Crown of Moonlight (Court of Midnight and Deception #2) - K.M. Shea Page 0,77
think it’s more important than ever to talk about it.”
“Why? Because my half fae half human blood is making it difficult to resonate with my royal artifact? Presumably, anyway. We don’t really have proof what is making it such a poor magical conductor.”
“What Skye will eventually get around to saying,” said a recognizable, proper, and feminine voice, “is that because you brought the Night Realm forward, you are obviously very powerful, but due to your obvious struggles with your artifact, there is something blocking your full powers.”
Skye and I stared at each other, then turned around and peered over the crumbling stone bannister.
Sitting on a half-destroyed wooden bench placed at the bottom of the patio overlook was Lady Chrysanthe.
She was wearing a knee-length skirt patterned with black and yellow flowers, black ankle-high boots, and a perfectly fitting black sweater while she was sipping from a porcelain teacup, her hair arranged in flawless curls.
She rested her teacup in its saucer, then glanced up at Skye and me. “Don’t mind me. I just happen to be sitting here.”
“Happen to be?” I asked.
Lady Chrysanthe slightly pursed her lips. “Yes.”
I wonder if the stress of Lord Myron targeting her made her lose it. She’s been acting weird for weeks.
I shook my head.
“She is correct,” Skye confirmed. “Although I am loyal to you, and I believe you are the best monarch the Night Court could hope for, I always imagined your powers lay in your charisma and your cleverness. I was shocked by the display of power that was the hunt.”
“I’d say ouch, but I agree with you,” I said. “As a half fae, my mom enrolled me in magic classes for years. I was okay at it, but I never showed a real affinity for it.”
Down below, Lady Chrysanthe sniffed. “This is why children should be taught by those from their Court. They’d better recognize the signs.”
“I don’t suppose you could happen to go away?” I called down to Lady Chrysanthe.
“I was here first,” Lady Chrysanthe said.
“No you weren’t! Linus and I have been practicing magic since seven in the morning here!”
“Precisely! I arrived at six!”
“She’s crazy,” I muttered. I shook my head and made myself refocus. “Can there really be that big a difference in power anyway? I mean, all fae have to use artifacts to use magic—isn’t it more dependent on the artifact you use?”
“You are correct to an extent. Fae do not have individual metrics of power like the wizards do. But it can still be said that there are levels or degrees of power. Some fae can only manage low grade magic like glamours and illusions. Those who are particularly skilled can do things like brew potions. Those with more skill can use higher grade artifacts—like the nobles.”
“That’s fine and dandy, but why—then—am I having problems with my royal artifact?” I asked.
Skye hesitated. “I’m not certain.”
“Here’s the thing.” Lady Chrysanthe topped the last step on the patio staircase, still carrying her teacup. “I think you’ve actually resonated to something bigger, but that was the only thing in that room capable of reaching you.”
“How do you know all of this? What are you even doing here?” I asked.
Lady Chrysanthe shrugged elegantly. “I’ve just happened to cross paths with you occasionally and see and hear things.”
“Our security is not tight enough if you’re able to keep wiggling through,” I grumbled.
Lady Chrysanthe ignored me and primly drank from her teacup while pointedly not looking at me or Skye.
She is unbelievably awkward. She obviously wants me to ask her about her theory.
I sighed. At least she isn’t trying to kill me anymore.
“Okay, I’ll bite. What else could I resonate with, Lady Chrysanthe?” I asked. “My night mares? Maybe the shades or glooms?”
Lady Chrysanthe triumphantly tilted her head back. “I think it could be an artifact used by a past ruler that’s on display!”
I wrinkled my forehead. “What?”
Skye leaned forward, intrigued. “Why would you believe that?”
“She’s powerful enough to pull the Night Realm out. Wouldn’t it stand to reason she’s powerful enough to use one of the treasured artifacts?” Lady Chrysanthe said.
“We could certainly test your theory out,” Skye said.
“I’m not convinced—and I’m not super eager to touch royal artifacts either,” I snorted. “Last time Lord Linus had me touch one it lit me up like a Christmas tree! It wasn’t fine.”
Wrinkles spiderwebbed across Skye’s forehead. “An artifact reacted to you when you touched it?”
“Didn’t you hear what I just said? It fried me with power!” I mulishly crossed my arms across my chest.