Page 30 of The Fae Warrior's Queen

I don’t know what’s worse—nothing happening, or something happening.

And I don’t know what’s better—getting there fast, or going at a turtle’s pace like we are now.

Part of me just wants to run. I’ve timed myself in the maze before, and I know I can get to the courtyard in seconds if I sprint from this spot. But at this rate, it’s going to take us several minutes.

Scanning our surroundings, I study the twigs and thorns blocking us in. I’m not one to suffer from claustrophobia, but I don’t like being trapped by such ugliness.

Moving toward Kai, I shift a little closer while keeping enough inches between us so I don’t touch his arm again.

He studies me with worry. “Is this place bringing up bad memories from your time as Zarid’s prisoner?”

“No. Actually, the gardens were my sanctuary. When you’re in captivity, you’ll seek out any beauty you can find, and I loved it here.”

“What did you love most about it?” Conversation is a good distraction, and although Kai doesn’t seem like the type of guy who enjoys small talk, he’s participating anyway.

I appreciate that. “Bringing Zander here when he was young. When he was a small child, we used to race, play hide-and-seek, or have chess tournaments.”

“King Zander still loves chess. He carries a board with him all the time, and he’s unbeatable.”

“Unbeatable for everyone except me.” I smile a little. “Who do you think taught him?”

“Are you saying you’d win if we played each other?” Humor sparkles in Kai’s gaze when he glances my way.

“Undoubtably.”

“I’m glad you have some good times to remember. It’s amazing that you can think back on that time with any fondness at all. You made the best of it.”

I hum out a noncommittal sound because he’s describing me as way more resilient than I really am.

Unfortunately, all my pleasant memories from Valora have a darkened flipside. Every decent day is bookended with the shadows of sadness, and it’s not just because Zander and I were prisoners living in fear. There’s also what Merina and her coven did to my son.

“After Zander lost his sight because of the coven’s curse, he was brokenhearted,” I tell Kai. “He didn’t want to go to the garden for a long time, and sometimes when I remember how much he loved it, I’m reminded of when it stopped. His favorite part about the maze was the flowers, and not being able to see them anymore was very painful for him. It was many years before he could step foot inside it again.”

“He was just five or six when he went blind, right?”

“Yes. He was so young. Just an innocent casualty in a war that began before he was born.”

“Yet King Zander became a great ruler and an even better man,” Kai points out with positivity.

Praise for my son never gets old, so I perk up a bit. “Thank you. I’m very proud of him. All the princes affected by the blindness curses astonished everyone with their strength.”

We arrive at a T in the maze, and Kai looks to me for direction. I tip my head to the right. Leading with his sword out, we start a long stretch before we get to the last turn that will take us to the courtyard.

“So I’m wondering something,” I say.

“Yes?”

“Since there’s a treaty in place, have the royals given up on justice against Merina? Do they no longer want to punish the witch for the suffering she’s caused?”

“Oh, they’d love to kill her,” Kai answers wryly. “But as long as she stays in the Lost Land, no one can touch her.”

“It just doesn’t seem right. Yeah, this place is awful, but it’s not like being here is a penance for her. She’d have to have a heart to be affected by the sorrow. Instead, she probably loves it.”

“You talk as if you know her.”

“I guess I don’t, but I did meet her briefly. At Vaeront’s.”

“You saw her?”

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