Page 77 of A Court of Hearts and Hunger
“The Sugarplum Faerie,” says the Queen, her eyes half-lidded. “My Manager sent word that you fended off some of the Heartless from the area around the Calamity Gate.”
Alarm galvanizes my nerves. Fin was involved in a battle with the Heartless? He had to know that would jeopardize his favorable reception by the Queen. The Heartless are her victims, but according to what Opal told us, they also feed her power with every heart they consume. To slaughter them openly in front the gate seems unusually careless for Fin. He must have had no choice.
“The word you received is true,” Fin says, bowing even lower. “I would let nothing prevent me from basking in your presence, Gracious Lady, Wondrous Queen.”
Her lip curls slightly, but her eyes flick over his face and body with a kind of reluctant approval. I’ve never been so glad that Fin is impossibly pretty.
“You performed at the Dread Court three years ago, yes?” she says, in a faintly disdainful tone. “Where have you been since then?”
“Learning new tricks, Illustrious Majesty,” Fin says. “I’m told you enjoy games, both of skill and of chance.”
She watches him without replying.
“If I may?” With a flourish, Fin produces a handful of small cakes on a white cloth. Each cake is frosted half red, half black, with the words “Eat Me” written in loops of white icing.
“Her Majesty doesn’t consume such things,” interjects a courtier.
“You,” the Queen says, her gaze fastening on the male who spoke. “Take one of the cakes.”
Fin bows his head, smiling at the courtier, who advances nervously and picks up one of the treats.
“Choose a side,” Fin says.
The crowd gives him their avid attention, their mouths full of the candy that is still winking into existence in midair and floating down onto the revelers like delicious snow.
Cautiously the courtier takes a bite out of the red side of the cake.
Instantly he begins to shrink, clothes and all, growing smaller and smaller until he is doll-sized, smaller than Lir was in his Nutcracker form.
The Queen leans forward, interest gleaming in her eyes. When the courtier squeaks a protest, she smiles at Fin—a brilliant, beautiful, wicked smile.
“It’s only temporary,” Fin assures the courtier. “One side will make you grow smaller, and the other side—well, try it.”
Still grumbling, the courtier bites the side with the black frosting. He begins to grow, surging back up to his proper height.
“Just a nibble now,” Fin suggests.
The courtier nibbles, and shoots up taller. His clothes expand with him—a nifty bit of magic. When did Fin develop this spell?
“I have more ideas for your entertainment, Fairest and Mightiest of Queens,” Fin says, bowing. “If you would allow me to serve you at Court.”
The guests are already clamoring to try the cakes. Whether the Queen trusts Fin or not, she seems inclined to let them have their fun.
“You may remain,” she says coolly. “This will be rather amusing.”
Leaning back in her throne, she watches as Fin produces more cakes and hands them out to the eager crowd. Within moments the entire courtyard is full of huge Fae and tiny Fae, all of whom keep growing and shrinking, shrieking with laughter as they nibble their cakes and try out different sizes.
“The colors don’t predict the outcome,” Finias tells the Queen. “It’s a guessing game. A matter of luck.”
“It is something I’ve never seen before,” she replies. “And novelty is of greater value to me than any pretentious skull-jugglers.” Lazily she beckons to a servant. “Bring me one of the skull-jugglers—the skinny one with the feathers. I want his heart.”
23
I’ve been in my cell for a long time, with no news of what’s happening outside the city. I’m not sure I understand exactly what’s going on—but I do know that Caer and the Rabbit are trying to save lives. Unseelie lives.
I shouldn’t hope they succeed. After all, judging from my personal experience with two of the Unseelie, they are a vulgar, violent, cruel, and untrustworthy race.
But they are also intelligent, passionate, strangely charming, and—fun. Yes, I had fun with Caer tonight. And I’m worried he’ll die at the hands of this Queen they hate so much.
