“But I was wearing face paint. That’s like a disguise.”
“He’s right,” Amaryllis said, tucking the thread and needle into a sewing box.
“What am I supposed to do?” I scanned all of the troupe members that were hard at work. Sorek pounded heavy tent stakes into the ground. Humperstink gave orders to much taller men. Even Ogress hauled over the largest center pole off one of the wagons, and with her mighty strength, shoved it into the earth without even needing a shovel. I felt the impact reverberate through the ground.
Bravado tapped his finger on the side of the wagon. “Stay here. Help with set up, but don’t go where the crowds are, and stay away from the princesses. We will do our best to investigate any rumors ourselves.”
“Fine,” I said.
Bravado’s eyebrows shot up as if he wasn’t expecting me to agree with him so easily. “Honor,” he warned.
“You gave me an order. I was trained to obey orders,” I said simply, raising my hands in surrender. He shot Amaryllis a wide-eyed look, and she shrugged.
Bravado brought over the evening schedule for the first group of acts that would perform for the king, his daughters, and his most esteemed guests.
I stood, slipped off the back of the wagon, and made my way toward Sorek to help with setting up the tents.
Amaryllis and Bravado departed, splitting up and each heading to a group of people to prepare the rest of camp.
Sorek finished with the tent stakes, came over, and reached for the first canvas roll. I stood to help him lift, and he gave me a stern look.
“What kind of man would I be if I let you help when you’re injured? Not a good one. Go see if Humperstink needs help. I think the unicorns have been unsettled since the commotion.”
I knew they were probably fine, and he was trying to find something for me to do that got me out of the way, and unicorns were an excuse. I reached under the driver’s seat of the wagon and pulled out Rumple. His dangerous edges were covered with a thick leather pouch. His handle dropped out the bottom of the bag, and I had fashioned straps to wear him on my back. It didn’t seem as intimidating walking around with a leather bag on my back compared to an axe.
I knew that Rumple and the dwarf Humperstink got along great. As I was heading to the far back tents, a trumpet of fanfare gave me pause. An esteemed guest must have been arriving, and I felt a pull. Without thinking, I found myself walking toward the main entrance to see who garnered such a welcome.
Just as I stepped past the bushes, a retinue of elven soldiers entered through the palace gates. I frowned as I tried to figure out what court they were from.
I moved closer to watch the entourage arrive. In two long rows, the elves rode through the gates. Their leather armor was black with silver accents; their mounts were strange beasts taller than any steeds from the northern realms. It took a few seconds for me to comprehend they weren’t horses, but bear-like creatures.
The elven riders were silent. Their eyes were vacant and uncaring, as if they saw nothing, felt nothing—but I could feel the darkness within them. The fractured magic.
Southern elves. These were not the kind, loving elves of the Northern Woods. These were purveyors of dark magic. I stepped away from the gardens, and as soon as my foot touched the paved road, the air around me shimmered as another elf on a bear appeared before me.
How had I missed his glamour?
A sword touched my chest in warning. I looked up into the silver eyes of a southern elf. He didn’t say anything, but I could feel his ire; his warning to back away. His bear mount shifted, and I glanced down.
I couldn’t pull my gaze away from the size of the bear's massive paws, and the deadly claws that were only inches away. I missed it when the soldiers had spread out, and someone had dismounted from the largest of the bears before heading into the palace to be greeted by the king himself. With the black thorn crown, I knew it had to be Allrick, the current elder of Thornhaven Court.
“Thank you, Allrick,” King Leonel said. “I see you brought your finest warriors. I know with you protecting the princesses, Lorelai Eville and her adopted daughters won’t be able to lay a hand on my children or kingdom.”
Allrick bowed his head in acknowledgement, but it wasn’t a full bow. “We are here to serve and protect you as long as our agreement still stands. When the council of kings is over, you swear by your—”
“Yes, yes,” King Leonel interrupted, looking uncomfortable. “I will keep good on my promise. You just need to make sure. . .” The king’s voice trailed off as Allrick headed into the palace.
I tried to step closer but was met by a second elf guard. He raised his bow and pointed a black arrow at me.
The same kind that was found lodged in my mother’s chest.
Murderers.
I backed away, slipping into the gardens and away from them with an uncomfortable realization. Their magic was broken. It had a funny taste to it, and I found myself stepping back not from fear, but from the desire to draw closer to their magic.
No. I should stay far away. It was safer for me—and them. It seemed my curse found them extremely interesting, and that worried me.
By nightfall, the menagerie tents had been raised, and the first night of performances were well underway within the palace. Music was wafting out of the open terraces and into the gardens. I could hear the troupe’s musicians begin their melodic intros for each of the acts.
I stood on top of a stone bench on my tiptoes and was straining to catch a glimpse into the hall, but all I could see was the ceiling and the beautiful crystal chandeliers.
“Need a lift?” A deep voice came from behind me, and huge hands lifted me straight up into the air. I wobbled, and then found myself sitting comfortably on Ogress’s shoulder, my hand bracing against her moss-covered head for stability.
“Thank you,” I said.
“You’re welcome.” Ogress’s voice reminded me of stones tumbling down a mountain. The ogre and I watched as the jugglers were the first act up, followed by the acrobats. “When your sister, Eden, was with the troupe, she was the real showstopper. People came from miles to see the father-daughter duo. There was no other act like it.”
“I bet.” I smiled, remembering the poster of Cinder De Ella, the magical girl who disappeared into cinders before your eyes.
“And now she’s Queen of Candor,” Ogress said.
Between the performances, the orchestra played music. A low rumble came from the earth, and I felt a shaking sensation. I was prepared to jump, thinking there was an earthquake except it wasn’t. Ogress was growling in disapproval. I followed the direction of her glare. In the palace, I saw the blonde princess on the dance floor. She was the one that Grace had glared at earlier on the front steps. The young blonde princess was dressed in pale blue, looking as beautiful and just as angelic as ever. The other princesses followed, and each one was quickly claimed by one of the many gentlemen who came to the palace for a chance to woo a princess.
“Not right,” Ogress growled out.
“What’s not right?” I asked, adjusting my posture to try to see who was the suitor that was dancing with her. It looked like Lord Rasmen, the man who’d beat his servant in the streets.
“The stars are not fortuitous. I foresee death this night.”