Tristan’s father paled visibly, his alabaster skin taut on his high cheekbones. “You will regret this, Izadora.” His eyes narrowed.
“I regret many things, Kildaren. But I always do what is best for this kingdom. As should you.” My grandmother rose slowly from the throne. “I will announce their betrothal tonight at the feast.”
I ran back to my room. I had heard enough. I had to talk to Penelope about everything I had found out and meet Tristan in the throne room.
Penelope was still not in her room. The guards then found me and informed me I had been summoned.
My grandmother was seated on her throne, a grim expression on her flawless face. Kildaren was gone and the dowager, Tristan, and Penelope were already standing below the steps. I bowed before the queen, and her gold eyes flickered as she regarded me.
“The codex is gone.” Izadora’s voice was sharp, cold. “Whoever has it knows Elfi’s deepest secrets. If this person is working for Morgana—”
“If this person is working for Morgana,” Penelope interrupted, “they know where the Book of Abraxas is hidden and will be going after it.”
“Penelope,” said the queen sharply.
“No, Izadora, Aurora should know the truth. You cannot keep secrets from the ones who must protect the book. I told you this would happen, I told you Morgana would stop at nothing to find it, and you didn’t listen. You thought we had more time, that she would never find a way into Elfi, but she has.”
“I know that,” snapped the queen, standing up and walking slowly down the three steps toward us. “That is why we cannot wait any longer. Aurora and Tristan’s betrothal must be announced tonight.”
“Tonight?” I tried to find any excuse to stall it. “Can’t it wait? We have more important things to do than have a feast when someone is after the book.”
“I have waited too long as it is,” the queen said. “We must prepare the army immediately and move to defend our borders. You must be perceived as one of us, or, as I explained before, the High Fae will not follow you into battle. The Grand Duke of the Night Court is here too, so it must be done now.”
Tristan was quiet. But I could see the silver swirls forming in his eyes.
“The feast will begin at sunset.” My grandmother moved her hand in front of her and formed a portal. “Don’t be late.”
She stepped through it and immediately shut it behind her.
The Betrothal
The grand hall was spectacular. Fae balls of light danced over our heads as usual, in time to the music wafting down from the upper gallery where the musicians sat, playing a lilting tune. The High Fae milled about the room dressed in all their finery, drinking from crystal goblets and dancing, oblivious to the threat of darkness that had fallen over their peaceful kingdom, the darkness that had followed me here.
The queen was seated on the dais in her customary place. To her right sat the dowager duchess and to her left the Grand Duke of the Night Court, Tristan’s father. Power surrounded him, and his dark eyes studied me when I walked in.
Erik stood behind the queen, his long silver hair tied back from his face, his arms crossed and legs slightly apart, seemingly bored. But I knew the lethal power that lay beneath that calm exterior. I had never seen Erik fight, but the way Tristan and Cade spoke about him, I didn’t have to. I could guess why he was the leader of the Elite.
Penelope was seated at the far end of the table, speaking to a council elder. I couldn’t see Tristan anywhere. I was alone as I walked up to the dais and bowed before my grandmother.
I had taken to glamouring my own clothes. The dress I had created was made of dull gold, similar to the one I wore in black but not nearly so revealing. My grandmother raised her eyebrows when she saw what I was wearing, and I thought I saw a flash of approval in her eyes.
I saw Cade leaning against the wall surveying the room. In his fancy clothes he still looked like a warrior. A deep maroon doublet with gold buttons complemented his flaming hair. He was very much of the Night Court and looked it.
I walked over to him. “Where’s Tristan?” I looked around.
“Eager to see your betrothed?” Cade joked.
I shrugged. “Just asking.”
Cade chuckled. “I don’t know, actually. I haven’t seen him. But Skye told me they were going to announce your betrothal tonight.”
“Maybe he’s not coming. He doesn’t want this marriage any more than I do.”
“That won’t stop them,” Cade snorted, jerking his head toward the dais where my grandmother and Tristan’s father sat. “Tristan told me why they want you two to marry. It is a strong alliance, and marriages within the High Fae are rarely ever spontaneous. Most of the noble families are very strict about who they marry. It all depends on political alliances.”
I nodded. Most of the nobility were like that. I knew one day I would have to face this issue, but I never thought it would be so soon.
My eyes scanned the room. Everyone was here; well, almost everyone. Andromeda had not come, and Aiden was nowhere to be seen either. In fact, there were no Elite here today besides Erik, who was always at the queen’s side, and Tristan and Cade.
“Cade, where’s Farrell?” Something was wrong. I could feel it nudging at my senses.
Cade shrugged. “He’s out on patrol—apparently there were some other attacks in the Day Court lands. Aiden took Farrell, Brice, and Daran too.”
I had seen Brice and Daran with Erik; they were much older than Tristan and Cade, part of Izadora’s Elite Guard.
That was strange. Why would Aiden need four Elite for a patrol? He and Farrell would
