To Kill A Kingdom | ACOTAR ✔️

Chapter 9 - "Perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me."

Evette was sat down with the High Lord of the Summer Court, and the Prince and Princess of the Summer Court. She had come alone because she felt that if there was any threat from this man, it would be very little and she could very much take care of herself. "It is good to see you again." Evette mused to the man. "It is Tarquin, right?"

"Yes." The man nodded. "Not that your presence here isn't nice, but what are you doing here exactly?" He asked her curiously. "Your letter left out the reasoning for your visit."

"You have received note from the Night Court, I assume? An invitation to discuss war?" She asked the man. He simply gave her a curt nod. "Well, I had a spy in Hybern - checking things out, the usual works. And she got word that Hybern is planning an attack on Prythian. Either your own court, or the Night, or Day. Though, she said they're leaning more towards your own."

"I assume they're targeting you personally since many of them reside in the Spring Court at the moment, and you are practically neighbours with them." Evette continued to explain to the man. "Unfortunately, a few hundred Fey stand with Hybern following my traitorous aunt. And it is very likely the Fey will be in on the attack as well."

"You know this for sure?" Tarquin asked her, his brows furrowed.

"Not 100%." Evette replied. "But I do know that if there is an attack and they don't change their plans after my spy had been outed to them...they will attack here."

"As there are Fey part of this army of his...and we all know the Fey are much stronger than yourselves, I'm offering my own Court to you to help aid you against the army should they attack here." Evette told him. "You may keep them for six days...if the attack has not happened by then, then we count ourselves glad they changed plans. If they do attack, their appearance here will help save many, many lives."

"Why offer it to us?" Tarquin asked her in confusion. "Why warn us of the attack? We are not allies, we are not friends. What has the Summer Court ever done for Angevin?"

"I offer it because it's the right thing to do." Evette replied. "There are innocent people living here. Children. Families." She looked off to the side. "Perhaps you have not seen what happens when the Fey become riled up - perhaps you have not seen them when they become the cruelest versions of themselves." She looked back to him. "They will tear your city apart - I do not wish for my kind...my people...to be responsible for such a thing."

"Were it a battlefield, I'd probably hold off." Evette admitted. "But it is a city. I cannot hold off knowing what will happen should they come and attack here. I may be a Fey, but I'm not horribly cruel and I don't delight in the violence and murder of people who don't deserve it."

"Okay." Tarquin nodded at her. "I will take you aid should Hybern attack my land. I will increase patrols at both the border and the seas." He looked at her. "Any suggestions on your people's strengths?"

"Valerian - put him at sea." Evette told the man. "He is very particular with the sea. And Aerlo...should there be an attack...put him in the very centre. He fought in the previous War - and is very powerful. Elexina and Macaria...put them where you desire. If I can convince my brother to accompany them...Roan is very good in land...put him at the border."

Tarquin assured her that he understood, and she told him that he should expect them to arrive to the Summer Court the next day. Near noon, she assured him. The High Lord thanked her for her warning, and for what she was offering him should his land get attacked. And then they bid each other goodbye, before she left to head back to Angevin.

•••

Her Court and Roan had been at the Summer Court mere days when they were attacked by Hybern. And the second the fighting ceased, Valerian had sent a thought to her mind telling her that no Fey were present at the attack, and that Tarquin was still appreciative of her help regardless, and that they were headed back the next day around noon.