House of Shadows (Royal Houses 2)

“This feels like old times. Sneaking out of the mountain to get in trouble.”

“No trouble tonight,” she said with a wink. “Just trying to make people like me as important as people like you.”

“You already are.”

She hid her blush by ducking into the secret passage that led out of the mountain. Valia had shown it to her during the tournament. It was shocking that someone knew this mountain better than Kerrigan did.

They exited out of an old wooden door and slid it back into hiding before heading out onto the streets of Kinkadia. Fordham still had a bit of wonder to his expression when he gazed around the city. After having gone into the depths of the Dark Court, she understood his awe. He’d spent countless years trapped inside a mountain with hardly any space to wander. Just enough for a small village stuck in time and a war field soaked with blood. Nothing like the vibrant, industrious city that Kerrigan called home.

They headed to the Square, where the protest was to begin, and found Hadrian’s blue hair as a beacon near an erected stage. Already, hundreds of humans, half-Fae, and Fae congregated in front of it.

“Hey,” Kerrigan said, grabbing Hadrian’s arm to get his attention.

Kerrigan had her hood up, so he jolted when he found her standing there.

“Gods, Kerrigan, you scared me.”

“Sorry. You with Clover?”

His gaze swept to the stage. “She went around to speak with Thea. Can you believe the number of people here?”

“It’s much bigger than the last one,” she agreed.

Hadrian nodded at Fordham. Fordham nodded back. Boys.

“Are you going to speak?” Hadrian asked.

She shook her head. “I can’t be seen. I’m on thin ice as it is in the program.”

“But they need you.”

“Look at this place. The Square is full. They don’t need me.”

“If you say so.”

She’d done her part. She’d helped to energize the RFA when they were getting the protests off the ground. She didn’t need to be up there on that stage now. It was enough.

“How’s Darby’s Season? I haven’t heard from her much.”

“Good, I think,” Hadrian said. “She was in the east for the Venatrix Night of the Dead event. So, she’s been out of the city all week.” He shrugged. “It was a whole thing that Lady Sonali insisted on.”

“Is she… courting someone?”

“Not that I know of. Not yet. Lots of interested parties,” he grumbled. “Not that Darby seems excited about any of them.”

“Yeah. How could she be?”

“Why is she putting up with this?” Fordham asked. “Forgive me, I don’t understand this courting ritual.”

“She feels obligated,” Hadrian said. “As a lady of the Bryonican court, it’s part of her duty. She loves the parties and dancing.”

“She wants to do it,” Kerrigan said. “Even if we all think it’s ridiculous, we will respect her wishes until she says otherwise.”

Fordham made a noncommittal noise.

That was about what Kerrigan thought of it too. But Darby had made herself clear. So, that was what they’d do.

Clover appeared then, and they all dropped the topic immediately. No reason to bring it up with Clover around. She’d been depressed enough.

“Oh, Kerrigan, you’re here!” Clover grinned widely. “I’m so excited. Look at the crowd!”

“It’s amazing,” Kerrigan said. “I can’t believe there are so many people.”

“All thanks to you!”

Kerrigan laughed. “No way. This is the movement. I was just a small part of it.”

“Give yourself some credit,” Hadrian said with a smile.

“Surprised you brought him along,” Clover said. She glanced at Fordham. “Prince.”

“Clove.”

“Fordham is here to support us.”

Clover shrugged. “I’m into it, but a lot of other people will be hesitant.”

“I am not a representative of my people,” Fordham said formally.

“Yeah, I know you’re into my girl,” Clover said with a mischievous grin. Kerrigan smacked her arm. “Anyway, Thea was wondering if you’d speak.”

Kerrigan frowned. “I can’t.”

“I told her as much but thought I’d ask. Will you come back and say hi at least?”

“Can Fordham come too?”

Clover worried at her lip. “Someone is going to be upset with me, but why not?”

Hadrian waved them off, promising to stay there until they returned. Then, the three of them ducked behind the stage. Thea stood proud and tall with the rest of the leaders of RFA behind her. Her bald head was on display today. No hat or headscarf in sight. She looked ready to take on the world.

Her eyes lit with excitement and then flitted behind Kerrigan and found Fordham. They rounded wide, like it was the last person she’d expected to see.

“Thea,” Kerrigan said brightly, “I’d like to introduce you to Prince Fordham Ollivier.”

“It’s a pleasure, ma’am,” Fordham said, bowing low for her.

Thea’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. A prince of a Fae kingdom known for detesting humans and half-Fae was bowing to a half-Fae woman. It was a sight to behold.

“Well, I can’t say I’m not surprised to see you here.”