Spring (Evermore Academy #2) - Audrey Grey Page 0,98
filled with golden plum wine. “To Yule, the Winter Solstice, new beginnings”—her eyes slide to me—“and new people.”
I follow suit, my heart as full as the wine glass I hold. Looking around the room at these people—Fae and human—I know just how lucky I am to have them in my life.
After that, I fall into the banter and camaraderie as Eclipsa, Asher, and Valerian all tease each other and reminisce. Any worries that I would disrupt their tradition somehow float away as the night progresses.
And, oh, does it ever. Ruby entertains us by juggling the candied winter berries on the sweets tray and performing an adorable dance every time she eats something particularly amazing. Mack makes us laugh when she tells us the story of her dads’ water sprites, which were finally rehomed to an aquatic Faerie creatures rescue center.
I even share some of my family’s Christmas traditions, confusing everyone but Mack when I try to explain Santa.
When the main course is delivered, the waiter hands Valerian an extra plate. Eclipsa winks at me as he studies the bowl. “What’s this?”
I grin. “SpaghettiOs with meatballs, aka the poor man’s heaven in a can.”
I can’t say that the expression on his face is blissful after he takes a bite, but he doesn’t spit it out like the ramen noodles the other day, so I consider it a win.
Finally, when there’s a lull in the conversation, I make sure the room is spelled from eavesdroppers before divulging what I learned on the field trip.
When I finish explaining the link between Hellebore and Evelyn, Eclipsa sets down her wine glass, her eyes livid. “Why didn’t you tell us Evelyn mentioned the Bloodstar flower?”
“Honestly, I forgot about it when I first woke up, and then I assumed Mack had already mentioned it.”
I cringe. Way to throw your bestie under the bus.
Mack taps her fork against her plate, the food untouched. Has she eaten anything since we arrived? “There was so much going on, and I was worried for Summer.”
Eclipsa downs her wine in a single gulp and then pours another glass. She’s still raw when it comes to Hellebore.
Valerian jumps in. “Now that we do know this information, we need to find a way to expose him.”
Asher growls under his breath. “I’ve always hated that pretty-boy bastard. Exposing him would be a pleasure.”
“But why would someone from the Seelie Court work to bring the Darken back?” Mack asks, toying with the red strap of her dress. “I mean, he basically started a war to destroy the entire Seelie side of the Fae, right?”
The others share a look. They must decide that Mack is trustworthy because Asher turns to her and explains, “The Darken wanted to destroy the Seelie because they stood in his way.”
I run a finger over the rim of my water glass. “In his way for what?”
They share yet another tense look, and my appetite dies.
“My grandfather believed land was the key to power.” Valerian’s voice is low, as if the Darken might hear him. “His continuous wars for territory eventually made my court the most powerful in existence, but he wanted more.”
A shiver of cold snakes down my spine as Valerian’s gaze slides to me.
Oh, God. “The mortal lands,” I whisper.
Valerian nods. “The Seelie opposed his plan to dominate your world. Historically the Seelie Courts were more tolerant of mortals, and they already had an overabundance of mortal slaves without a war. So my grandfather decided to remove the final obstacle to his grand plans.”
“Oh my God,” Mack breathes through the fingers clamped over her mouth.
A lycan waiter enters with a pitcher of water, and Eclipsa sends him running with a glare.
She turns to me. “The Seelie Courts may have once opposed taking over your world, but now, with the scourge and the darklings destroying their own lands and no end in sight, some wouldn’t hesitate to bring the Darken back and finish the job.”
My hand shakes around my water glass as I bring it to my lips. The thought of what that could mean for our entire world . . .
I give up on my water and set the glass back down. “I have a plan.”
Everyone leans in as I explain the scheme I’ve been putting together in my mind since I left the Summer Queen’s law firm.
When I’m done, I recap. “So, essentially, during the final gauntlet held in the Spring Court, we’ll have access to the palace, including the vaults where Hellebore keeps everything he considers precious. It