Page 9 of Fae Games

“Get some rest,” she said. “You’re going to need every ounce of energy for tomorrow’s trial.”

Chapter 3

I always slept better after a swim. Something about exercising my whole body pulled me into a deeper slumber than usual, no matter what troubles plagued my mind.

The United Nations installed lead-lined swimming baths behind the Doolish town square and filled it with salt to scare away the faeries. Sicily and I would go a few times a week in the summer, depending on our moods, and right now, it felt like I had swum a hundred lengths. This was understandable, considering I’d nearly drowned.

Streams of morning sunlight shone from the window on the far side, illuminating the unmade beds. I yawned, watching the last of the girls enter the shared bathroom, and swung my legs out of bed.

The door opened, and Flora stepped in, already fully dressed and holding two steaming mugs. “I brought you a cup of tea.”

“Thanks.” I sat on the edge of the bed and accepted a mug.

“I didn’t think you’d be in the mood for a public breakfast after all that shit from yesterday,” she said, raising a shoulder.

“You’re right.” I placed the mug to my lips and took a sip—Earl Grey, the favorite of Captain Picard, but with cow’s milk. A bloody luxury and I was too nervous to savor it. “But I’ve got to show my face.”

“Why?”

“If I miss any news about the trial, they might carry it out in a secret location and declare me the loser.”

Flora’s lips twisted with disgust. “After what I saw last night, I’d believe anything about that lot.”

“Not a fan of the royals?” I asked.

“They were alright as long as you kept out of their way.” She took a delicate slurp from her mug. “But it’s hard to like people who are better off.”

“Yeah,” I muttered. How many years had Sicily and I spent bitching about faeries? I’d always thought that once you got wings, your life was a stroll down Easy Street. But there were levels within the society I couldn’t begin to comprehend. Intrigues and plots and backstabbing. “Poor duchess. I can’t imagine who would kill her.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” she said.

“No?”

“The Duke of Medietas in revenge for Lady Gala and the others stealing Helen’s magic and sending her to the Dark Fae Prison.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Why wouldn’t she attack the Fated directly?”

Flora leaned back, resting her weight on one arm. “Who knows?” She gestured with her mug. “My father bred all the king’s horses, and do you know what he used to say?”

“No?” I leaned forward.

Flora placed her mug to her lips and took a long sip. Whether it was out of thirst or a need to create a bit of suspense, I wasn’t sure. She seemed trustworthy enough, but my first impression of her hadn’t been great, as she had appeared to dislike Helen for being a full-blooded fae.

“Faeries live long lives and have even longer memories,” she said. “Some slight that occurred a century ago could have repercussions just when you didn’t expect.”

I frowned into my mug. That didn’t even make sense, considering the attack on the Duchess of Nevermore took place mere minutes after Helen’s dad discovered his daughter’s fate.

“Anyway.” Flora stood. “Get into the shower, and I’ll make a bunch of the others wait to accompany you to the dining hall. Safety in numbers and all that, eh?”

* * *

Apart from a particularly dazzling ray of morning sun reflecting the white tiles, nobody attacked us on the journey across the courtyard. Whether this was due to the remedial teacher and students surrounding me or Lady Gala being too grief-stricken to concern herself with my assassination, I couldn’t tell. I was just grateful to be alive and free.

The horses nickered their good mornings from the stable block, and songbirds tweeted from the polished black roof tiles. It was the kind of perfect morning for an all-day picnic in Doolish Park, except for the taint of last night’s atrocities.

Mr. Whittaker pushed open the castle door to the sound of excited chatter echoing down the stone hallway. He stepped inside, holding the door open for the rest of the class.

“What do you think’s happening?” I asked.