Veil of Shadows by Jennifer Armintrout Read Free Book Online

in the Underground. Not just the horrible violence of her last few days there. She would never forget the sickening rush of exhilaration she.d felt at the sight of battle, or her sorrow at watching her parents cut down before her; those images would force themselves into her mind every time she closed her eyes, and chase away any happy thought she might begin to feel, she was certain. But she would always remember the awfulness of the lives lived by the creatures there, the scrabbling for sustenance, the very real possibility that something could come out of any one of the shadows and end the life they struggled to lead.

    She would not live in such a way, nor would she allow anyone she cared about to, if she could help it.

    If the days were interminable, the nights were only slightly less so. But the evenings, they were nearly pleasant. Once the sun set, a change would come over the Fae. Probably relief. Cerridwen felt this every day that passed. The setting sun showed them that they were one day closer to their destination, that soon they would be quit of the ship and one another, free to seek out new companionship in the Upworld settlement. Free to set up new lives not encircled by walls.

    A few of the Faeries had brought instruments in their flight from the Underground, drums and whistles and pipes, and a harp. They assembled on the deck, under the night sky dazzled with stars, and played until the dawn lit the sky. Sometimes, the Human sailors would come and watch them, but always from a safe distance, always wary.

    Cerridwen watched, as well, because she was not fool enough to think that she could truly be a part of it. But being near the others was enough to make her feel less lonely, and so she watched them celebrate their journey.s progress.

    On the fifth night, Bauchan approached her, practiced smile in place. “And where is your mate? I have not seen him any night yet, when everyone else is here.”

    She would not let him goad her into giving anything away, not even her unhappiness. “He is tired,” she said with a shrug. “And he does not care for parties.”

    “Too tired to dance with his lovely betrothed?”

    Bauchan clucked in disapproval.

    “Too tired for disrespectful celebration in the wake of terrible tragedy,” she replied coolly.

    The humor fled Bauchan.s face, and his eyes glittered like those of the great, sleek sea creatures that bumped and brushed against the hull of the boat as they slept at night.
    “Tragedy, yes. The death of your mother, the Queene.”

    “And countless others, and the destruction of our way of life.” She held his gaze, hoped he would see something of her mother in her.

    “But no such a tragedy for yourself? You will be Queene, after all.”

    Be cautious, she warned herself, but her anger was far stronger than her restraint. “Not all of the Fae in the Underground have survived,” she snapped. “Many of them died at the hands of the Elves and Waterhorses because they would not turn their back on their true Queene.”

    She had said too much, but she did not care. Her hands trembled, her chest jerked with her angry pulse.

    “I have upset you.” He tried another harmless smile. “It seems I cannot say the right thing when I am near you.”

    “I am sure it is not just me.” She would give him no foothold. “Why does anyone fall for your obvious manipulations?”

    Hatred, she had learned long ago, looked especially ugly on a beautiful face. Bauchan was more beautiful than most, so on him the effect was terrifying. “You should watch your step, little one. I may have underestimated you, but I know exactly the kind of creature your Cedric is. I can turn him from you in a moment.”

    She laughed at the absurdity of his arrogance. No power on Earth, the Upworld or the Underground, could make Cedric betray the last promise he.d made to her mother.

    “You do not believe me?” Bauchan.s voice was as cold and deadly as a blade. “I turned Flidais, ever