Chapter 44

I was sure I hadn’t heard Varaux correctly and I stood, taking a step closer to him. “You say you let in shadow kin?”

“Not exactly, but I let in an Unseelie when we had the odd banquet.” He bowed his head to Avery. “Forgive my obstinance, Your Majesty, but what you did is just not done. Ever.”

Avery pushed up, wincing and her breathing turned to pants for a few seconds. “Do you think the shadow kin came in with one or more of our guests?”

“I know it.” Varaux nodded as though he was quoting facts.

“How do you know?” she asked.

“Well…because they are Unseelie. Evil. All of them.” He made a sour face, his words full of hate.

“Did you see anyone do anything suspicious?”

“They all are dark Fae, my lord.”

“Thank you, Varaux.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “We will do everything we can to keep everyone safe.” Didn’t need Varaux spreading false rumors. “Please fetch Helga to tend to Avery.”

The Brownie grumbled a huff but disappeared.

I turned to find Avery watching me. “You didn’t tell him about the two shadow kin.”

“No.” I shook my head, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Panic never helped anyone. Though we will have to warn the staff of the danger soon, but Varaux has a habit of exaggerating troubles.”

“So, I noticed.” She smiled, folding her arms across her stomach. “I’m feeling better. Might could have that bowl of broth you promised me.”

“Once Helga gets here, I will fetch you the biggest bowl I can find.”

She made a small face like she was in pain.

“What is it?” I leaned back, searching her expression. “Are you in pain?”

“I’m fine.” She laughed lightly. “No, it’s just I usually don’t like soup unless I’m sick—not injured. Yet, the thought of simple broth is making my mouth water.”

“Good sign then.” I smiled, taking her hand in mine. Another band around my chest eased some of her seeming to be healing more. I leaned forward, kissing her lightly on her mouth.

“None of that for now,” Helga said from the doorway.

Avery let out a giggle against my lips, then eased back. “Morning, Helga.”

The Fae dipped into a curtsey. Her white hair was piled on top of her head with a few wisps around her face, softening her wrinkles. “Good to see you awake, your majesty.”

“Please, I’m just Avery.”

“Make yourself useful, prince,” Helga snorted, “fetch the queen some broth.”

I winked at Avery before standing. “We were talking about that a mere moment ago.”

“Betcha were. Now off with ya before I toss cringle on ya.”

“Cringle?” Avery looked from me to Helga.

“An itchy vine,” I explained. “Similar to poison ivy.”

Her mouth formed an ‘o’ and she nodded.

I bowed my head before leaving to fetch her some broth. I followed the winding corridors with my mind mulling over dozens of questions. None of which I could share with Avery right now. Not until she recovered from her attack. I clenched my fists, silently cursing myself that she’d gotten hurt. That I hadn’t been here.

And she didn’t know about the delivery of the elixir or that whoever had taken the women before we found her was still at it.

The pain in my side flared and I winced. Well, at least I had been able to save those two girls.

I entered the kitchen and the head cook looked at me like she’d skin me alive if I got in her way.

“What do ye want?” She smacked a spoon against the top of the kettle she had been stirring.

“Her majesty needs a bowl of broth.” I wasn’t used to fetching things for anyone, but I added, “Please.”

The cook harrumphed. “I have a stew and can strain out some for a broth if ye don’t think it be too rich?”

“Should be fine.” I smiled.

Simeon shuffled into the kitchen with his silver hair tied in a loose knot behind his back. His clothes were disheveled like he’d slept in them. Couldn’t blame him. We were all worried about Avery.

“Can I have some coffee?” His voice was grainy, and he sounded tired.

“We’re not Earthside, remember?” I strode up to him. “And don’t insult the cook, I think she might be partial to serving up prince’s livers for irritating her.”

He nodded. “I’ll take whatever you’ve ready, Esera.”

“Impressive.” I clapped him on the back. Leave it to my cousin to know all the staff’s names, including hers. Darrius had hired her last month without consulting either of us. Then again, I stayed Earthside longer than either of them, searching for our queen.

Esera gave him a bow and handed him a steaming cup of froncha. The stuff was wicked spicy and hot. Kind of like a coffee mixed with whiskey and Tabasco.

Simeon blew across the liquid, then took a sip. A bit of color came into his cheeks as he did so. “How’s Avery?”

“Good. Better.” I rocked back on my heels, eager to return to her. Why wasn’t the cook hurrying up with her broth? “She’s awake now and Helga is giving her another healing.”

“She say anything about who attacked her?” he asked, his hand shaking slightly.

My cousin got like that if he didn’t drink or eat anything for too long. He probably hadn’t done either since Avery was attacked. Guilt plunged into my gut that I should’ve checked on him. He was the most sensitive out of all of us and would’ve taken Avery’s condition deep into his heart. Hell, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had slept outside Darrius’ chambers last night.

“No. Just a shadow reached out to her.” I scratched my cheek.

The cook chopped a gourd and one of the round seeds shot across the counter and rolled underneath another servant’s legs before stopping near the larder door.

“Does Helga think her memories were affected from her hitting her head?” He took a sip of his drink.

I frowned. “Not that I’m aware of, but you could be right.”

Simeon looked around with a frown on his face. “Where’s Darrius? He never misses breakfast.”

“He—uh—he already had some porridge this morning. And now he’s resting. Poor loaf stayed up all night watching over Avery.”

Simeon narrowed his eyes at me. “And I don’t suppose you had anything to do with his sleeping?”

“Of course not. Esera, is the broth ready?” I wanted to get back to Avery and find out if Helga’s second healing was working.

“So impatient,” she grumbled, but brought me a huge bowl. “Come back if she wants more.”

Good to see that many of my kind had accepted Avery as their queen despite that she’d been raised by an Unseelie, lived Earthside all of her life, and had hunted Seelie and Unseelie alike. Which I didn’t doubt that someone from one of the three kingdoms me and my cousins ruled hadn’t bargained with a dark Fae to bring shadow kin assassins into the castle to kill her.

I turned back to ask Simeon what he thought and if he wanted to join me to see Avery, but he was gone. His cup of french sat on the counter and was still full.

* * *

Back at Darrius’ chambers, I tapped on the door before I entered.

“Give me,” Avery cried, holding out her hands for the broth. “I’m starving.”

I handed her the bowl and she inhaled like I’d presented her ambrosia. “Thank you.”

Helga pushed the curtains back. “She’s done well, but I wouldn’t do anything to rush her recovery. If she handles the broth all right, she can have soft foods tonight. Tomorrow she should be as good as new with no restrictions.”

Which meant I needed to ensure she took it easy and didn’t try to fight dark Fae. “Understood. Avery, do you remember anything about the attack or what the shadow looked like?”

She shook her head, then winced. “Sorry, no.”

“Don’t stress her.” Helga slapped my shoulder. “Mind injuries need time to heal. It’s not instant like fixing a cut.”

“Yeah.” Avery swallowed, putting the bowl of broth she’d been so eager for a moment ago, onto the bedside table. “If I get up too fast or move my head too much, I get a migraine.”

Her words cut me. “Relax. We’ve got the whole day.”

“I’ll be back to check on you again this evening, Your Highness.”

“Avery.” She leaned back against the pillows, her face looking ashen. “Call me, Avery.”

I walked Helga out into the hallway, softly closing the door behind us. “Well?”

“It’s as I said, my lord, she needs time.”

“Do you think she’ll remember anything more?”

Helga shook her head. “Hard to say. She might remember the next minute or not for a month from now or never.”

So, we were no step closer to figuring out what kind of shadow kin had attacked her in the weapon’s chamber. I ground the back of my teeth, wanting to punch something.