess.”

Walking over to the window, Sorcha plucked the newly bloomed flower, snapping its stem and bringing it over to the table to offer it to me.

“At some point during the evening,” she said, “I will get a message to you about the small task I need you to perform.”

I was getting a bad feeling about this. Why couldn’t she just tell menowwhat the task was? It seemed like important information.

What if she wanted me tostealsomething from the castle? A squirmy feeling of discomfort made me shift in my seat.

In spite of our impoverished state and living with constant hunger, I’d never resorted to thievery.

Besides, the Fae royal family would be there. The Randalins were deplorable, and I wanted nothing to do with them—or their delicious food and incomparable wine.

“As long as you do your part, I'll continue to do my part for your family,” the Earthwife said reasonably. “But I warn you… go back on this bargain, and the penalties will be severe.”

Cold shivers worked their way from the back of my neck to the bottom of my spine. Never agoodsign.

Rising from my chair I pushed it back under the table. “I thank you very much for your offer… but I think I must decline.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Sorcha said nothing.

My nerves were simmering now, and I moved quickly toward the door, speaking at double speed.

“And thank you for the delicious stew. I will be back when I have secured payment for Papa's medicine.”

I’d expected Sorcha to raise her voice or perhaps to say something cutting about how foolish I was. But when she spoke, the Earthwife did not seem angry or insulted or even particularly worried about my refusal.

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