Page 64 of Queen’s Gambit

‘We need to go, Trouble. I want to clear the woods before nightfall. You can talk on the way.’ Curiosity flashed over his features. ‘What were you talking about? And before you make any plans, Lily gave me a map of Niersen’s castle. We’ll talk about entry routes on the way.’

Tova shot me a pleading look.

‘We were discussing our strategy for after the castle. Why didn’t you tell me about the map earlier? I gave myself a headache thinking about how to get in.’

‘You thought I’d set out without researching my kill?’ Irsha shrugged. ‘I’m insulted.’

‘You haven’t been yourself lately.’ I moved to the door, but he stepped in my way.

‘Your dress—you can’t travel like this.’ He gestured towards my Dark Sister garb.

‘Because the beasts in the forest won’t attack a high fae lady?’ I shrugged, but Irsha didn’t relent.

‘I’m not taking any chances. Change. We’ll wait with the horses.’

Half an hour later I sat on the horse, dressed up like a virgin for the peasant fair and feeling ridiculously naked without my hood and mask.

‘If we don’t see anyone worthy of this dress, you’re wearing it next time, Blade,’ I said when he lifted me onto the saddle, forcing me to sit in front of him with my head on his chest.

‘Oh, I love it and can’t wait to see the king’s reaction when I tell him how we travelled.’ Tova sniggered from his pony. The mention of Rey tightened my chest.

I wondered where he was and what he was doing. Was he already leading his army, hoping I would somehow neutralise the magical threat?

My breath hitched, and I gestured for Irsha to head out.

‘Let’s go. The sooner we do this, the better.’ I turned to Tova. ‘And not a word to Rey. He might understand, but it will hurt his feelings.’

We left without fanfare. No one in the garrison came to send us off, and I preferred it that way. We followed the road until the sturdy military buildings disappeared from view, then Irsha headed for the trees.

The forest closed around us, dense enough to feel claustrophobic. The heavy green canopy obscured the sun, drowning the forest floor in semi-permanent twilight. Only the path itself caught any light.

A perfect place for predators to hunt. And I was wearing a gossamer fae dress.

Thankfully, nothing attacked, and after a few hours, Irsha’s shoulders relaxed.

‘There should be a pond or lake nearby. We’ll rest there and water the horses,’ he said, frowning over the map.

‘And the warning sign is there because…?’ I pointed to the Observer mark signifying a threat.

‘Likely a predator nearby or swamps. We’ll soon find out.’ He forced a smile and ducked under a stray branch that almost hit me in the face.

‘Well, one way or another, we need to stop before I piss on the horse,’ Tova interjected, swatting the fat, opalescent fly circling around his sweaty forehead.

I suppressed the snicker, only to gasp in awe when, a moment later, the trees opened onto a lake.

The water shimmered like crystal beneath the sun’s rays. The oaks, ashes and hornbeams dominating the forest gave way to willows and birches, their dainty branches hanging above the water. Gentle grass slopes led to the shore, with a small sandy beach where we could set up camp and wash off the journey’s dirt.

‘Gods, this is beautiful,’ I muttered when Irsha helped me off the horse. He grasped the horse’s reins and led the animal to the water. Tova followed suit, and I’d rarely seen my friend moving so quickly.

I didn’t rush, savouring the view. My mother would have loved it, especially the weeping willows that, together with apple trees and cherries, were her favourite.

Movement in the reeds caught my attention. A flash of long golden hair flickered, disappearing as I took a step closer.

Did we scare off another traveller? If the girl were bathing, I’d better wrangle my companions so she could get to her clothes undisturbed.

I turned to warn them, and my heart stopped.

Both Irsha and Tova were already in the water, wading into the depths.