Page 226 of Flirting with Darkness

“The magic…?” I swapped a glance with Faolán who raised his eyebrows.

“Magic has a scent. Though usually only those with strong gifts—or sometimes the keen senses that come with shifting—can smell it.” He gave Ari a long look as though reassessing her short stature and delicate hands.

He wasn’t the only one. In a sense, Ari had shifted since coming to Elfhame. Rather than taking on another form, she had become more herself now she was free of Briarbridge with its stifling debts and closed minds.

My chest was full and warm as everyone sat and poured wine, and between Faolán and I, we explained what had happened since we’d last seen them. It turned out less time had passed than I’d thought—Bastian had a theory that repeatedly opening the shadow door to us created a tether that anchored the house to Tenebris, chronologically. Where our first two weeks had been six months in the outside world, our time since Ari and Lysander’s visit had passed at a normal rate.

Bastian still sat in that relaxed pose, but his stillness suggested he took in every word. Lysander listened with a small frown. Ari was the most animated, mouth dropping open in shock, eyes widening in horror, then filling with tears as she heard about Elaina and her beloved. That was when Lysander pulled her closer.

It felt good to have Faolán touch my back at that point, too. A reassurance.

“It isn’t clear who or what she was, really”—he shook his head—“but she isn’t around any longer.”

Lysander rubbed his chin, his other arm draping over Ari’s shoulder. “The Serp—Bastianand I did some research in the palace archives. Hemanaged to narrow down the location based on the moon and stars when he visited, so that helped our search.”

The only movement from Bastian was his eyes turning in Lysander’s direction. I guessed folk didn’t call him “the Serpent” to his face. I would’ve paid to be a fly on the wall of the archives to see these two workingtogether.

“It took some digging,” Lysander went on. “We found one mention in a very old book hidden away in a corner—a woman with a palace in that general area. The exact location was lost, but the description fits with what you saw, so I think we can fill it in on the maps.” Expression flat, he turned to Bastian. “It’s probably worth warning people in the area.”

Faolán wrinkled his nose and nodded. “It felt like a vile place as we were leaving. Evil things were done there.” His hand curled around my waist, firm. “It’ll attract all sorts.” He raised his eyebrows at Bastian.

One elbow on the table, Bastian stroked his bottom lip. “What do you people think I spend my time doing?Of courseI’ve already sent a patrol down there to take a look. Just like I checked the walls from the outside as soon as I was aware you two had been trapped.” He rolled his eyes. “There was no way to get you out—at least not alive.”

Faolán sucked in his lips and gave Bastian an apologetic look. “Of course you did.”

Bastian waved him off. “Admittedly, I had to end my research stint early to attend to some business for Her Majesty. Lysander, did you find anything interesting after I left?” Again, that glance at Ari’s husband. It was the first time I’d seen him address the man directly.

“The book pointed me to another document that was partially decayed.” Lysander raised his hands and gave a soft sound of frustration. “The details are sparse, but the woman was from an offshoot of Dusk’s royal family. It sounds like she was sore at not being from the ruling branch, so entertained herself by holding her own court at this palace of hers. Eventually, she didsomethingthat broke a law. I don’t know what, but it was bad enough that she was sentenced to never leave her grounds for the rest of her days. That sentence”—he canted his head at me—“was sealed with a geas, so she couldn’t ever escape.”

“Hmm.” Faolán’s seat creaked as he shifted his weight. “Could’ve been any number of things we saw. What she did…” His jaw tightened and he pulled on my waist like he wanted me closer. The only way I could get any closer would be sitting in his lap.

I gave his knee a reassuring squeeze. “Well, she’s gone now.”

“Thanks to you.” He covered my hand, that tension in his face easing to something that might’ve been pride.

Lysander shared a look with Ari, their mouths twisting like they were fighting smiles. “She’s well and truly gone now,” he said, a glint in his eye, “they scratched her name out of of all the records, even did it magically in one I found. I couldn’t retrieve any part, not even what letter it began with.”

Ari scowled, her little hands fisting. She looked all the smaller surrounded by these tall men. “Whatever she did, whoever she was, they thought her so evil that even her name wasn’t allowed to survive.”

“Good riddance,” Faolán growled.

“Interesting, though”—I raised my eyebrows at Ari—“some of the things she did made it to Albion. After you… left, townsfolk were telling stories about how the Night Queen sacrificed humans and ate their hearts.”

“If I were you”—Bastian swirled his glass of wine, eyes on it—“I wouldn’t mention such stories again.” Despite the apparent ease of his pose, his voice was low and carried a note of warning.

At my side, Faolán tensed.

“Calm yourself.” Bastian gave him a sidelong look. “Consider it a friendly warning. Remember where you are and who you work for.”

“Hmm.” Faolán exhaled, but his jaw worked side to side.

“I understand.” I smiled at Bastian. Ultimately, the Night Queen was Faolán’s boss, and I didn’t imagine most rulers wanted people in their realm telling stories about them eating hearts, even if they weren’t true.

Lysander cleared his throat. “You’re lucky you got out of there. That source suggested she had unseelie blood and you know what they say about—”

Ari elbowed him in the ribs.

At my back, Faolán’s arm was hard, his claws lightly digging into me.

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