Shadow Cursed by May Sage Page 0,9

out for blood. She can get in line. There are thousands of us who’d love to sink our claws in the usurper’s throat.

“According to your grandfather, she was named Violet at birth. Who knows what name she uses now?”

Violet was a changeling, given to a human mother in exchange for a mortal girl Queen Morgana fostered.

I never quite understood the purpose of such an exchange. In the old days, the fae gave humans a sickly, dying child and took a healthy one in its place, but of late, those who took changelings had a tendency to give away any child of theirs.

I suppose Morgana believed she had enough heirs to secure her bloodline. How mistaken she was. Now, all of them have perished, save for Ciera and Vlari—the two members of her family she cast away.

Humans have uses in the fae world. For one, while a fae could try for centuries before being blessed with a child, humans are a lot more fertile. Their bloodlines are so irrelevant, their spawn with fae blood have all of our strength, and almost none of their weaknesses. But for a queen from an unusually fertile line to give away a fairy child for a human daughter? I see no sense in it.

“Violet.” Vlari rolls each syllable around her mouth softly, almost lovingly. “Of nothing,” she translates from the old tongue, before chuckling. “She was judged useless before she said her first words. No wonder she wants us all to suffer. Perhaps we should meet for tea and converse about the thousand deaths Morgana deserved.”

I know little of the old unseelie queen, Vlari’s grandmother. I’d been aware of the fact that Vlari’s side of the family was disgraced since her mother married a common puck, against Morgana’s wishes, but I’d only started to glimpse the deep-rooted hatred between them at Samhain.

The only Samhain that mattered in my life; the first and last time I’d escorted Vlari anywhere.

The queen had attempted to throw Vlari at the ruthless Sea Lands Court, exchanging a granddaughter for an alliance. I’d seen nothing but callous indifference from Morgana. No, not even indifference. The high queen had seemed pleased to see Vlari panic.

And the next day, Morgana was dead.

It’s just as well. I imagine that if things had gone another way, I’d have ended up executed for butchering a high queen.

I circle back to the matter at hand. “Violet’s stolen from, tortured, and murdered our kind. You do have odd taste in tea companions, princess.”

Vlari grins wickedly. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t poison the drinks first.”

I chuckle. It’s odd to my own ears. Unnatural. How long has it been since I laughed at all?

I don’t need to wonder.

Ten years.

“Mother says you’ve been invaluable.”

I’m surprised her mother has said anything at all about me.

“I haven’t seen her in a long time,” I admit.

Not since I’d seen Vlari herself, ten years ago.

The queen doesn’t step out of her keep. The folk are invited to feast with her on the celebration days, but I’ve never bothered to go.

“She keeps me informed about all my friends,” Vlari says, shooting another dagger straight through my heart. “But nothing else at all. She doesn’t want me to worry, but I should like to be kept informed. Thank you for the actual news. I do catch a few things here and there, but I can’t concentrate too often. It taxes me.”

Remembering the reason for my visit, I ask, “How does it work? I heard what you did earlier, to help a girl outside the walls. You were there, Vlari. Material. Holding a weapon and all.”

Vlari shrugs. “I wasn’t truly there. My body hasn’t moved in years. But yes, if I concentrate enough, my mind can go anywhere in Whitecroft. The council rooms, bonfires.” She grins. “Or I could spy on lovers, I suppose.” She sighs. “It takes up a lot of focus and energy, however. I like to watch the borders sometimes. I spotted the girl, and I wanted to help. It was instinctive. But I’ve been exhausted since. Exhausted, yet asleep. It’s quite the conundrum, isn’t it?”

I can’t wrap my mind around any of this. What I do know, however, is that we can’t afford for her to waste her energy in any way. She can’t rescue little girls or spy on lovers, not if it costs her weeks, days, even hours.

I remember what her mother said about the curse. If Vlari loses her strength, she won’t be able to pull herself out of eversleep.

Since the