The Lost Fae (The Twisted Crown #3) - A.K. Koonce Page 0,61

like to look at herself...

Taking in every aspect of the princess’s room is enough to give my mind the small break it needs from our heavy conversation. When the door closes and Violet turns to us with fury in her gaze, I know my respite is over.

"Tell me everything." Her fingers twitch against the knob as she locks the door.

I wonder why Fae bother with locks. Are they spelled to truly keep intruders out? Or are they just some human sign of safety that they use as an illusion to make it seem as if there isn't strength and spectacular power underneath their own skin. They know as well as I that if anyone of them wanted to, they could burst right through that door. Shatter it like Cordelia had. I force the thought away as quickly as it comes.

"How do we know you aren't working with Cordelia like Kai is?" Lincoln folds his arms over his chest.

"What could Cordelia possibly give me that I could even want? Plus, we all know I'm much more fond of Rowan, no matter how much I complain about sharing a wall, than I have ever been with our traditionalist first born, Kai."

But do we know that? And is her saying that even enough?

"I'm not surprised at all by Kai's actions, really." she adds on. "As he's grown older and has yet to be married off, or take the crown from our parents—they’ll live forever just to spite us I swear—he’s become more restless. It makes sense that he'd try to make a grab at the only throne weak enough for him to steal at the moment."

I'm not fond of her calling my throne weak. However, I know what she means. Cordelia and I are in the middle of a goddamn war. I have been her only focus for years upon years. Her obsession knows no end.

"I knew he was eager for power," Lincoln says softly. "I never in a million years would have imagined that he would betray his own family like this. He's betrayed me."

"Yes, but you’re Shadow Fae, we all know that makes you lowest on the totem pole of love."

Comments like this are what Lincoln has had to endure his entire life. Continuous reminders of how he's loved less than everyone else. It's a wonder the man is as confident as he is, instead of a crying cowardly shell of a Fae. Violet's tongue is so sharp, too. I'm not the least bit surprised that she's saying these terrible things as casually as she is.

"Kai was content to watch as Cordelia took our lives. We were only able to escape with Lylix and Zeve's help. And if today is the same day that Lincoln and I left..." I process out loud, "then that means that we can get back to them before anything bad happens."

"We can't just show up there empty handed. Between the guards, whom I've trained rather well I'd like to add, and Cordelia's rage there is no way the two of us could do anything."

"Two of you? What about me? What am I, last season’s ball gowns?" Violet interjects. "And who the hell is Zeve?"

"Remember that seer that Kai and I used to run around with when we were teenagers?" Lincoln props a hand under his chin, watching his sister for a reaction.

"The one with the shark teeth?"

I swear, I see a tremble travel down the princess’s spine. Zeve is a sight to see, and one of the most powerful seers to ever exist if I've been informed correctly. Why else would Cordelia be on the lookout for her?

"That's Zeve."

"So is there a better plan?" I start to pace the floor. I can't stand still any longer, or I'll start to burn a hole right through the ground. My teeth rake over the nail on my thumb as I think.

"We need help. It's just that simple."

But it's not simple at all. Not really. I don't have an army at my disposal, and the guards that are supposed to be loyal to me still belong to the wicked bitch of the Shadow Court.

"Doesn't the Mortal Queen have support in the Shadow Court? I don’t mean the mansion of course, that's too close to queen Cordelia. But what about in Calhutta?" Violet tilts a perfectly shaped brow.

"Calhutta... now that... that might do us some good." Lincoln nods.

I keep pacing, weaving in and around them. Violet trails me with her eyes looking bored, but the warmth in her skin has