Grave Destiny (Alex Craft, #6) - Kalayna Price Page 0,11
That definitely sounded bad for the shadow courtier.
“The queen requests us both in court immediately,” he said, turning to me.
Requested. Right. More like I had no choice. But we couldn’t leave yet. The moment both men left my office, their oath would be complete and they would likely attempt to kill each other. At least one would most certainly succeed. While I would be sad if Dugan died, in the same way someone would be sad when anyone was killed, the idea of Falin getting injured hurt something deep inside me. It was the difference between dragging someone out of the way of a bullet, and being willing to take that bullet for them. Which meant I had to find a way to ensure there was a more encompassing truce between the men before we left this building.
“I’m assuming she wouldn’t ask for me to be there if it were truly that clear-cut?” Though she might. She had a grave witch in her territory, an independent fae who couldn’t ignore her summons—why wouldn’t she use my magic when bodies showed up in her hall. I wasn’t the most knowledgeable about fae laws—I’d only found out I was fae about half a year ago—but from what I understood, as the ruler of the territory I resided in, the queen could demand my presence, but she couldn’t force me to use my magic. Oh, she could find a creative reason to have me tortured, I’m sure, but I was Sleagh Maith, the noble line of Faerie, and that awarded me certain rights.
Dugan had been silently studying us—or perhaps simply digesting the implications of what Falin had said—but now he crossed his arms over his chest and said, “I am already in the middle of negotiations with Alexis. I hold a prior claim to her investigating these deaths.”
Falin visibly bristled. “Being granted a consultation does not award you any claims on a winter resident.”
This was getting us nowhere.
“You want me to investigate this to what end?” I asked, looking at Dugan.
“To the end of preventing a war, as I said earlier.” He hesitated, a frown etching itself deep as he studied my face. He seemed to come to some conclusion because he continued by saying, “With the solstice tomorrow, winter is heading into the peak of her power. King Nandin would not appreciate my candor, but the truth is that if war were to start now, it would be very poor timing for our court. I do not wish to risk the wrath of winter in her prime. I honestly did not expect the knight to find me here, and certainly not so quickly. I would not have risked this conversation in this manner had I known it appeared our fae assassinated a noble.”
“You didn’t know?” Falin sounded skeptical. “And yet you clearly knew about the deaths before we did.”
Dugan gave him a half shrug. “Even the icy halls of the winter court have shadows, and shadows will whisper their secrets to those who listen.” He lowered himself into the chair across from me, his expression distant, thoughtful. “But I’m not sure if it was luck or design that we heard about the deaths. We heard nothing about how, why, or by whom the fae were killed. We knew only that our fae was dead in your halls, and that one way or another, he shouldn’t have been there.”
I turned to Falin. “Do you know anything more?”
“Not that I’ll share in present company.”
No shock there. But not helpful. I also had to wonder how my father tied into all of this. The deaths had to be the case he’d mentioned, though who had he expected would approach me? Had he known Dugan had entered Nekros? Or did he anticipate the Winter Queen’s summons? She’d called for me before when a body had turned up in her court. But how had he known about the bodies in the first place?
“If the queen is requesting my presence, it sounds like I’ll be raising these shades one way or another. I don’t think there is anything we need to negotiate,” I said, turning to Dugan. Which kind of sucked. Dugan had mentioned paying me—the queen was unlikely to make such an offer and I would have to negotiate carefully to get any form of compensation for the rituals. Tongues for the Dead really needed the business, especially if I was going to end up doing it regardless.
The prince frowned and shook his head. “If you are