Chapter Thirty-Six Riela
Chapter Thirty-Six
Riela
Garrick settled onto the throne and his magic lingered for several long moments before he called it back. How one person,
even an Etheri sovereign, could contain so much magic, I didn’t know, but Garrick didn’t seem the least bit fatigued.
Grim and I were standing behind Garrick’s right shoulder, and I had to focus to keep my knees from giving out. Grim’s magic
had helped, but Garrick’s power had been overwhelming.
I thought about my offer to draw out the Blood King and silently laughed at myself. No wonder Garrick had been so against
it; I would’ve died instantly.
Without the oppressive magic keeping them pinned, the people of his court cautiously began to rise.
A stunning woman was the first to approach the throne. She had soft gray skin, like clouds full of rain. Her silver hair was
caught up in a complicated updo of swoops and curls, showing off pointed, diamond-shaped ears with edges that were gently
serrated like a leaf. Her wide violet eyes were full of an emotion I couldn’t quite read, though her expression remained mild.
Her gown was a mere whisper of gauzy amethyst fabric that draped beautifully over her lithe frame. She bowed deeply, giving
us a view straight down her bodice. “Welcome back, King Stoneguard.”
Garrick’s smile was filled with true warmth. “Thank you, Lady Bria.” His magic rose and a smaller chair appeared on his left.
It faced him, rather than forward, but I couldn’t help but think it looked like a chair fit for a queen. “Join me.”
She smiled beautifully and climbed the stairs with effortless grace. Jealousy absolutely did not curl around my heart like a vicious, possessive dragon. It was only the magical tether to the door, reminding me it was there.
Or so I told myself.
Curious violet eyes swept over me, but her thoughts on my presence remained hidden behind a perfect mask. Bria settled next
to Garrick with an ease that spoke of long familiarity.
Jealousy stabbed me again, even as I reminded myself that Garrick wasn’t mine. This was where he belonged, and he’d never promised me anything else.
But he could’ve had the good grace not to fawn over another woman mere moments after kissing me senseless. Pain and anger
joined the jealousy, and I clenched my fist against their bite.
With a wave of his hand, musicians started playing again, and I realized that here in Lohka, it was evening. The Etheri of
the Silver Court were dressed in delicate, fashionable evening wear, and I was wearing my own ratty tunic that I’d taken a
knife to in order to create a bandage for Garrick’s shoulder.
The gulf between us had never been greater or more obvious.
“What of the court, Bria?” Garrick asked, his voice low. A tiny flicker of moonlight magic rose, encasing the four of us in
a gossamer bubble. “Speak freely.”
“Your cousin wants you dead. He had half the court convinced you already were dead, except he couldn’t control the castle or the land, and no one else could, either. But he hasn’t been a bad ruler, all things considered. He’s kept the other courts away, for the most part.”
“Then I won’t have to kill him unless he gives me a reason.”
“He will,” she said without a hint of doubt. Her expression held more than a little reproof. “Especially after that display
earlier.”
Rather than snapping at her, Garrick smiled, though it looked more like a baring of teeth. “He’s welcome to try.”
“Don’t underestimate him,” Bria warned. “He doesn’t have your power, but he’s made many allies. You’ve been gone a long time,
darling.”
Garrick’s expression didn’t change at the endearment, but he peered at Bria more closely. “And how have you fared in Koru’s court?”
Bria laughed and it was like the delicate tinkling of glass bells. “You know me, Your Highness. I always land on my feet.”
Her gaze slid over his shoulder to meet mine, but her question was for Garrick. “Tell me, how have you broken the curse?”
“I haven’t,” Garrick said flatly. He did not elaborate.
Bria pouted at him, but it only lasted a moment before her expression turned serious. “If you want to protect her, you’ll
need to do better than that. If I can see the magic binding her to the door, others will, too. She’ll be a target.”
“I’m aware,” Garrick ground out. “She’s under my protection. I’ll kill any who think to touch her.”
Bria raised one perfect eyebrow. “As if that will make her safer,” she scoffed. “You might as well paint a target on her and declare open season.”
Being talked about like I wasn’t standing right here was infuriating, but I held my tongue. Until I knew more about the court,
silence was my best weapon.
“I’ll be sure to make a lasting impression with the first person who tries,” Garrick vowed. “The rest will think twice.”
Bria hummed under her breath but didn’t contradict him. “At least let me fix her attire. My sister’s clothes should fit her
well enough until we can get her something better.”
At Garrick’s hard look, Bria bowed slightly and her expression turned serious. “I mean her no harm, Garrick. I vow it. And
I will protect her life with my dying breath.”
Garrick glanced at me. “Would you like to change clothes?”
I glanced down at my dirty, bloodstained tunic, then up at the glittering Etheri of the Silver Court. I absently rubbed at
the ache in my chest. “Are we planning to stay long enough for it to matter?”
Garrick’s sharp gaze followed my hand. “It would be best for us to stay through dinner, if you are able.”
“At least through dinner,” Bria added. “Leave any sooner and the court will riot. You’ll have to fight twice as hard next time, and they’ll know your weakness.” Her look told me exactly what—or more specifically, who—she thought was Garrick’s weakness.
And she wasn’t wrong.
“Through dinner,” I agreed softly. “I will make it work.” Garrick’s eyes narrowed, but I continued before he could either
ask about my chest or offer to leave earlier—an offer I would dearly love to take. “And while I would like clean clothes before
dinner, I’m not sure it’s possible.” I pointedly lifted my arm where Grim still gripped my elbow.
Garrick’s jaw tightened as my meaning sank in. A weighted glance passed between him and Grim, then the jurhihoigli bowed his
head. “She is safe with me, Your Highness. I will not make her uncomfortable.”
“See that you don’t,” Garrick growled.
Grim made some sort of subtle gesture and Hania materialized from the crowd. She bowed to Garrick, then climbed the steps
and took Grim’s position.
Bria rose with a movement far too graceful to ever be mistaken for human. She patted Garrick on his shoulder. “Be good and
don’t kill anyone while we’re gone.”
A smile cut across his face like a blade, gleaming and deadly. “We shall see.”
Bria shook her head, then turned to me and curtsied. “I am Lady Brialor Dáfaoiansia, but you may call me Bria.”
I bobbed an awkward curtsy of my own, which made her smile widen. “I’m Riela.”
“Come with me, darling, and we’ll get you fixed up in no time.” Bria offered her arm, but when I glanced down at Grim’s grip,
she quickly changed tactics, fluttering around me like a particularly beautiful bird.
“Can she travel through the ether, Lord Vastien?” Bria asked, her voice quiet enough that only Grim—who was apparently nobility—and
I could possibly hear her.
“I don’t know,” Grim admitted. “Garrick has traveled with her in Edea, but here the risk is greater.”
“Then we shall walk.” We were the same height, so Bria easily met my eyes. “The court is dangerous, but Vastien and I will
protect you. Do not acknowledge anyone. Keep your chin up and your mouth closed, and we’ll get you through, darling.”
With that warning, she fell in on my right side, and we descended into the most beautiful and deadly crowd I’d ever seen.
After weeks with only Garrick and Grim for company, the sheer number of people was overwhelming. I’d never done well with
crowds, and this group was far larger than even the busiest festival night at the village tavern.
I edged closer to Grim, and he squeezed my arm. His gaze roved over the gathered Etheri, likely looking for threats. The crowd
parted before us, but I heard whispers wondering if I was for fun, food, or fucking.
Many of the gathered Etheri had skin in shades of gray, from the deepest obsidian to the palest marble, and I wondered if
the Silver Court was named after its people or if the people were mimicking the court. Natural glamour might fade in Lohka,
but the gathered Etheri were wearing plenty of magic.
Several people had skin tones that looked nearly human, but careful glances at ears and eyes confirmed that they were indeed
Etheri and not human mages. Still others had jewel-toned skin, or skin that was covered in a layer of fur or hide. Some had
antlers or wings or cloven feet, and I couldn’t tell what was real and what was illusion.
A flash of familiar color caught my attention. A gorgeous man with pale, silvery blue skin and dark, blue-black hair stepped
out of the crowd. His tunic was an expensive sapphire, but it was the magic surrounding him that caused my breath to catch.
It was a shade of blue nearly identical to my own.
His eyes narrowed on me and his magic rose, but when Grim glared at him, he inclined his head and melted back into the sea
of bodies.
Who was that? I craned my neck to look for him, but he had disappeared. Grim’s fingers tightened in warning, and I belatedly remembered
I wasn’t supposed to acknowledge the crowd.
We were nearly through the room when a man with glimmering gold skin, sharp green eyes, dark hair, and a set of antlers that
looked like a crown refused to step aside. His smile was as wide as it was false. “Bria, pet, what have you here?”
Silver magic crackled around Bria. “It’s Lady Brialor to you.” Her voice could’ve frozen water.
“Step aside,” Grim commanded, his own magic rising.
An ugly emotion crossed the unnamed man’s face before he smoothed the smile back into place. “I merely wanted to welcome the