Page 22 of A Court of Hearts and Hunger
“Wait!” Opal’s voice stops me. “Hear this wisdom before you depart.”
I turn, my hands balled into fists. “What?”
She puckers her lips briefly. “You should learn to control your temper.”
“You should fuck off.”
Opal sighs and sets the mouthpiece of the hookah in a holder. “You’re heading into Unseelie territory, mortal. You have to be able to conceal your true rage. You must feign indifference to things that make your blood boil, resist any attempts to goad you. Your anger, like your joy, must be a disguise you assume when you need it. Otherwise you and sweet Sugarplum will die.”
My face heats. If that was a test, I failed it thoroughly. “You’re encouraging deceit. I thought you prized honesty.”
“I do. I prize it, and I know not to give it to those who are unworthy. I’m being honest with you both now—I’ve received the messages explaining your half-assed plan, and I don’t see how either of you will come out of this alive.”
“We’re well-supplied with spells,” Finias says. “We can—”
“You don’t have all the information,” Opal interrupts. “And I could not communicate it to you while you were traveling, but you must hear it now. The new Queen of the Unseelie is far more intelligent than the Rat King. Of course she is—she’s a woman.” To my surprise, she winks at me before continuing. “She has forbidden all weapons and all items of offensive magic from entering her city. I’m not sure why, since she herself seems impervious to every weapon anyone has tried against her—and there have been multiple attempts on her life. My sources say that although glamours and external spells work normally with her, she cannot be harmed by magic of any kind. And her victims, the Heartless, are resistant to magic as well, though not to the same extent.”
“That’s very bad news.” I glance at Fin, who looks both startled and frustrated.
“As I told you in my earlier message, before you left Beannú, all gates into Mallaithe are closed except the Calamity Gate on the southwest side, through which essential supplies and the Court’s entertainers may gain admittance,” says Opal. “According to my new information, there are Diviners at that gate who can detect any spells considered too potent or too aggressive. You can’t go up to the gate with satchels full of spells, or you’ll be marked as troublemakers immediately. If you want to be allowed in, you’ll only be able to take a few mild spells with you. Anything else you need, you must assemble inside the walls of Mallaithe, with the ingredients you find.”
Fin glowers. “You’re saying I’ll have to make do with what’s in my pockets, both literal and interdimensional.”
“Indeed. Fortunately for you, they are still permitting glamours, both in the city at large and at the Dread Court. So you’ll be able to glamour a disguise for Clara. I assume that’s still your plan?”
Finias nods. “Since only entertainers and essential suppliers are permitted, Clara is entering as a painter for the Queen, while I have my entertainment magic to offer, like last time.”
“There will be those who remember you from a few years ago,” says Opal, with a significant look at Fin. A current of understanding passes between them, and I realize with a pang of envious surprise that sheknows. She knows his darkest secret, the thing he won’t tell me.
“I can handle them.” Fin’s voice is thin, strained. “What about the members of the Dread Court who saw me in the Rat King’s lair, the ones who know that I fought against him? They were turned into toys by Drosselmeyer and sent back over the border—have they been restored? If so, they could be a problem.”
“They have not been restored,” says Opal. “My sources say the Unseelie Queen keeps them on rows of shelves in her dressing room.”
“Small mercies,” I say. “At least we won’t have to worry about them recognizing us.”
“That will indeed be the least of your worries.” Opal pushes herself off the couch and walks over to a row of glossy cupboards, extracting several jars and wrapped items. “I can get you under the border wall and into the Unseelie lands, but beyond that, you’ll be on your own.”
“What about your contacts on the other side?” Finias asks. “I thought perhaps they could take us part of the way to Mallaithe.”
She shakes her head, her expression grim. “Maybebefore, but not now. Most of my contacts have either been eaten by the Heartless or have become them. This Queen, this Eater of Hearts—she does not seem to care what happens to the rest of the Unseelie, as long as she is fed and entertained behind the walls of Mallaithe. She chooses her victims at random, from the Unseelie within the city. When she devours their hearts they do not die—they are released to wander the land as mindless, empty monsters. They crave the beating heart-flesh of others, so they attack any living thing they see. The hearts they swallow fuel the Queen’s magic, and their victims rise to become Heartless themselves. As they devour and destroy, she grows more powerful.”
“But it’s only been a few months since the Rat King fell,” I say. “Surely she can’t be that powerful yet. And if she is, she might be a threat to the Seelie kingdom, too. Shouldn’t Lir be investigating the situation? Maybe even considering an invasion, before the problem becomes too widespread?”
“Excellent questions.” Opal gives me an approving nod, then turns to Fin.
“Why are you both looking at me?” He holds up his hands defensively. “I’m no general or policy-maker. And I have no idea what Lir is thinking, if he even knows the extent of what’s happening beyond the wall. He’s focused on strengthening his kingdom.”
“If the King’s spies, couriers, and border guards haven’t kept him informed, they’re just as useless as he is,” says Opal acidly. “And if theyhavetold him, and he chose to run off into the far reaches of the kingdom with his new Queen—well. I’m afraid there’s not much hope for the survival of Faerie.”
She uncorks a bottle, and liquid glugs from it into three cups. “If you do manage to reach the city and find what you seek, there’s no guarantee you can cross those lands again and make it back to the wall with your prize.”
“I’m hoping we won’t have to,” Finias replies. “Portal magic is rare, and most of its components are either long-lost or non-existent, but there are still a few paths between worlds. The White Rabbit has something in his possession—a spell or device that allows him to travel to the mortal realm. I hope to be able to use that device so we can return to the Court of Delight quickly.”
“So you’re seeking not just a girl and a book, but his portal technology as well?” Opal raises her eyebrows. "Ah, Sugarplum. Biting off more than you can chew as usual, I see.”
“When I put something in my mouth, I always swallow,” he replies, with a suggestive grin.
“Let’s hope you don’t choke. Now then, Clara, come over here and help me with the food. We’ll eat, we’ll smoke, and we’ll sleep. Tomorrow you might have your ribs cracked open and your hearts torn out. You may as well enjoy a little pleasure while you can.”
