Page 28 of Trials of Dusk and Dreams
“Sit down, poppet.” Cricket slides a stool out for me, its legs scraping against the stone floor. “Tell us what happened.”
“Yes, please do.” Marina’s worried tone draws my gaze to her painting. The mermaid’s iridescent tail slaps anxiously against her rock, creating ripples in the painted water. “Tell us what happened to dear Master Foxy-woxy.”
The sky behind her, usually a vibrant blue, is now overcast. Rain pours in gray sheets, churning the once-turquoise ocean into a tempest.
“Are you okay?” Geraldine asks me, her brow furrowed with concern.
“I don’t know,” I admit. The stool creaks as I settle onto it. Cricket places a steaming bowl of stew before me, its rich aroma a welcome distraction.
I launch into an explanation of events covering Titania’s theft of my magic, the Six’s true identity, that they’re my mates. We’re at war with Nocturna because Titania stole the Six from Oberon. She was the first in a long line of slaver queens designed to contain their chaotic powers, but they are changed after their time in Elphyne. I tell them about the Guardian teardrop and how they’ve been blessed and responsible for ensuring magic flourishes. I tell them of Fox’s sacrifice—his love. My friends’ scents shift subtly as they react to my story—fear, concern, confusion.
After I finish, I fill the stunned silence by eating, trying to eat away my guilt over leaving details of my sordid upbringing out. I’m scraping the bowl with bread when someone finally speaks.
“So Fox destroyed the House of Stone tower,” Geraldine says warily, and I nod.
“What does that mean for us?” Peggy scowls at the pot she stirs.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“I think she means,” Max adds. “Are we in trouble?”
“Why would you be in trouble?”
“I guess,” he replies, “will we be more of a target now? Will other houses come for us by association?”
Heat rises to my cheeks. I can only imagine how fearful they’d be right now. Everything I do has consequences beyond my own safety. I shake my head. “No one knows except us.”
They all let out an uneasy exhale.
“Although . . .” I bite my lip as I recall the reason the Earl was here. “Puck seems to have gained somewhat of a political advantage.”
“So we’re fucked?” Geraldine asks.
“Fox’s bargain silences Puck from revealing the truth.”
“So we’re not fucked?” Max nervously questions.
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” Marina pipes up from her painting. “But don’t the trials make you all fucked regardless? Unless you win, of course.”
“Whenthey win.” Cricket throws her dishrag at Marina. It slides off the painting and falls to the floor. “A little tact wouldn’t go astray.”
“I’m sorry,” I mumble. “This kind of thing is going to keep happening. I have enemies here—the biggest enemy of all, just because of who I am to the Six. For being born, really. The danger won’t be over until . . . well, not even after the exhibition. You might survive this, but maybe it will be worse. If you want to leave, I can still activate that portal stone to Elphyne.”
The words leave a bitter taste in my mouth. Part of me—the lone wolf—wants to push them away, to shield them from the dangers that seem to stalk my every step. But another part, the one starved for genuine connection, aches at the thought of losing them.
Geraldine snatches up Cricket’s fallen dishrag and hurls it at me. It hits my chest with a soft thwap. “Stop trying to get rid of us.”
“We’ll be fine.” Max’s hand lands on my shoulder, warm and reassuring.
I cover his hand with mine. “I don’t want secrets between us.”
I wince. It’s not a lie, but I’m too cowardly to share them all.
“Not to throw water on it, milady,” Cricket interjects, her brows arching, “but do the masters know we now know their secret?”
“Um . . .” My stomach drops. “Maybe not?” Panic flashes across their faces, and I quickly add, “But don’t worry, I’ll deal with it. Legion is wearing the enchanted spectacles Fox made. He remembers we’re mates, so I should have a little sway when it comes to protecting you all.”
That appeases them, and they settle into silence as they finish the meal prep. I wash and dry my dishes before sitting and staring at them, wishing there was more I could do to keep them all safe.
