Page 38 of A Deception of Courts

Gabrial said softly, whilst spreading her sorrowful stare across the room. “I believe you have a ritual for such a transfer, although the meaning has been lost to you, masqueraded beneath royal protocol. Although Robin, from what I’ve gleaned, you weren’t blessed with such a ritual. You faced the raw power of Altar’s essence and claimed it yourself, did you not?”

“If there was a passing of a key, I would know about it,” Althea snapped, eyes wide as she tried to make sense of the revelation.

“Forgive our choice of words,” Rafaela said. “We refer to Altar’s essence as a key, but it is not shown in the shape or form that you expect when linked with such a word. It is power unlike anything you can understand…”

“Power that could destroy a realm,” I said, remembering the bundle of pure magic that chased through Icethorn’s skies before I accepted it. “Elinor returned to the Oakstorm Court to claim it.”

“Except, it is notpower.” Rafaela’s grip tightened upon her hammer. “It’s thekeyto keeping a demon from entering this world and destroying it. Hence the word. Althea, you would know about the succession rites of your court. Can you understand any part of it that could suggest the transference of a key from one to another, without realising the potential of power you accept?”

The Cedarfall princess pondered the question. Through her widened eyes I could practically see the cogs turning. “There is something. A short practice where the head of the court presents a labradorite carving to their chosen heir. It’s all I can think about.”

I’d never heard of such a rite before, but then again, my true family died before they had the chance to reveal such things to me. “What is that?” I asked.

“Labradorite is known as Altar’s bones. It’s the same stone that signifies the separating borders between each realm. It is what keeps the power in…” Althea blinked, realising something. “Because itcontainspower.”

Gabrial smiled, a proud grin one would expect a parent gave their child when doing something impressive. “Exactly, Princess Cedarfall. As the queen or king who carves their chosen statue out of labradorite, it contains the essence – Altar’s key – and then is given to the next. Although you do not remember the complexities to the rite, that is what it is for.”

“We wear them, for two weeks before we are crowned,” Althea said.

“Thus soaking the essence into yourselves without knowing,” Rafaela added. “Like water to a sponge. Although, you know what happens when the rite is not complete – as Robin Icethorn’s story proves.”

“Wait.” I gargled on the word. Dread traced its talon up my spine. A wave of pure sickness overcame me. “If a key has been destroyed, then…”

Althea’s chair screeched as she pushed out of it. Her force was so great that the chair tumbled, crashing into the ground away from her. We both worked it out at the same time, blinded first by knowledge, but even that couldn’t keep out the root of the conversation.

Aldrick had destroyed a key. Gabrial had shed a tear when she told us – as though she was grieving over something. No, not something.Someone.

“Who did he kill?” I spat, slamming ice-cold hands upon the table until ice webbed out across it, devouring wood within seconds.

Heat flared at my side, more magic spilling free into the air.

“If a key has been destroyed…” Althea’s eyes filled with furious tears, but her resolve kept them from spilling. Her entire body trembled, encouraging streams of heat to twist from her skin. Cassial flinched from her suddenly. “I hardly imagine the fey he has encountered would give the… power. The key, whatever it is. They wouldn’t have given it to him willingly. Who did Aldrick kill – is my mother still alive?”

Rafaela recoiled at Althea’s cracked shout. More of her heat pumped into the air, encasing the cabin in an unbearably sweltering fog.

Unable to let her suffer alone, but aware her lack of control could destroy us all in a single moment, I moved to her side. As my arms wrapped around her, I brought my icy chill to encase my skin, just to protect myself. Our powers clashed in a hiss, but I didn’t let go.

“Your family is safe,” I whispered into her ear, trying to convince her and myself. “I believe it.”

“Robin is right. The Cedarfall court has not been touched by Aldrick. At least, not yet.”

Then who? Elinor? The Elmdew kings? I felt guilty in the knowledge that I put more hope into itnotbeing Elinor Oakstorm.

“If he touches them…” Althea didn’t need to finish her threat for me to understand it.

“I know,” I replied. “And I will be with you when he burns.”

“Aldrick has not destroyed a key, he needs them.”

That calmed Althea down, settling my own maelstrom within me. “Then no one has died?”

“Unfortunately they have. Aldrick will not destroy the essence, because he requires it. However, its host, they are only a barrier in his way,” Gabrial confirmed. “Destruction of such a power is detrimental to his end goal.”

“I will ask you again,” Althea seethed. “Who has he killed?”

Gabrial stood slowly from her chair, pressing her hands dutifully before her as though holding a flower between each palm. Across her skin, the symbols had stilled, fading to a faint silver until they looked more like old scars. Regardless, I knew they were there, waiting to be read by the Nephilim when required.

She lifted her azure stare, expression not matching the words that followed. “King Peta Elmdew and his husband, King Consort Dai. The spring court has fallen. I am so sorry for your loss.”

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