Aengus took Drayce’s position at my right and Rosalind stood to attention on my left, each holding swords at the ready. Osmos remained at the bottom of the stairs beside the podium that contained the oak sprite.
The gancanagh nodded and pushed the door wide open, revealing a wall of guards in silver armor, who marched to the foot of the stairs and formed a line. I suppose they were making their presence better known instead of hiding at the edge of the room. It gave me little reassurance considering the dreadful sound that approached.
Whatever manner of creature Crom Cruach was, he took his time in approaching the throne’s double doors. My gloved hand twitched toward the dagger on my sword belt. Perhaps this was a mistake. Perhaps I should have ordered this curse-breaker to give his information directly to the gancanagh. I squeezed my eyes shut. His name was Gerald. Despite our antagonistic beginnings, he was now a member of my court.
A pair of two-foot-long statues slid into sight, solving the mystery of the scraping sounds. They were both stout with rounded edges, the one on the left carved with oval eyes, a straight nose and a beard and the one on the left had swirls that represented the branches of a tree.
As the statues approached, another pair emerged from behind the door, followed by another and another until ten of the things moved of their own volition through the line of guards and toward the stairs.
My breaths shallowed, and I sat straighter in my seat, wondering if one of these was Crom Cruach when golden light filled the doorway.
I rose to my feet and placed a gloved hand on the hilt of my sword. Rosalind and Aengus moved from my sides and positioned themselves in front of the throne.
“Your Majesty,” boomed a voice so loud it rattled my eardrums. “Thank you for granting me an audience.”
Heavy, clanking footsteps entered the throne room. I squinted, noting that the guards didn’t react to the approaching figure, but they also didn’t prevent the sprite from cursing Drayce.
“Who are you?” I asked.
The light dimmed, revealing a golden statue of a man with hair as curly as Aengus, handsome features, and a pair of goat horns that curled back from its head. A gold cloak lay over his shoulders, fastened by a clasp shaped like a sword bisecting a shield. Like Aengus, he wore a short tunic that exposed muscular thighs and bare, metal legs.
I tightened my lips. Was the real Crom Cruach hiding within the golden statue or somewhere in the room? “Show yourself.”
With a fluid movement, the statue rose, and the golden cloak settled around its body as though it was made of cloth. The statue bowed with a flourish. “I am Crom Cruach.”
“What’s underneath the gold?” I snarled.
He chuckled. “Queen Melusina asked me the very same thing, and it led to three nights of unbridled pleasure.”
I swallowed back a mouthful of nausea, hoping Father hadn’t been around to witness that. He was probably a corrupted old man like the Keeper of All Things, who would likely make an abnormal advance as soon as he disrobed. I really didn’t need to know what he hid under that gold.
“Why are you here?” I asked.
“To offer you my services.” He straightened. “Your mother found me a very useful ally.”
Aengus descended the steps and tapped the hilt of his sword on Crom Cruach’s golden armor. “Where’s Melusina?”
“I don’t know,” Crom Cruach replied too quickly.
“Did she send you?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Such a feat would be impossible, considering I don’t know her location.”
“Why are you here?” I snapped.
Crom Cruach stepped forward. “If you would allow me to approach—”
“No.” Rosalind unsheathed her sword. “Tell Her Majesty whatever you need to say, and leave.”
For the next several moments, Crom Cruach didn’t speak. He also didn’t move, making me think he had turned back into a statue of gold. The stone figures in front of him also remained still, and a cool draft swirled around the room. I turned my gaze to the tall windows. Outside, clouds covered the sun, casting the throne room in dim light.
I studied Crom Cruach’s face. It was a perfect replica of a living creature, even down to the lump on the front of his throat. But I had no time to admire animated statues when there was a means of reaching Drayce.
“Guards, move those things out into the hallway,” I said.
“Please reconsider.” Crom Cruach inclined his head to the side.
“You haven’t proposed anything yet,” I replied.
He rocked back and forth on his heels. “I know how to save your king.”
I folded my arms across my chest, stared down into eyes carved out of gold, and didn’t respond. If he thought I would fall at his feet and beg for his help, he obviously hadn’t spent any time in the human realm. Father and Drayce’s reminders never to bargain with faeries rang through my ears. Queen Pressyne’s death proved to me that even faerie monarchs had their weaknesses.
“Osmos,” I said. “Report.”
“I sense no ill-will toward you, Your Majesty,” said my private secretary. “However, this is a being of malevolence.”
Crom Cruach turned his head to Osmos and snarled. Osmos lowered his horn, looking ready to skewer the other male through his golden head.
“How will you save King Drayce?” I asked.
His golden nostrils flared. “I can show you how to obtain a magical item that will wake him.”
“What is it?”
Crom Cruach raised a finger. “If I told you it’s name, you would never pay my price.”
“Which is?”
“The standard price for my information,” he replied. “Your firstborn.”
My breaths quickened. “What?”
“Queen Melusina never questioned my methods.” He swept his hands over the ten statues. “However, I can promise that I will immortalize your child as one of my idols.”
Cold shock barreled through my insides. I stared at the statues, the bodies and souls of my brothers and sisters, entombed for countless centuries, sacrificed by Queen Melusina.
My entire body stilled as icy hatred spread
