Page 133 of A Deception of Courts

Rafaela’s brows furrowed at my question. Her battered, torn wings twitched just as my own fingers continued to fidget on my lap. “My actions and desires have affected you enough, Robin Icethorn. I would not wish for you to concern yourself with the repercussions I have brought upon myself. The punishment which waits for me is not a new concept. Gabrial and I knew it would come with our success. I welcome it gladly.”

“But I do worry,” I said, sitting forward until my ass was on the edge of my seat. “All this talk of punishment does not sit well with me.”

“Is there anything we can do?” Elinor asked the questions likely running through all our minds. “Surely the Nephilim would listen if the heads of the fey courts petitioned for you?”

Rafaela smiled proudly, brushing off Elinor’s suggestion with an exhaled sigh. “Not even the Creator could cleanse me of my sins, Elinor Oakstorm. My duty, my purpose, was to protect the keys, but I went against it. I took it a step further and ensured they were destroyed. Whatever is waiting for me, I welcome it.”

She looked at me, and I was certain I saw tears swell in her striking eyes. “Gabrial will provide me with comfort. I go gladly, knowing I am a step closer to seeing my sister’s face again.”

Althea stood abruptly. Her chair clattered with a bang against the floor. “There is no denying my views on your decision and the position it put Robin in. But I can’t condone sending you back to the Nephilim if death awaits you. Actually, I refuse it.”

“Starting a war with the Nephilim over one life is not worth it,” Rafaela replied, voice clear and proud. “And there is no saying if death will greet me. My people are just and fair. I appreciate your wishes to protect me, but I am not in need. Believe me.”

I didn’t believe her, that was the problem.

I sensed Rafaela’s finality to the conversation, but the look I shared with Althea confirmed this was not over. Far from it, in fact.

We continued speaking for hours. In the windowless room, time was inconsequential as a concept. Only the melting of the pillar candles across the table and the ever-growing puddle of wax at their base was a signifier of how long we lost ourselves to conversation.

“Forgive me.” Elinor stood, face contorting into a yawn. “It has been a long few days, and I imagine those that follow will be no different. It is not criminal to steal a few hours of sleep before I have to face my council. Still, I sense nothing but resistance from them. Once this conflict has been dealt with, I will continue with the one which rages in the heart ofmycourt.”

“Say the word,” Althea said. “And I will help where I can.”

“Doran surrounded himself with men whose narrow views did not vary. It will take some time to convince them of my rule, until I grow impatient and snatch it from underneath them.”

“Weak men are fearful of powerful women,” I said, echoing something my father had once told me. I couldn’t help but wonder if he spoke of my mother.

Elinor placed a fleeting hand upon my shoulder. “Julianne would have told you, given the chance, I have always enjoyed a challenge. Now more so than ever.”

My chest warmed at the mention of my mother. I wished Elinor didn’t have to leave so I could finally take the chance to ask her everything she remembered of her. Now the Icethorn key no longer dwelled within me, I couldn’t help but feel distant from her. It was as if the one physical thing tethering me to her had vanished.

As Elinor Oakstorm dismissed herself and slipped through the door, Rafaela also bidding farewell alongside her, Erix forced his way into the room under the muttering of apologies.

“Do you still struggle with the concept of personal space, Erix?” Althea threw her comment at Erix. It reminded me of a time, an easier one than this, when we were all friends without the horrible memories wedged between us.

My tired grin faltered as I looked at the frown that drew down Erix’s face. He looked directly at me, hesitation lingering on his parted lips.

“Erix. What is it?”

The shadow in his eyes frightened me. It was as though he’d seen something horrifying, as though he faced his greatest fear and narrowly survived it – again.

Erix looked at me with wide, all-seeing eyes. My heart plummeted through my chest. Panic seized at my throat and squeezed. The look on his face seemed to reveal my fear. One I had faced multiple times.

Duncan’s death.

I clapped my hands to my ears, refusing to hear the words Erix had to say. Except his words caught me off guard. They had me removing my hands slowly, lowering them back to my thighs as I tried to make sense of Erix’s revelation.

“Duncan is awake.”

CHAPTER 37

I stumbled over my footing, refusing to believe what I saw before me. Erix hadn’t lied. For a moment, I thought he had. How could he have shown such an expression yet reveal such happy news? Was it his jealousy or bitterness taking physical form across his expression?

I would have berated him, but I had no time.

Instead, I ran. Ran through the foreign hallways and rooms. I ran back tohim. To Duncan.

He stood at the end of the corridor, haloed with moonlight which swelled in through the grand window at his back.

---