Page 76 of Fallen Nocturne

She closes the door before I can respond.

We stand in the darkness, pressed together in the tiny space. Arescaine’s wings are still extended, still touching my hands.

Through the crack in the door, I hear Petal’s voice, bright and cheerful despite what must be a throbbing eye.

“My lords, gentlemen, if I may suggest, we have a much finer room available tonight. Compliments of the house. Better wine, better accommodations that are much more private.”

“Oh?” That is Kharlis. “How much more private?”

“Completely isolated. Perfect for... extended entertainment.” Her voice is composed, but I can hear the edge underneath it. The anger. “I could arrange for our best servers to attend you personally. You know how skilled they are.”

“Tempting,” one of the fae commanders says.

“Very well,” Kharlis agrees. “Lead the way. Your eye is rather distracting, girl. Cover it better next time.”

I hear Petal’s sharp intake of breath. “Of course, my lord. My apologies.”

Footsteps scrape across the floor. Chairs shift. Then voices and movement recede as Petal leads them away.

The silence stretches.

Then the closet door opens again.

Two more fae stand there, one with moth wings in shades of cream and silver. I remember them too.

River and Fleur.

“Fawn!” Fleur’s face lights up. “We’re here to get you and your prince out.”

Prince? I look at Arescaine. His wings fold tightly against his back.

“We thought you’d come back,” River says, his voice warm. Then his expression turns serious. “But we need to move now. Before they finish with Petal’s distraction.”

“What happened to Petal’s eye?” I ask.

River’s face darkens. “She spilled wine on a High Fae’s boot by accident. The soldier backhanded her across the room.”

The rage in my chest burns hotter. “The fae commanders did nothing?”

“They are all Highborn Fae,” Fleur says bitterly. “They said she should be more careful. One of them grabbed her afterward. He said if she was clumsy with wine, maybe she’d be better at other services.”

I stare at her, unable to believe what I am hearing.

“It’s been like this for weeks now,” River says, his voice shaking. “Fae soldiers and nobility come here and treat us like garbage.”

“The Fae King used to keep the noble houses in check because of the massive power imbalance between them and us,” Fleur adds quietly. “There was a balance, with punishments for those who crossed into lesser fae territories and took what wasn’t theirs. But something’s changed. King Eirik doesn’t punish those who break the rules anymore. The groundlings are frightened. Everyone feels it. No one knows who will be hurt next.”

“Something is wrong with the king,” River says. “People are saying he’s different now.”

“Come on,” Fleur urges. “Before they notice.”

We slip out of the closet. The private room is empty now, the evidence from the meeting still scattered across the table.

Petal appears in the doorway, slightly breathless. The bruise on her eye looks even worse in better light.

“They’re settled,” she says softly.

Her gaze shifts to me then, lingering as though she’s making sure I’m really here. “You came back, Fawn.”