Grave Destiny (Alex Craft, #6) - Kalayna Price Page 0,14

for part of it. I glanced at Dugan before turning to face Falin.

“Would the queen allow me to question the shades with Prince Dugan present?”

“He is an untrustworthy element who should not be within winter’s territory until this matter is resolved.”

I frowned at him. “Dugan in particular or all shadow fae? Because from what he’s said, this isn’t an attack on the winter court. Not one initiated by him at least. He has very plainly stated that his goal here is to prevent war.”

I could almost hear Falin’s teeth grinding, but to his credit, he considered it. Finally he said, “There are nefarious ways to prevent war.”

I wanted to throw my hands in the air in frustration. “What, do you think he sent his fae into the court so that he could demand to see the body in person and once he was allowed into the icy halls he plans to assassinate the queen?”

Falin didn’t answer.

Dugan rubbed his thumb and fingers over his mouth, and I wondered if he was trying to wipe away the desire to smile at my frustration. “If it helps,” he said, “as I have already stated, neither the king nor I sent Kordon to the winter halls. He was a quiet fae, and rather peaceful for a goblin. He was a masterful shadow-crafter who rarely left his workshop. I’ve known him since I was a boy, and I can’t imagine any reason he would try to assassinate a winter noble. I’m not sure how he would even know one of your nobles.”

Falin frowned at him. “Tonight the longest night of the year begins. All doors in Faerie will open to the winter court so we can join together to celebrate the changing of the seasons. Faerie will enact the ancient truce that binds all her residents during solstices and equinoxes. Will your right of open roads last until sunset?”

Dugan nodded. “And for several hours after.”

“Then with your oath that you intend no harm to the winter court, and will attack no member of our court, I will allow you to accompany us.”

I blinked at Falin in surprise. “Not that I’m complaining, but how did you just go from planning to try to kill him when he walked out this door to inviting him to go to a murder scene?”

“If he hasn’t violated the pacts in open roads, then technically, he can remain in our territory. I’d rather have him where I can keep an eye on him than let him wander around alone. Considering he will be invited into our lands in a few hours, I am only offering to extend the truce a short time.”

“And what reassurances will you offer me that this is a true invitation, and not a trick to let you drag me before your queen with no resistance?” Dugan asked, studying the other man.

I turned my exasperated glare on the prince. They couldn’t make this easy, could they? Of course, anytime I went to court, I feared for my own freedom, so I couldn’t exactly blame Dugan. A prince would make a good captive if war was imminent.

“I can make no promises on behalf of the queen, but I can give my oath that, short of a contradictory command from my queen, I will cause you no harm as long as you do not violate the hospitality of the court.” Falin turned to me. “But before I do, we need to reach an agreement with you. If we are both to hire you, it must be equally. Again, I cannot bargain on the behalf of the queen, but I can hire you for the FIB.”

That worked for me. I glanced at Dugan, and when he didn’t protest, I retrieved a client contract from my desk. The standard form needed quite a bit of augmentation. We ended up with a contract that included both a ritual for two shades, as well as hourly rates for investigation since I was apparently going to the scene whether I wanted to or not. I tacked on a hefty hazard fee per hour in Faerie, though I didn’t call it that. I tried to keep the guarantees in the contract as loose as possible—I had to raise the shades, but I didn’t have to solve the murders. There was a small financial penalty if I walked away from the case. I would only get paid for half my time if the case went unsolved and I was the one who decided to stop investigating, but