✦ 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ✦

Nineteen

        Better to play the part then be left in the dark.

Words Xaylah had spoken to her days ago when Mala had been at home. They had been walking about Terresan, greeting fae and shopping for little trinkets that caught their eye. It wasn't abnormal for anyone to try and convince them to take a discounted item, although they always made sure to pay the full price. Royals had enough money as it was. Mala was more worried about her people having enough when winter came and brought colder weather. Terresan always managed to stay prosperous and healthy though, to no one's dismay.

As to why Xaylah had felt the urge to let the comment slip past her lips, it was for a very uncanny reason indeed. Acting was something Mala's mother, Aelin, as well as Lysandra, Xaylah's mother, had mastered the art of. The trait must have been passed down, because when the opportunity presented itself, both accepted and adapted to it with ease.

Xaylah had been visiting from Caraverre, eager to fly from place to place on her gifted ruk. People in Terresan came from all around, keen to sell their goods and buy from others. It was fair to say that quite a lot of sellers come to Terresan. But it goes without saying that there's bound to be someone who doesn't follow the law. When that happens, the royal guard and other loyal citizens step in, sometimes royals themselves settle the issues that outlaws present. One in particular, one fugitive known across the lands, one who called himself a servant of the Assassin's Keep.

To summarize the encounter, the expert thief had attempted to trick Mala and Xaylah into following his requests. By that, it meant he tried to deceive the two of them by asserting false claims. At first, he had begun by declaring about how he was long lost friends with Aelin Galathynius, and how they had been together at the Assassins Keep. He persuaded the both of them into leading him to their queen so he could kill her himself most likely, but Mala saw through that trick.

One of the most important rules: Never trust an assassin.

It was one of the most obvious and clear rules that Mala's mother had burned into her head. It wasn't that easy to put your trust in someone you had no idea about. But when their reputation is soddened by the word 'assassin', then it becomes even harder to trust them.

From the moment the word of the man's occupation had been uttered, all sense of trust or faith in the man had been lost. But, what better to do then play along? Long story short, Mala and Xaylah managed to lure the assassin into the palace and deceived him into walking into a prison cell.

Back to the present, Mala had the perfect con set out in front of her. She would play this part perfectly, and the shrouded man in the shadows would never know what hit him.

This time, she wouldn't be the scared little fae lost in a magical new world that frightened at all the slightest things. This time, she would try her best to manipulate almost everything around her to get what she wanted: to get home. It didn't matter who it was, if they were in her way for any longer than necessary they were toast. Burned to the crisp toast to be specific. Whoever stood in her way would no longer be a problem when she found herself steady and unafraid in this world. And now, at least hopefully, she felt as if she really was in a stable place. Stable enough that whoever the man in this alleyway who stood in front of her would not stand a chance if he decided to sabotage her plans.

She felt a pulse in her mind, most likely from Nyx, knocking at her head for entry. She let his small presence slip in, light and almost non-existent if she hadn't been focusing on it.

"Keir, he's the steward of the Court of Nightmares. He's all yours princess," his voice floated into her mind.

A smirk found its way onto Mala's face and her eyes flickered with delight. She almost wished for this Keir to cause her trouble. Imagined it in her mind. The well of her powers bubbled up, and energy and adreline zipped through her.

She dared Keir to try. Try her. Try to see if she'd break. She wouldn't. Couldn't at this point. She couldn't break this time.

~bad ch srry <3