The queen extended a hand to the kneeling faerie, and greenery blossomed from her fingers. Long stalks of grass and willow withes wove together as they grew. Tiny flowers opened like stars on the green, and the living cloak settled over Fourth’s shoulders, returning her dignity.

The faerie clutched the cloak around herself and rose to her feet. Hatred blazed in her downturned lips and slanting eyebrows.

“Bitch,” the faerie muttered.

“Your assassin stabbed her in the guts with a katana,” Julie pointed out mildly.

The reminder made Val’s belly unclench, and she exhaled. That assassin—the one this faerie had sent—would have torn Sinatria limb from limb if Val hadn’t defeated him. Her guilt faded.

“What now?” Val managed.

“Clothes would be a start,” Merlin suggested, peeking between his fingers.

Julie elbowed him in the ribs.

“You’re free to go, Val.” The queen’s expression was somber. “I don’t think I have to explain the extent of your responsibility toward this faerie and the rest of the world. You’ve seen that for yourself.”

Val nodded mutely.

“I will remind you that legally, you’re responsible for her,” the queen added. “Her crimes are your crimes under Eternity Law. Don’t let her get away from you.”

Val exhaled. “I take that responsibility seriously, Your Majesty.”

The queen laid a hand on her shoulder. “I know you do.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Merlin’s suggestion might have annoyed the queen, but it wasn’t a bad idea. Val kept a close eye on Fourth as they walked out of the botanical gardens to the parking space where Genevieve waited, a moonlit masterpiece beneath the battlements. The faerie’s bare feet slapped on the stone, and she clung to her floral cloak, her eyes hard and unblinking.

“Let’s get you something to wear,” Val suggested.

The faerie glared but didn’t respond.

“I wonder where we’ll find something at midnight.” Val looked around.

Dylan materialized at her feet, apparently out of thin air. “Miss Stonehold.”

Val jumped hard. “Merlin’s hairy warts!”

“Do you require clothing for your charge?” Dylan calmly asked.

Val swallowed. “How did you know?”

“It is my business to know, miss,” Dylan informed her. He cast a disdainful glance at the faerie. “That attire is hardly appropriate for the palace.”

“It’s midnight,” Val pointed out.

“Yes, miss. Therefore, many nocturnal employees are on their lunch break,” Dylan told her smoothly.

Val grimaced. “Shit. Okay. Clothes would be great. The cops in New York have seen it all, but they’ll probably have questions about a half-naked chick in my passenger seat.”

“A valid point, miss.” Dylan disappeared.

Val fished for her car keys and led the faerie to Genevieve. The silence between them burned.

“What is that thing?” Fourth asked at length.

Val looked around. “What thing?”

“That.” Fourth waved at the Mustang.

“Genevieve? She’s not a thing,” Val snapped indignantly.

Genevieve raised a windshield wiper like a middle finger.

Fourth shrugged. “What is she, then?”

“A 1971 Mustang Mach 1 429,” Val told her.

The faerie stared at her.

“A car,” Val growled. “Haven’t you ever seen a car before?”

“No,” Fourth barked. “Until a few days ago, I hadn’t left Fernwood Deep. What is it for?”

Merlin’s nose hairs, Val thought. I thought Sinatria was feral.

“It’s for transport. You’ll see,” Val muttered.

Dylan showed up with a folded sweatsuit bearing the Eternity Throne’s crest. Val thrust the clothes at the faerie. “Go change behind the car.”

The faerie snatched them out of her hand and stormed to the other side of Genevieve before Val realized she didn’t have a choice. Her guilt clashed with the memory of the assassin’s katana slicing into her guts.

Fourth emerged from behind Genevieve, looking painfully human in the navy sweatsuit. She’d draped the living cloak over her shoulders. Val decided not to push the issue.

“Okay. Let’s go.” Val almost added, “Get in,” but thought better of it.

She slid into the driver’s seat. The faerie stood at Genevieve’s passenger door, staring at her.

Genevieve opened the door.

“Sit,” Val barked.

The faerie abruptly sat.

“Sorry,” Val muttered.

The faerie glowered. Genevieve buckled her seat belt and slammed the door.