When Magic Dares (Darkly Fae Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

her.
    What had the prince called him? Tearloch?
    From the marking on his jacket, he was of high rank in the royal guard. Perhaps even captain. He was one of the pair that had stood beside the prince when he called for an audience with her father. The one who had seemed almost impressed when she volunteered herself as prisoner.
    There was no sense of approval from him now.
    “Thank you,” she said as she preceded him up the stairs.
    At the top, she paused, waiting for further direction. In truth, she was surprised to be taken to the living quarters. She fully expected to be dragged into the dungeon upon arrival.
    Especially after the attack on the carriage. She could not be certain, but it seemed likely that her urgent raven to Callistra had precipitated the attack. It made sense.
    Not that she would mention that probably to the Moraine. Whatever conclusions they came to, she did not wish to point guilt in her clan’s direction. If it came to that, she would take full blame.
    The prince and his warriors had been silent the rest of the journey. She could not guess their thoughts.
    “Last door on the right,” Tearloch instructed.
    They walked in silence. Next to the imposing guard, she felt small. Delicate.
    She supposed some might consider her such. But only those who knew her not.
    At the end of the hall, Tearloch opened the ornate door, and gestured her inside.
    Rather than follow her in, he remained in the hall and closed the door between them.
    Arianne spun in a slow circle. “So this is to be my prison,” she whispered to the empty room.
    As far as prisons went, it was quite lovely. A plush bed, soft carpets, and a window that overlooked the courtyard. Of course, there were thick iron bars on the window. But if she transformed into her ainmhi she could likely squeeze between them.
    Assuming she had enough power to transform. Which she did not. She had not been able to transform outside her la ainmhi —the one day each month that fae must spend as animal in order to maintain their magic—since her sister left the palace. Since the curse that decimated her people and left them virtually powerless. She could no more transform into a fox than she could—
    “I see you are enjoying the view.”
    Arianne jumped and turned at the sudden intrusion. She had not heard the door open, had been too lost in her thoughts. Somehow, Queen Eimear stood but a few feet away.
    Arianne curtsied as deep as her gown would allow. “I did not expect such nice accommodation.”
    “Did you think we would throw the girl who nearly married my son into the pits?”
    The queen’s velvet slippers came into view. Arianne felt a pressure on her elbow as Eimear lifted her back to her feet.
    As she rose, their eyes met, and for a moment—just a brief, passing moment—Arianne felt as if she could tell the queen… anything. There was a softness in her golden eyes, a knowing gentleness. It was a look Arianne had once known well, but had not seen in many years. It was a mother’s look.
    It made Arianne ache for missing her own mother. For the talks they might have shared, for the guidance she might have given.
    Something in that look urged Arianne to spill her soul. To tell the queen everything—about her missing father, about her clan’s devastating curse, about the lies and secrets Arianne had been carrying to keep her dying clan alive. But as soon as the thought entered her mind, Arianne shoved it to the Everdark. None outside the Deachair knew of the curse. None outside her inner circle knew of Drustan’s absence. To tell anyone else these precious secrets would expose her clan, her people, to far too much risk.
    So, instead of confiding the heavy secrets within her, Arianne swallowed them down. Locked them away, where they couldn’t escape. Not even if she wanted them to.
    “I did not know what to expect,” she replied honestly.
    Over the queen’s shoulder, Arianne saw Tearloch standing just inside the door. Prepared to protect the