“Temperance,” Malaki says, “I don’t have time for this.”

“The hell you don’t. You better damn well make time.”

He hesitates, and that’s all the opening I need.

I mouth thanks to Temper, and slip down the hall.

“Hey!” Malaki shouts after me, but then I hear Temper lay into him, and let me tell you, that girl knows how to rip a man a new asshole. I can still hear her when I turn down the next hallway, making my way to the front of the palace.

A few guards have broken away from Malaki; they now trail after me. If any of them disagree with my getting involved in this situation, they keep that opinion to themselves.

I enter the entrance hall and head towards the huge bronze doors leading out.

Can’t believe I’m doing this. Des wanted me to be his queen, and I fought and fought against that … And now I find myself here, eagerly taking on a threat to his kingdom.

The guards manning the main entrance open the doors for me, and then I’m passing them by, leaving the castle behind me.

I come to a halt when I notice them.

Sleeping soldiers are marching up the streets of Somnia, headed right for the gates, and there must be hundreds of them. These sleeping soldiers aren’t from the Night Kingdom. Some have flowers sprouting from their hair, others have feathers and tails.

This is what remains of the Thief’s stolen army. These are the victors, the ones who’ve been terrorizing the Flora and Fauna Kingdoms. The evidence of it is in plain sight—most of them are covered in gore, blood and other bits matted into their hair or else dried and discolored on their clothing.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned of fairies, it’s that they take grooming very seriously. Which makes the whole thing all the more ghastly. This army looks like the risen dead.

But despite their gruesome appearance, for once they’re not madly striking out. And they’ve come here of all places …

One of the royal aides bustles up to me. “My queen, we barred the ley line portals just like the king asked—they got through anyway.”

The Thief of Souls’ power … it eclipses that of a king.

“We took several of the soldiers down at the portal entrance, but they’re not attacking …”

I take an audible breath, and the aide stops talking.

“I’ll deal with them,” I say, still eyeing the soldiers.

The aide backs away, leaving me alone. Ahead of me, the soldiers march in orderly lines, their faces passive.

The moment they reach the gates, they stop. Their final footfall echoes through the streets, and then all is silent.

I take another deep breath and cross the yard, towards the fence that encircles the palace. As I approach the soldiers, I release my siren. My skin illuminates, and my stride turns a little sensual.

“You are not to harm any of the Night King’s subjects,” I shout, my voice carrying through the night.

Silence. Then—

“We’re not here for them,” one of the soldiers says. Her voice is quiet, yet her words seem to reach every corner of this city.

“Why are you here?” I ask.

“You know why,” another soldier says.

I don’t actually.

I stop several feet from the gate. “Enlighten me,” I say softly.

“Your days are few, enchantress,” one of the soldiers across from me says. “We look forward to spreading those pretty thighs of yours and seeing what a king’s treasure tastes like.”

It tastes like your death, my siren whispers.

Around me, the night darkens.

Des.

“The next soldier to threaten my wife will be openly eviscerated,” the Bargainer calls at my back, his voice ringing into the night. “And please test me.”

I spin to face him.

The King of the Night paces towards me, clad in his royal regalia. His bronze circlet sits across his forehead, and his three bronze war bands are on prominent display. He even wears a cape, and it should look ridiculous, fluttering and snapping behind him, but if anything it seems only to add to his menacing presence.

Des comes up to my side, his wings fanning out behind him. “I leave for one hour, and look what trouble my mate gets herself into,” he says softly, his eyes sparking. “You’re not even wearing your daggers. Have I not taught you better?” He snaps his fingers, and the daggers and their holsters manifest, fitting themselves around my hips.

Beyond him, Malaki is storming out of the palace. Temper saunters out behind him, looking pleased.

For the moment, Des and I have Somnia’s attention. His people watch from windows and rooftops and the streets below. The soldiers stare sightlessly forward, though I know that behind those seemingly empty eyes, the Thief of Souls lurks.

Des eyes them. “Why are you here?” he asks.

“Is it not custom for new rulers to meet?” a soldier replies.

As I stare out at the sleeping soldiers, I notice that among them are a few casket children. I have to bite back my horror at the sight of their sweet faces covered in gore, their eyes filled with malicious delight. Their bodies might be young, but whatever souls reside within them, they’re ancient, corrupted things.

“The Night Kingdom does not recognize your rule, Thief,” Des says.

For a moment, the only noise is the snapping of the Bargainer’s cape in the wind. Then a low laugh starts up among the soldiers. It raises my gooseflesh, hearing that evil laugh ripple amongst the line of them.

“For now.”

I step forward, my skin burning bright. “You’re so eager to acquire this kingdom, and yet here we all stand. I dare you to make good on just one of your threats and take me.”

Come for me, and I will rip you to shreds.

I’m not surprised when the air darkens. Des hates when I bait the Thief.

“Tempting,” the soldier says.

I open my arms. “Take me, Thief. Right here, right now. I know you want to.”

“Cherub.”

I ignore the King of the Night as I step closer to the edge of the property.

A great hush has fallen over the crowd. It was silent before, but now it’s as though the world is holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. I can feel a thick, dark magic pooling around me. Whoever the Thief of Souls is, his hunger presses down on me.

The first line of soldiers steps forward, until they’re right up against the fence. Grabbing their weapons, they lift them and strike out at the bronze railing.

Before their steel ever hits the fence, it collides with an invisible barrier—some strong enchantment made to ward off the enemy. The ward doesn’t simply hold, it blasts the line of soldiers back like an explosion, throwing them into their comrades.

Another line of soldiers steps forward and attempts to break the enchantment, and like the first row, they’re blown back. Then a third row comes forward—

“Stop,” I command.

Immediately, the crowd stills.

I look over the men and women, with their empty eyes. “You might be strong, Thief, but today won’t be the day you defeat the Night Kingdom.”

“So confident. So strong,” a soldier says. “My, haven’t you grown into your role. I wonder if that will always be the case.”

“Leave,” I command, “before the good citizens of this place decide you are all better dead than alive.”

The soldier’s eyes flash as he dips his head. “Until next time, enchantress.”