Page 71 of The Cursed Crown

“Wait!” Sura called. “You’ll hurt yourself.”

Maybe. “I don’t think so. I’m wearing Mab’s crown. I’m her granddaughter. This place is home.”

A part of her had felt it before she’d even reached the island. That knowledge had been floating around the edge of her mind since she’d first seen the keep over the frozen lake. She glanced to Rydekar. “I have to try.”

She couldn’t quite read him, but finally, a smile tugged at his lip. “We,” he declared. “The Old Keep recognizes no court. It stands for all of the folk on land. We do this together.”

Rissa nodded, offering a hand he entwined with his, then both of them advanced to the great iron doors. They opened before they’d reached the last step.

On the other side, a nightmare awaited.

Bodies littered the dark great hall. Dozens upon dozens of dead folk, seelie and unseelie alike. Little folk, great noble gentry, their humble servants; all had seen their end, and bled on the smooth hardwood floor.

Rissa and Rydekar both unsheathed their swords and lifted them at the ready before striding inside. She attempted to avoid the bodies at first, but it affected her balance, so she mirrored Rye, who stepped on the fallen when he had to.

As the rest of their company joined them, Rydekar gestured to the archways leading out. The thick decorative curtains that had been wide open during her previous stay were drawn over the openings, plunging the room into darkness.

Rissa’s eyes could see well enough during the night, like most fae, but the sea folk thrived in obscurity, used to the shadows of the depth of the ocean.

One of Rydekar’s men obeyed, and the moment the first curtain twitched, she spotted a figure at the end of the hall.

“Rye.” She tilted her chin forward.

Following her look, Rydekar watched the lone man with narrowed eyes.

The stranger seemed familiar, though Rissa strained to realize why at first. There was something in his eyes, the shape of his mouth, and even his stature. Suddenly, she pinpointed where she’d seen it before. On Rydekar.

This man was a washed-out version of Rydekar. Shorter but broader, he had lighter hair than the unseelie king, but other than that, they could pass for brothers.

“Dorin,” Rye spat.

She had to think for a moment; she’d heard that name before, but where?

“What, noDaddy?” The man laughed. “I’m hurt.”

This was Rydekar’s father, then.

“No father of mine would betray Tenebris for the Sea Lands.”

Dorin’s amethyst eyes flashed, but his smile just broadened. “Yeah, well, Tenebris betrayed me first. You were given the crown I was born to wear. I’m simply taking it back.”

“If you think the Sea Lands would let you control Tenebris, you’re an idiot.” Rye’s chuckle held no humor. “Never mind. You’re an idiot in any case.”

Dorin smirked. “What does that make you, son?”

Before Rydekar opened his mouth, the doors slammed shut behind them. At their feet, water started to pool, raising inch by inch at every second.

Dorin laughed, turned on his heels, and left the entry hall.

Crap.

Letting go of Rydekar’s hand, Rissa ran forward, willing her wings to spread. It was like stretching an overused, unwilling muscle, but they reluctantly rose at her call. She leaped up, batting them hard.

Dorin winced, grunting as he attempted to close the heavy door behind him.

Rissa reached it just as his face was about to disappear. He grinned victoriously.

Her wing shot between the closing door and the wall as he shut it.

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