I waved goodbye to Tristan and ran after Cade. Who would have come all the way to Elfi to see me? And why?
My grandmother was seated on her throne, robes of silver flowing over an ivory gown. I bowed my head briefly before the queen of the fae, and Cade left.
“You sent for me?” I said, straightening up in front of my grandmother.
“Indeed I did.” Izadora’s face was a stone mask. She looked to the side, and a figure emerged from the shadows.
Standing right below the throne was Penelope Plumpleberry.
She smiled and my mood lifted instantly. She looked exactly the same. It had been so long, and I was so happy to see a familiar face. I moved forward to hug her and almost immediately stopped in my tracks.
Magic swirled around Penelope as her height increased and her face changed in front of my eyes. A tall and beautiful fae lady stood in her place. Her golden locks reached her waist, and her face was striking, with full lips and a small, slightly upturned nose. Her fae ears became more prominent, elegant and pointed, but her wide almond-shaped eyes were still a gorgeous bright blue and sparkled when she looked at me. She was unmistakably High Fae.
I knew those eyes; they were still the same. “Penelope?” I said, my voice barely a whisper.
Penelope nodded and opened her arms. I hesitated but only for a moment. Stepping forward, I hugged Kalen’s mother.
“But how? Why do you look different?”
“It’s a long story.” Penelope hugged me tightly. She was taller than I was.
My grandmother cleared her throat. “That is enough hugging for one day. Life in the outside world has made you soft, Penelope.”
Penelope moved away and smiled at the queen. “When did you become so bitter, Izadora?”
I was taken aback. I had never heard anyone speak to the queen of the fae like that. But she didn’t seem to mind.
“You’ve been away for a while, little sister,” said my grandmother. “Things have changed.”
Sister! Penelope was my grandmother’s sister?
Penelope raised an eyebrow. “I can see that.”
“But what were you doing living in Illiador for so many years?” I was still trying to get over the shock of seeing her like this.
“She’s Elfi’s most trusted informant.” The fae queen’s lips curved in an amused smile.
I looked at Penelope, my eyes as wide as saucers. “You’re a spy?”
My grandmother smiled fully, seemingly enjoying my confusion.
“For the last fifteen years Penelope has been my eyes and ears in Illiador,” said the queen of the fae. “I sent her there to assess the situation after your mother disappeared. She has been gathering information on Morgana and you all this time.”
I didn’t know what to say. For a glamour like this to hold for over fifteen years and remain undetectable by the most powerful mages was an extraordinary use of fae magic and could only be achieved by one of the greatest spirit-fae. I always assumed Penelope was a lesser fae, but it turned out she was not who she seemed at all.
“I will explain everything,” said Penelope gently. She glanced briefly at her sister. “But this is not the right time.”
Izadora waved her hand. “Go, get settled. I’m sure you have much to discuss.”
Penelope turned to leave.
“I expect to see you and Aurora in the council chamber at the next meeting,” my grandmother added. “The whole Elder Council will be attending. This is the time to cement alliances. War is coming and we must be ready.”
Penelope inclined her head, and I bowed and followed her out of the throne room.
“Penelope, what’s going on?” I asked as I fell into step with her. “Why are you here? Has something happened? Is Rafe all right?”
“We can’t talk here.” Penelope glanced around. “Follow me.”
We walked in silence through great arched corridors and up two flights of stairs to a suite of rooms that overlooked the gardens. Penelope knew exactly where she was going—she probably grew up in this palace. I couldn’t believe it. Penelope was my grandmother’s sister, my grandaunt, and I never knew. A spy. What was going on?
Once we were within the confines of the room, Penelope spoke. “Come and sit down, Aurora.” She patted the seat beside her.
It was still a little strange seeing Penelope like this, and I had to keep reminding myself that she was the same person who had helped me those many months ago when I was new to this world. It would take time, but I would get used to it eventually.
I sat down beside her and thought back to the fight with the Shadow Guard. The blow to Kalen’s head should have killed him. At that time I was so caught up with healing Snow I didn’t stop to think how Kalen had survived it. Now I knew—he was High Fae and had extraordinary healing.
I had many questions, but first: “How are Rafe and Kalen?”
She didn’t smile.
“Has something happened? Is Uncle Gabriel all right?”
Penelope nodded and shifted in her seat. “Yes, for the moment.”
“What aren’t you telling me, Penelope?”
Penelope cleared her throat. “When Rafe and Kalen reached Eldoren, the Blackwaters were ruling the council and Duke Silverthorne was still in the dungeons.”
I nodded, urging her to go on. “Did Rafe get him out?”
She put her hands in her lap. “It’s a long story.”
“Tell me.” Why was she being so cagey? What had precisely happened in Eldoren?
“Prince Rafael tried for days to get the council to listen and release your granduncle, but they wouldn’t budge.”
“What about the king? Surely Rafe’s father would listen to him, listen to reason.”
“The King of Eldoren is not what he seems. That’s why I left; the situation has become worse than I thought.” She took my hand in hers. “I’m afraid Lilith didn’t go far to find the body she needed.”
“What?” I pulled my hand back. “What do you mean?”
“She has killed King Petrocales and taken over his body. The outer shell may look
