Chapter Text
The revel was loud and faeries were drunk on wine and cruelty. It was a classic night in Faerie.
Jude and Cardan were relaxed in their thrones above the whole situation. They had been in meetings all day, and neither of them had the energy to get involved.
That was when the Bomb appeared by Jude’s side, “We have mortals on the premises. Not glamoured, definitely up to something.”
“How many?”
“I have reports of five, but there could be more.”
After she disappeared back into the crowd, Cardan leaned over, “Do we have an issue?”
“We could,” she answered.
He grabbed her hand, and grinned, “Is it the fun kind of an issue?”
“No idea, but they’re mortals. We could play Alice is lost in Wonderland?”
Cardan’s smile went sinister as his hand tightened on her wrist, “My favorite.”
Cardan stood up, dragging Jude to her feet next to him. The faeries around froze when they noticed. But there were two men in the center that kept dancing, compelled by the music.
Cardan nodded to the guards which swooped in to grab the two. They were too caught in the dance to fight back and were shoved down to their knees in front of the dais.
They looked up defiantly, the taller black one started speaking, “You have no idea who you’re messing with.”
“You have no idea whose kingdom you just snuck into,” Cardan replied, pulling Jude closer to him, “Just because our queen is a mortal, doesn’t mean we have to welcome them into our spaces.”
The room was dead silent at that. Faeries could tell something was going on, but the two men didn’t know anything. In that silence, a clicking followed.
A man in a black suit with a cane topped with a crow walked in. He reached the dais, standing right behind his two men. “You are going to release my men, before this gets ugly.”
Cardan sat down on this throne, pulling Jude to pretty much sit on top of him, “And why am I going to do that?”
“Because I have someone with perfect aim, poised to throw a knife at your head.”
Cardan nodded to the guards to release the two men. “I’m guessing you aren’t here for an attack, because you wouldn’t reveal yourself.”
“My name is Kaz Brekker. And we have some faeries wreaking havoc in our territory. We thought you might be able to do something about it.”
“Who’s we?”
Two more people stepped out of the shadows, the woman spoke first, “Nina and Matthias, please to meet you.”
The taller man said, “Jesper.”
His red-headed partner added, “Wylan.”
“And who has a knife trained for my head?” Cardan asked.
“Inej,” Kaz answered. “But I would rather keep her where she is right now.”
“Fair,” Jude commented. “Wouldn’t want to reveal everything all at once.”
“And you would know a lot about that, wouldn’t you,” Cardan said, keeping his arm wrapped tightly around her.
“So, our issue?” Kaz asked.
Cardan sighed, “What do you want us to do?”
“Can’t you just command them to stop?” Jesper asked.
“It’s not that simple,” Cardan explained. “Out of Elfhame they have a lot of liberties, and they may not even recognise our authority.”
“Wouldn’t be a problem if you didn’t break the crown,” Jude said, her voice relatively quiet.
Cardan turned her head towards him, his hand on her neck, “Did I ask?”
She dropped her gaze, performing the submitting wife to Cardan’s powerful king that answered to no one, “No.”
“Okay then.” He released her and turned back to them, “We can come check out the situation.”
“You two?” Matthias questioned. “We were thinking maybe some of your men.”
Cardan leaned forward, menace in the movement, “Are you saying I don’t consider myself personally responsible for each and every one of my subjects?”
“No, of course not,” Matthias responded. “We would love your help.”
Cardan stood again, Jude being forced up with him, “Then lead the way to your transport.”
Kaz gave a sharp nod and headed towards the door. Cardan followed, grabbing Jude’s wrist to pull her along.
As they headed through the crowd of Faeries, the Bomb appeared next to her, “Alice lost in Wonderland?”
Jude nodded, reassuring her friend that she was fine, “You and Roach hold down the fort here.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” She disappeared back into the crowd.
As they exited the castle, a woman dressed in knives was waiting. Kaz glanced over at her and seemingly communicated something with his fingers and she nodded, disappearing back in the shadows.
Jude knew that the Bomb would have the Ghost on the woman, but Jude doubted he would be able to keep up. Even without the added Faerie silence, this woman was the true ghost of the world.
They reached a small boat that presumably led out to the ship in the distance.
“Orlagh is not going to be happy,” Jude muttered.
“Do you think I care how she feels?” Cardan responded. “I am her king, not the other way around. And I am your King, too.”
Jude stiffened, but before he said anything else Nina appeared at her side, “High King, may I take your wife for a minute?”
“Why?” He asked, keeping a tight grip on her wrist.
“To show her the room we have set up for her.”
“We will be staying in the same room,” Cardan said.
Nina looked over at Jude, who nodded quickly.
Nina then directed them to a room they could share and they were finally left alone.
Cardan released his grip on her wrist and brought her hand to his mouth to kiss it. He pulled her into an embrace to whisper in her ear, “I don’t know who is listening, but I wanted to apologize for how I treated you.”
“I suggested this game,” Jude whispered back. “and I know you aren’t typically your cruel self that often, but it is okay to enjoy it.”
Cardan walked them over to the bed, beginning to help her get out of her shoes and corset. “Do you think they are concerned for you?”
“Yes, definitely. Nina was trying to separate us. When we get to their land, I’ll continue to build their trust.”
“Perfect. This is why I love you. Always scheming.”
Jude smiled, “Now, I don’t know how long this journey is, but it’s late and our internal clocks are about to be messed up. Waking with the sun and all that. Let’s get some sleep.”
Cardan fell into the bed, wrapping his arms around her, “Good night.”