A Queen of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales 4)

“Dragon,” Miss Smith said by way of greeting as she passed by.

None of the cursed staff called me sir. It was a sign of respect amongst them, apparently. I had no idea why or what that meant, but also didn’t care so didn’t ask. I just watched out for that big purple dildo and that dipshit Liron.

The clock chimed down the hall. The faeries were supposed to be dining with the royals in half an hour. They needed to be ready for their walk down the stairs to show off their…sparkle or clothes or whatever it was that people wanted to see. That was why Hadriel had hastened to check on them, I’d wager, but Leala needed him to put the finishing touches on Finley. It wasn’t like him to run late.

“No, please!” I heard from down the way, a woman’s voice. She sounded like she was in anguish.

My heart skipped a beat and then I was running, shedding the silly slipper-shoes and staying as silent as possible. If some assfuck was forcing himself on a lady, I didn’t want him knowing his death was coming until I was looking him right in the fucking face. I liked surprising people with extreme violence.

“Please don’t,” the lady cried, unshed tears in her voice.

Two rooms up, the one with the door slightly ajar.

I forced myself to slow a little so that my footsteps were nothing but a whisper. My ears tuned in, my hearing having always been good but now fucking excellent since the demon dungeon. When the darkness cut out your eyesight, you learned to rely on your other senses. I was an apt pupil at surviving.

“You can’t tell, Hadriel, please,” I heard, and I stopped up short, two paces from the door.

My heart still thundered in my ears. Confusion raced through me.

“Listen…”

That was Calia. I knew her voice. The other must’ve been her sister, Dessia. The lady hardly spoke, so I hadn’t recognized it.

I looked around, getting my bearings. Yes, that was their room.

“All she wants is to stay hidden,” Calia went on in a calm, even tone, presumably speaking to Hadriel. “You wouldn’t even know any of this if you hadn’t barged in here. In this, Hadriel, ignorance really is bliss, I promise. We’ve just told you why. We’ve told you her history. Please, have a heart. Keep this to yourself. She deserves peace and safety, doesn’t she, after all she’s been through?”

“Of course she does, lamb,” Hadriel replied, and his voice reduced to a faint whisper. I doubted anyone but me would have the eavesdropping capabilities to pick up his next words. “But she puts everyone at risk, and I will not let any harm come to Finley. It’s my duty to watch her back, and you must see the threat Dessia poses.”

“She’s no threat,” Calia said earnestly. “Not to anyone. Not at all. Please, Hadriel, we explained why.”

I leaned in a little closer, trying to catch every word as she went on.

And then I wished I hadn’t.

TWENTY-THREE

Finley

Three months later

This was it.

This was the elixir that would give Nyfain his wings back…unless it didn’t.

I took a deep breath and, with shaking hands, poured the powder into the mug with the other ingredients.

“Hey,” Hannon said softly as he entered the shed. “Sorry I’m late. Arleth asked that I create another one of the illuminated plants.”

Although we still didn’t understand why Hannon had the ability to create the illuminated plants, he’d figured out how to make more by “sprinkling” his power. His animal would only do it sparingly, though. He’d sprinkled my garden, and he’d sprinkled a few of the plants in the main everlass field, but that was it. He hoarded the rest of his power for when it was needed to defend his kin and community.

I wasn’t complaining. Sprinkling a few plants was plenty. The leaves kept growing, and in my tests so far, they seemed to work wonders. I hoped they did for this concoction as well.

He stopped beside me and looked down at the mug with the mixture in it.

“This is it?” he asked.

I took a shuddering breath, bracing my hands on the table’s edge. “This is it. It has blood from Govam, the most powerful of the demons, the healing mixture the demons love, and the illuminated everlass. I think the illuminated everlass will essentially bridge the gap between Govam’s power and that of the demon king. If I didn’t have the everlass, I think I’d need Dolion’s blood, freely given. Which…would not happen. You might’ve saved the day, Hannon. Hopefully. We’ll see if it’s enough.”

Tears filled my eyes, and I backed away.

“What if it doesn’t work?” I asked softly. “What if I wasted all this time and effort and it doesn’t work?”

“Hey, hey.” Hannon rubbed my back, careful to avoid the strips of my scales. “So what if it doesn’t work? You’ll keep trying until it does. You’ll find the solution, Finley. You always do.”