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 01
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THe 03
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Wicked
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King
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HOLLY BL ACK 20
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This is an uncorrected sampler and is not for sale or reproduction.

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 Book One 01
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04
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“Say to him thus, ‘That I defy 06
His slanders and his infamy, 07
08
And as a mortal enemy
09
Do publicly proclaim him: 10
Withal, that if I had mine own, 11
He should not wear the Fairy crown, 12
13
But with a vengeance should come down;
14
Not we a king should name him.’ ” 15
16
—Michael Drayton, 17
“Nymphidia”
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S27
N28

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 01
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PR OLOGUE 05
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J
ude lifted the heavy practice sword, moving into the first stance— 14
readiness. 15
Get used to the weight, Madoc had told her. You must be strong enough 16
to strike and strike and strike again without tiring. The first lesson is to 17
make yourself that strong. 18
It will hurt. Pain makes you strong. 19
That was the first lesson he’d taught her after he’d cut down her 20
parents with a sword not unlike the one she held now. Then she’d been 21
seven, a baby. Now she was nine and lived in Faerieland, and everything 22
was changed. 23
She planted her feet in the grass. Wind ruffled her hair as she moved 24
through the stances. One; the sword before her, canted to one side, pro- 25
tecting her body. Two; the pommel high, as though the blade were a 26
horn coming from her head. Three: down to her hip, then in a decep- S27
tively casual droop in front of her. Then four: up again, to her shoulder. N28

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 4 holly black

01 Each position could move easily into a strike or a defense. Fighting was attacks, so it was easy to lure her into
02 chess, anticipating the move of one’s opponent and countering it before a hit by breaking the pattern. Each t
03 one got hit. as though Jude were flubbing the step
04 But it was chess played with the whole body. Chess that left her “Come here,” Madoc called to Jud
05 bruised and tired and frustrated with the whole world and with her- She walked to him, sword slung
06 self, too. just setting, but faeries are twilight cre
07 Or maybe it was more like riding a bike. When she’d been learn- half done. The sky was streaked wit
08 ing to do that, back in the real world, she’d fallen lots of times. Her deep breath of pine needles. For a mo
09 knees had been scabby enough that Mom thought she might have scars. just a kid learning a new sport.
10 But Jude had taken off her training wheels herself and disdained rid- “Come spar,” he said when Jude go
11 ing carefully on the sidewalk, as Taryn did. Jude wanted to ride in the this old redcap.” Taryn leaned again
12 street, fast, like Vivi, and if she got gravel embedded into her skin for it, into the ground. She wasn’t suppose
13 well, then she’d let Dad pick it out with tweezers at night. good for the blade—but Madoc didn
14 Sometimes Jude longed for her bike, but there were none in Faerie. “Power,” he said. “Power is the ab
15 Instead, she had giant toads and thin greenish ponies and wild-eyed is the ability to be the one making t
16 horses slim as shadows. power?”
17 And she had weapons. Jude stepped beside her twin. It w
18 And her parents’ murderer, now her foster father. The High King’s a response, but also that he expected
19 general, Madoc, who wanted to teach her how to ride too fast and how fight well?” she said to say something.
20 to fight to the death. No matter how hard she swung at him, it just When Madoc smiled at her, she c
21 made him laugh. He liked her anger. Fire, he called it. cuspids, longer than the rest of his te
22 She liked it when she was angry, too. Angry was better than scared. felt the sharp edges of his claw-like n
23 Better than remembering she was a mortal among monsters. No one hurt, but a reminder of what he was n
24 was offering her the option of training wheels anymore. ing it.”
25 On the other side of the field, Madoc was guiding Taryn through He pointed toward a low hill with
26 a series of stances. Taryn was learning the sword, too, although she make a game of the next lesson. That
27S had different problems than Jude. Her stances were more perfect, but Taryn dutifully trooped toward
28N she hated sparring. She paired the obvious defenses with the obvious pace, his smile all teeth.

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attacks, so it was easy to lure her into a series of moves and then score 01
a hit by breaking the pattern. Each time it happened, Taryn got mad, 02
as though Jude were flubbing the steps of a dance rather than winning. 03
“Come here,” Madoc called to Jude across the silvery expanse of grass. 04
She walked to him, sword slung over her shoulders. The sun was 05
just setting, but faeries are twilight creatures, and their day was not even 06
half done. The sky was streaked with copper and gold. She inhaled a 07
deep breath of pine needles. For a moment, she felt as though she were 08
just a kid learning a new sport. 09
“Come spar,” he said when Jude got closer. “Both of you girls against 10
this old redcap.” Taryn leaned against her sword, the tip of it sinking 11
into the ground. She wasn’t supposed to hold it that way—it wasn’t 12
good for the blade—but Madoc didn’t reprimand her. 13
“Power,” he said. “Power is the ability to get what you want. Power 14
is the ability to be the one making the decisions. And how do we get 15
power?” 16
Jude stepped beside her twin. It was obvious that Madoc expected 17
a response, but also that he expected the wrong one. “We learn how to 18
fight well?” she said to say something. 19
When Madoc smiled at her, she could see the points of his bottom 20
cuspids, longer than the rest of his teeth. He tousled her hair, and she 21
felt the sharp edges of his claw-like nails against her scalp, too light to 22
hurt, but a reminder of what he was nonetheless. “We get power by tak- 23
ing it.” 24
He pointed toward a low hill with a thorn tree growing on it. “Let’s 25
make a game of the next lesson. That’s my hill. Go ahead and take it.” 26
Taryn dutifully trooped toward it, Jude behind her. Madoc kept S27
pace, his smile all teeth. N28

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01 “Now what?” Taryn asked, without any particular excitement. bush” or “every stick has two ends” o
02 Madoc looked into the distance, as though he was contemplating look at a king.” Now, standing on a
03 and discarding various rules. “Now hold it against attack.” hand, she understood it a lot better.
04 “Wait, what?” Jude asked. “From you?” “Get into position,” Jude said, an
05 “Is this a strategy game or a sparring practice?” Taryn asked, ing the thorn tree. Jude checked the
06 frowning. tricks Madoc might use. The longer h
07 Madoc brought one finger under her chin, raising her head until and while he could see in the dark, Ju
08 she was looking into his golden cat eyes. “What is sparring but a game But, in the end, he didn’t use any
09 of strategy, played at speed?” he told her, with a great seriousness. “Talk and in their direction, howling as tho
10 with your sister. When the sun reaches the trunk of that tree, I will hundred. Jude’s knees went weak with
11 come for my hill. Knock me down but once and you both win.” This is just a game, she remind
12 Then he departed for a copse of trees some ways away. Taryn sat he got, though, the less her body be
13 down on the grass. strained to run.
14 “I don’t want to do this,” she said. Their strategy seemed silly now in
15 “It’s just a game,” Jude reminded her nervously. smallness, in the face of her fear. Sh
16 Taryn gave her a long look—the one that they gave each other when on the ground, recalled the smell of h
17 one of them was pretending things were normal. “Okay, so what do you memory felt like thunder in her head.
18 think we should do?” Run, her whole body urged. RUN
19 Jude looked up into the branches of the thorn tree. “What if one of No, her mother had run. Jude pla
20 us threw rocks while the other did the sparring?” She made herself move into the fi
21 “Okay,” Taryn said, pushing herself up and beginning to gather felt wobbly. He had the advantage, e
22 stones into the folds of her skirts. “You don’t think he’ll get mad, he had momentum on his side. The
23 do you?” Taryn barely checked his pace.
24 Jude shook her head, but she understood Taryn’s question. What if Jude spun out of the way, not even
25 he killed them by accident? blow. Putting the tree between them,
26 You’ve got to choose which hill to die on, Mom used to tell Dad. It had When the fourth one came, it knocke
27S been one of those weird sayings adults expected her to understand, even She closed her eyes against the kil
28N though they made no sense—like, “one in the hand is worth two in the “You can take a thing when no on

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thout any particular excitement. bush” or “every stick has two ends” or the totally mysterious “a cat may 01
nce, as though he was contemplating look at a king.” Now, standing on an actual hill with a sword in her 02
w hold it against attack.” hand, she understood it a lot better. 03
om you?” “Get into position,” Jude said, and Taryn wasted no time in climb- 04
a sparring practice?” Taryn asked, ing the thorn tree. Jude checked the sunmark, wondering what sort of 05
tricks Madoc might use. The longer he waited, the darker it would get, 06
nder her chin, raising her head until and while he could see in the dark, Jude and Taryn could not. 07
at eyes. “What is sparring but a game But, in the end, he didn’t use any tricks. He came out of the woods 08
ld her, with a great seriousness. “Talk and in their direction, howling as though he were leading an army of a 09
eaches the trunk of that tree, I will hundred. Jude’s knees went weak with terror. 10
n but once and you both win.” This is just a game, she reminded herself frantically. The closer 11
e of trees some ways away. Taryn sat he got, though, the less her body believed her. Every animal instinct 12
strained to run. 13
aid. Their strategy seemed silly now in the face of his hugeness and their 14
ed her nervously. smallness, in the face of her fear. She thought of her mother bleeding 15
he one that they gave each other when on the ground, recalled the smell of her insides as they leaked out. The 16
s were normal. “Okay, so what do you memory felt like thunder in her head. She was going to die. 17
Run, her whole body urged. RUN! 18
hes of the thorn tree. “What if one of No, her mother had run. Jude planted her feet. 19
the sparring?” She made herself move into the first position, even though her legs 20
herself up and beginning to gather felt wobbly. He had the advantage, even coming up that hill, because 21
ts. “You don’t think he’ll get mad, he had momentum on his side. The stones raining down on him from 22
Taryn barely checked his pace. 23
understood Taryn’s question. What if Jude spun out of the way, not even bothering to try to block the first 24
blow. Putting the tree between them, she dodged his second and third. 25
o die on, Mom used to tell Dad. It had When the fourth one came, it knocked her to the grass. 26
ults expected her to understand, even She closed her eyes against the killing strike. S27
, “one in the hand is worth two in the “You can take a thing when no one’s looking. But defending it, even N28

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01 with all the advantage on your side, is no easy task,” Madoc told her
02 with a laugh. She looked up to find him offering her a hand. “Power is
03 much easier to acquire than it is to hold on to.” CHAP

1
04 Relief broke over her. It was just a game, after all. Just another
05 lesson.
06 “That wasn’t fair,” Taryn complained.
07 Jude didn’t say anything. Nothing was fair in Faerie. She had
08 learned to stop expecting it to be.
09 Madoc hauled Jude to her feet and threw a heavy arm over her
10 shoulders. He drew her and her twin in for an embrace. He smelled like
11 smoke and dried blood, and Jude let herself sag against him. It was good
12 to be hugged. Even by a monster.
13

T
14 he new High King of Faerie l
15 resting at an insouciant angle,
16 pinned at his shoulders and sweeping
17 the peak of one pointed ear. Heavy ri
18 most ostentatious decoration, howeve
19 It makes him look every bit the je
20 I stand to one side of him, in the h
21 supposed to be High King Cardan’s m
22 that part, rather than my real role—
23 the power to compel him to obey sho
24 Scanning the crowd, I look for a
25 They intercepted a communication
26 where Cardan’s brother is jailed, and
27S its intended recipient.
28N And that’s only the latest crisis.

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 de, is no easy task,” Madoc told her 01
nd him offering her a hand. “Power is 02
o hold on to.” CHAPTER 03

1
just a game, after all. Just another 04
05
plained. 06
othing was fair in Faerie. She had 07
08
eet and threw a heavy arm over her 09
win in for an embrace. He smelled like 10
et herself sag against him. It was good 11
12
13

T
he new High King of Faerie lounges on his throne, his crown 14
resting at an insouciant angle, his long villainously scarlet cloak 15
pinned at his shoulders and sweeping the floor. An earring shines from 16
the peak of one pointed ear. Heavy rings glitter along his knuckles. His 17
most ostentatious decoration, however, is his soft, sullen mouth. 18
It makes him look every bit the jerk that he is. 19
I stand to one side of him, in the honored position of seneschal. I am 20
supposed to be High King Cardan’s most trusted advisor, and so I play 21
that part, rather than my real role—the hand behind the throne, with 22
the power to compel him to obey should he try to cross me. 23
Scanning the crowd, I look for a spy from the Court of Shadows. 24
They intercepted a communication from the Tower of Forgetting, 25
where Cardan’s brother is jailed, and are bringing it to me instead of to 26
its intended recipient. S27
And that’s only the latest crisis. N28

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01 It’s been five months since I forced Cardan onto the throne of Elf- “Not as much as you are,” I tell hi
02 hame as my puppet king, five months since I betrayed my family, since No matter how much he disliked
03 my sister carried my little brother to the mortal realm and away from was a guttering candle to the steady fl
04 the crown that he might have worn, since I crossed swords with Madoc. curls into a smile. His eyes shine with
05 Five months since I’ve slept for more than a few hours at a stretch. your subjects. A shame not a one kno
06 It seemed like a good trade—a very faerie trade, even: put someone My face heats a little at his words
07 who despised me on the throne so that Oak would be out of danger. It and turn it into an insult, a jab that
08 was thrilling to trick Cardan into promising to serve me for a year and take it at face value.
09 a day, exhilarating when my plan came together. Then, a year and a day I spent so many revels avoiding
10 seemed like forever. But now I must figure out how to keep him in my bathed in candlelight, in one of the th
11 power—and out of trouble—for longer than that. Long enough to give I wear each evening, my sword Night
12 Oak a chance to have what I didn’t: a childhood. circle dances and play their songs, t
13 Now a year and a day seems like no time at all. compose their riddles and their curse
14 And despite having put Cardan on the throne through my own the royal dais. They are beautiful an
15 machinations, despite scheming to keep him there, I cannot help being my mortality, might mock it, but I am
16 unnerved by how comfortable he looks. Of course, perhaps that isn’t so d
17 Faerie rulers are tied to the land. They are the lifeblood and the just hiding in plain sight. But I canno
18 beating heart of their realm in some mystical way that I don’t fully me a kick, a jolt of pleasure whenever
19 understand. But surely Cardan isn’t that, not with his commitment to couldn’t tell.
20 being a layabout who does none of the real work of governance. If I look carefully, I can spot my
21 Mostly, his obligations appear to be allowing his ring-covered hands Locke, her betrothed. Locke, who I on
22 to be kissed and accepting the blandishments of the Folk. I’m sure he whom I once thought I could love. It’s
23 enjoys that part of it—the kisses, the bowing and scraping. He’s cer- tonight, I imagine hopping down from
24 tainly enjoying the wine. He calls again and again for his cabochon- to explain my choices.
25 encrusted goblet to be refilled with a pale green liquor. The very smell of Her marriage is only three weeks
26 it makes my head spin. I keep telling myself I need her to
27S During a lull, he glances up at me, raising one black brow. “Enjoy- for a fool with Locke. I still feel stupid
28N ing yourself?” apologize, then at least she should be

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orced Cardan onto the throne of Elf- “Not as much as you are,” I tell him. 01
nths since I betrayed my family, since No matter how much he disliked me when we were in school, that 02
r to the mortal realm and away from was a guttering candle to the steady flame of his hatred now. His mouth 03
n, since I crossed swords with Madoc. curls into a smile. His eyes shine with wicked intent. “Look at them all, 04
r more than a few hours at a stretch. your subjects. A shame not a one knows who their true ruler is.” 05
a very faerie trade, even: put someone My face heats a little at his words. His gift is to take a compliment 06
o that Oak would be out of danger. It and turn it into an insult, a jab that hurts more for the temptation to 07
promising to serve me for a year and take it at face value. 08
came together. Then, a year and a day I spent so many revels avoiding notice. Now everyone sees me, 09
ust figure out how to keep him in my bathed in candlelight, in one of the three nearly identical black doublets 10
onger than that. Long enough to give I wear each evening, my sword Nightfell at my hip. They twirl in their 11
t: a childhood. circle dances and play their songs, they drink their golden wine and 12
ke no time at all. compose their riddles and their curses while I look down on them from 13
dan on the throne through my own the royal dais. They are beautiful and terrible, and they might despise 14
o keep him there, I cannot help being my mortality, might mock it, but I am up here and they are not. 15
ooks. Of course, perhaps that isn’t so different from hiding. Perhaps it is 16
and. They are the lifeblood and the just hiding in plain sight. But I cannot deny that the power I hold gives 17
ome mystical way that I don’t fully me a kick, a jolt of pleasure whenever I think on it. I just wish Cardan 18
n’t that, not with his commitment to couldn’t tell. 19
f the real work of governance. If I look carefully, I can spot my twin sister, Taryn, dancing with 20
to be allowing his ring-covered hands Locke, her betrothed. Locke, who I once thought might love me. Locke, 21
andishments of the Folk. I’m sure he whom I once thought I could love. It’s Taryn I miss, though. Nights like 22
, the bowing and scraping. He’s cer- tonight, I imagine hopping down from the dais and going to her, trying 23
s again and again for his cabochon- to explain my choices. 24
h a pale green liquor. The very smell of Her marriage is only three weeks away, and still we haven’t spoken. 25
I keep telling myself I need her to come to me first. She played me 26
t me, raising one black brow. “Enjoy- for a fool with Locke. I still feel stupid when I look at them. If she won’t S27
apologize, then at least she should be the one to pretend there’s nothing N28

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01 to apologize for. I might accept that, even. But I will not be the one to Smith, long in exile with the Alderkin
02 go to Taryn, to beg. there is a new Alderking in Fairfold, a
03 My eyes follow her as she dances. “Severin,” I say.
04 I don’t bother to look for Madoc. His love is part of the price I paid The smith looks at me, obviously
05 for this position. his gaze returns to the High King. “I
06 A short, wizened faerie with a cloud of silver hair and a coat of scar- the High Court.”
07 let kneels below the dais, waiting to be recognized. His cuffs are jew- Cardan blinks a few times, as th
08 eled, and the moth pin that holds his cloak in place has wings that move tioner in front of him. “So you were
09 on their own. Despite his posture of subservience, his gaze is greedy. leave?”
10 Beside him stand two pale hill Folk with long limbs and hair that I recall Cardan’s telling me a li
11 blows behind them, though there is no breeze. mentioned Grimsen. I’ve heard of hi
12 Drunk or sober, now that Cardan is the High King, he must listen who made the Blood Crown for Ma
13 to those subjects who would have him rule on a problem, no matter how It’s said he can make anything from
14 small, or grant a boon. I cannot imagine why anyone would put their birds that fly, metal snakes that slith
15 fate in his hands, but Faerie is full of caprice. swords, Heartseeker and Heartsworn
16 Luckily, I’m there to whisper my counsel in his ear, as any seneschal other that can cut through anything.
17 might. The difference is that he must listen to me. And if he whispers the Alderking.
18 back a few horrific insults, well, at least he’s forced to whisper. “I was sworn to him, as his servan
19 Of course, then the question becomes whether I deserve to have all into exile, I was forced to follow—a
20 this power. I won’t be horrible for the sake of my own amusement, I tell myself. Although I made only trinke
21 myself. That’s got to be worth something. considered to be his creature by your
22 “Ah,” Cardan says, leaning forward on the throne, causing his “Now, with both of them dead,
23 crown to tip lower on his brow. He takes a deep swallow of the wine and place for myself here at your Court. P
24 smiles down at the trio. “This must be a grave concern, to bring it before alty to you will be as great as your wis
25 the High King.” I look at the little smith more c
26 “You may already have heard tales of me,” says the small faerie. with words. But to what end? The req
27S “I made the crown that sits upon your head. I am called Grimsen the sen’s humility is not, well, his fame m
28N

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hat, even. But I will not be the one to Smith, long in exile with the Alderking. His bones are now at rest, and 01
there is a new Alderking in Fairfold, as there is a new High King here.” 02
ces. “Severin,” I say. 03
oc. His love is part of the price I paid The smith looks at me, obviously surprised that I have spoken. Then 04
his gaze returns to the High King. “I beg you to allow me to return to 05
cloud of silver hair and a coat of scar- the High Court.” 06
to be recognized. His cuffs are jew- Cardan blinks a few times, as though trying to focus on the peti- 07
his cloak in place has wings that move tioner in front of him. “So you were yourself exiled? Or you chose to 08
of subservience, his gaze is greedy. leave?” 09
ll Folk with long limbs and hair that I recall Cardan’s telling me a little about Severin, but he hadn’t 10
is no breeze. mentioned Grimsen. I’ve heard of him, of course. He’s the blacksmith 11
dan is the High King, he must listen who made the Blood Crown for Mab and wove enchantments into it. 12
him rule on a problem, no matter how It’s said he can make anything from metal, even living things—metal 13
magine why anyone would put their birds that fly, metal snakes that slither and strike. He made the twin 14
of caprice. swords, Heartseeker and Heartsworn, one that never misses and the 15
my counsel in his ear, as any seneschal other that can cut through anything. Unfortunately, he made them for 16
must listen to me. And if he whispers the Alderking. 17
least he’s forced to whisper. “I was sworn to him, as his servant,” says Grimsen. “When he went 18
becomes whether I deserve to have all into exile, I was forced to follow—and in so doing, fell into disfavor 19
the sake of my own amusement, I tell myself. Although I made only trinkets for him in Fairfold, I was still 20
hing. considered to be his creature by your father. 21
forward on the throne, causing his “Now, with both of them dead, I crave permission to carve out a 22
e takes a deep swallow of the wine and place for myself here at your Court. Punish me no further, and my loy- 23
t be a grave concern, to bring it before alty to you will be as great as your wisdom.” 24
I look at the little smith more closely, suddenly sure he’s playing 25
d tales of me,” says the small faerie. with words. But to what end? The request seems genuine, and if Grim- 26
your head. I am called Grimsen the sen’s humility is not, well, his fame makes that no surprise. S27
N28

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 14 holly black

01 “Very well,” Cardan says, looking pleased to be asked for something seem to catch and puzzle the eye. W
02 easy to give. “Your exile is over. Give me your oath, and the High Court around her ripple, and I spy clawed fe
03 will welcome you.” “Kingling,” the hag says. “Mother
04 Grimsen bows low, his expression theatrically troubled. “Noble “Your fealty is all I require.” Card
05 king, you ask for the smallest and most reasonable thing from your ser- “Oh, I’m sworn to the crown, sur
06 vant, but I, who have suffered for such vows, am loath to make them one of her pockets and drawing out a
07 again. Allow me this—grant that I may show you my loyalty in my night sky, so black that it seems to dr
08 deeds, rather than binding myself with my words.” slithers over her hand. “But I have com
09 I put my hand on Cardan’s arm, but he shrugs off my cautioning a rare prize.”
10 squeeze. I could say something, and he would be forced—by prior The Folk do not like debt, which
11 command—to at least not contradict me, but I don’t know what to with mere thanks. Give them an oat
12 say. Having the smith here, forging for Elfhame, is no small thing. It is rooms of your house with grain, ov
13 worth, perhaps, the lack of an oath. you. And yet, tribute is given to High
14 And yet, something in Grimsen’s gaze looks a little too self-satisfied, swords with names. But we don’t us
15 a little too sure of himself. I suspect a trick. prizes.
16 Cardan speaks before I can puzzle anything more out. “I accept I do not know what to make of he
17 your condition. Indeed, I will give you a boon. An old building with a Her voice is a purr. “My daughter
18 forge sits on the edge of the palace grounds. You shall have it for your nightmares. A garment cut from it ca
19 own and as much metal as you require. I look forward to seeing what as a shadow against your skin.”
20 you will make for us.” Cardan frowns, but his gaze is d
21 Grimsen bows low. “Your kindness shall not be forgotten.” velous cloth. “I admit I don’t think I’v
22 I mislike this, but perhaps I’m being overcautious. Perhaps it’s only “Then you accept what I would
23 that I don’t like the smith himself. There’s little time to consider it gleam in her eye. “I am older than yo
24 before another petitioner steps forward. than the stones of this palace. As old
25 A hag— old and powerful enough that the air around her seems to you are the High King, Mother Marr
26 crackle with the force of her magic. Her fingers are twiggy, her hair Cardan’s eyes narrow. She’s annoy
27S the color of smoke, and her nose like the blade of a scythe. Around her There’s a trick here, and this ti
28N throat, she wears a necklace of rocks, each bead carved with whorls that can, I start speaking. “You said gifts,

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 the wicked king 15

ing pleased to be asked for something seem to catch and puzzle the eye. When she moves, the heavy robes 01
ve me your oath, and the High Court around her ripple, and I spy clawed feet, like those of a bird of prey. 02
“Kingling,” the hag says. “Mother Marrow brings you gifts.” 03
ession theatrically troubled. “Noble “Your fealty is all I require.” Cardan’s voice is light. “For now.” 04
most reasonable thing from your ser- “Oh, I’m sworn to the crown, sure enough,” she says, reaching into 05
r such vows, am loath to make them one of her pockets and drawing out a cloth that looks blacker than the 06
t I may show you my loyalty in my night sky, so black that it seems to drink the light around it. The fabric 07
with my words.” slithers over her hand. “But I have come all this way to present you with 08
rm, but he shrugs off my cautioning a rare prize.” 09
and he would be forced—by prior The Folk do not like debt, which is why they will not repay a favor 10
adict me, but I don’t know what to with mere thanks. Give them an oatcake, and they will fill one of the 11
g for Elfhame, is no small thing. It is rooms of your house with grain, overpaying to push debt back onto 12
h. you. And yet, tribute is given to High Kings all the time—gold, service, 13
n’s gaze looks a little too self-satisfied, swords with names. But we don’t usually call those things gifts. Nor 14
ct a trick. prizes. 15
puzzle anything more out. “I accept I do not know what to make of her little speech. 16
e you a boon. An old building with a Her voice is a purr. “My daughter and I wove this of spider silk and 17
e grounds. You shall have it for your nightmares. A garment cut from it can turn a sharp blade, yet be as soft 18
equire. I look forward to seeing what as a shadow against your skin.” 19
Cardan frowns, but his gaze is drawn again and again to the mar- 20
dness shall not be forgotten.” velous cloth. “I admit I don’t think I’ve seen its equal.” 21
m being overcautious. Perhaps it’s only “Then you accept what I would bestow upon you?” she asks, a sly 22
elf. There’s little time to consider it gleam in her eye. “I am older than your father and your mother. Older 23
ward. than the stones of this palace. As old as the bones of the earth. Though 24
ough that the air around her seems to you are the High King, Mother Marrow will have your word.” 25
gic. Her fingers are twiggy, her hair Cardan’s eyes narrow. She’s annoyed him, I can see that. 26
ike the blade of a scythe. Around her There’s a trick here, and this time I know what it is. Before he S27
ks, each bead carved with whorls that can, I start speaking. “You said gifts, but you have only shown us your N28

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 16 holly black

01 marvelous cloth. I am sure the crown would be pleased to have it, were the mortal “until death do us part,” t
02 it freely given.” you shall both renounce each other”
03 Her gaze comes to rest on me, her eyes hard and cold as night itself. anger” or the cleverly worded “for the
04 “And who are you to speak for the High King?” ing whose. But a uniting of kings and
05 “I am his seneschal, Mother Marrow.” Should Cardan marry, I wouldn’t
06 “And will you let this mortal girl answer for you?” she asks Cardan. to get Oak on it. I’d have to remove h
07 He gives me a look of such condescension that it makes my cheeks Cardan’s eyebrows rise, but he h
08 heat. The look lingers. His mouth twists, curving. “I suppose I shall,” he unconcern. “My lady, you flatter me.
09 says finally. “It amuses her to keep me out of trouble.” Her gaze is unflinching as she pas
10 I bite my tongue as he turns a placid expression on Mother Marrow. sonal guard. “May you grow into the
11 “She’s clever enough,” the hag says, spitting out the words like a “The fervent prayer of many,” he
12 curse. “Very well, the cloth is yours, Your Majesty. I give it freely. I give made the journey with you?”
13 you only that and nothing more.” “She is here,” the hag says. A girl
14 Cardan leans forward as though they are sharing a jest. “Oh, tell me before Cardan. She is young, with a
15 the rest. I like tricks and snares. Even ones I was nearly caught in.” mother, her limbs are oddly long and
16 Mother Marrow shifts from one clawed foot to the other, the first unsettlingly bony, she has a kind of g
17 sign of nerves she’s displayed. Even for a hag with bones as old as she resemble human ones.
18 claimed, a High King’s wrath is dangerous. “Very well. An’ you had Although, to be fair, they are turn
19 accepted all I would bestow upon you, you would have found yourself “I would make a poor husband,” C
20 under a geas, allowing you to marry only a weaver of the cloth in my to the girl, who appears to shrink do
21 hands. Myself— or my daughter.” regard. “But grant me a dance, and I w
22 A cold shudder goes through me at the thought of what might have I give him a suspicious look.
23 happened then. Could the High King of Faerie have been compelled “Come,” Mother Marrow says to
24 into such a marriage? Surely there would have been a way around it. I ularly gently, by the arm, dragging h
25 thought of the last High King, who never wed. back at Cardan. “We three will meet
26 Marriage is unusual among the rulers of Faerie because once a ruler, “They’re all going to want to mar
27S one remains a ruler until death or abdication. Among commoners and I know his voice even before I look to
28N the gentry, faerie marriages are arranged to be gotten out of—unlike that Mother Marrow vacated.

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own would be pleased to have it, were the mortal “until death do us part,” they contain conditions like “until 01
you shall both renounce each other” or “unless one strikes the other in 02
her eyes hard and cold as night itself. anger” or the cleverly worded “for the duration of a life” without specify- 03
High King?” ing whose. But a uniting of kings and/or queens can never be dissolved. 04
Marrow.” Should Cardan marry, I wouldn’t just have to get him off the throne 05
irl answer for you?” she asks Cardan. to get Oak on it. I’d have to remove his bride as well. 06
ndescension that it makes my cheeks Cardan’s eyebrows rise, but he has all the appearance of blissful 07
twists, curving. “I suppose I shall,” he unconcern. “My lady, you flatter me. I had no idea you were interested.” 08
me out of trouble.” Her gaze is unflinching as she passes her gift to one of Cardan’s per- 09
placid expression on Mother Marrow. sonal guard. “May you grow into the wisdom of your counselors.” 10
g says, spitting out the words like a “The fervent prayer of many,” he says. “Tell me. Has your daughter 11
rs, Your Majesty. I give it freely. I give made the journey with you?” 12
“She is here,” the hag says. A girl steps from the crowd to bow low 13
gh they are sharing a jest. “Oh, tell me before Cardan. She is young, with a mass of unbound hair. Like her 14
ven ones I was nearly caught in.” mother, her limbs are oddly long and twig-like, but where her mother is 15
one clawed foot to the other, the first unsettlingly bony, she has a kind of grace. Maybe it helps that her feet 16
en for a hag with bones as old as she resemble human ones. 17
dangerous. “Very well. An’ you had Although, to be fair, they are turned backward. 18
you, you would have found yourself “I would make a poor husband,” Cardan says, turning his attention 19
rry only a weaver of the cloth in my to the girl, who appears to shrink down into herself at the force of his 20
regard. “But grant me a dance, and I will show you my other talents.” 21
me at the thought of what might have I give him a suspicious look. 22
King of Faerie have been compelled “Come,” Mother Marrow says to the girl, and grabs her, not partic- 23
e would have been a way around it. I ularly gently, by the arm, dragging her into the crowd. Then she looks 24
o never wed. back at Cardan. “We three will meet again.” 25
e rulers of Faerie because once a ruler, “They’re all going to want to marry you, you know,” Locke drawls. 26
r abdication. Among commoners and I know his voice even before I look to find that he has taken the position S27
rranged to be gotten out of—unlike that Mother Marrow vacated. N28

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 18 holly black

01 He grins up at Cardan, looking delighted with himself and the Locke’s smile doesn’t waver. Inste
02 world. “Better to take consorts,” Locke says. “Lots and lots of consorts.” the knights on either side to move i
03 “Spoken like a man about to enter wedlock,” Cardan reminds him. waves them away.
04 “Oh, leave off. Like Mother Marrow, I have brought you a gift.” “If you make him Master of Reve
05 Locke takes a step toward the dais. “One with fewer barbs.” He doesn’t “Are you commanding me?” Card
06 look in my direction. It’s as though he doesn’t see me or that I am as He knows I can’t say yes, not wi
07 uninteresting as a piece of furniture. hearing. “Of course not,” I grind out.
08 I wish it didn’t bother me. I wish I didn’t remember standing at “Good,” Cardan says, turning his
09 the very top of the highest tower on his estate, his body warm against grant your request, Locke. Things hav
10 mine. I wish he hadn’t used me to test my sister’s love for him. I wish she I see Locke’s smirk and bite the in
11 hadn’t let him. words of command. It would have be
12 If wishes were horses, my mortal father used to say, beggars would sion, to flaunt my power in front of hi
13 ride. Another one of those phrases that makes no sense until it does. Satisfying, but stupid.
14 “Oh?” Cardan looks more puzzled than intrigued. “Before, Grackles and Larks and
15 “I wish to give you me—as your Master of Revels,” Locke announces. Court,” Locke says, referring to the f
16 “Grant me the position, and I will make it my duty and pleasure to keep istry, or war. Factions that fell in and o
17 the High King of Elfhame from being bored.” the Court’s heart is yours and yours a
18 There are so many jobs in a palace—servants and ministers, ambas- Cardan looks at Locke oddly, as t
19 sadors and generals, advisors and tailors, jesters and makers of riddles, the first time, that being High King m
20 grooms for horses and keepers of spiders, and a dozen other positions ining what it would be like to rule wit
21 I’ve forgotten. I didn’t even know there was a Master of Revels. For all I Then, on the other side of the dai
22 know, he invented the position. the Court of Shadows, her white hair
23 “I will serve up delights you’ve never imagined.” Locke’s smile is infec- signals to me.
24 tious. He will serve up trouble, that’s for sure. Trouble I have no time for. I don’t like Locke and Cardan t
25 “Have a care,” I say, drawing Locke’s attention to me for the first time. entertainments—but I try to put that
26 “I am sure you would not wish to insult the High King’s imagination.” my way to her. After all, there is no w
27S “Indeed, I’m sure not,” Cardan says in a way that’s difficult to he is drawn to whatever amuses him m
28N interpret. Halfway to where the Bomb’s st

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king delighted with himself and the Locke’s smile doesn’t waver. Instead, he hops onto the dais, causing 01
ocke says. “Lots and lots of consorts.” the knights on either side to move immediately to stop him. Cardan 02
nter wedlock,” Cardan reminds him. waves them away. 03
Marrow, I have brought you a gift.” “If you make him Master of Revels—” I begin, quickly, desperately. 04
s. “One with fewer barbs.” He doesn’t “Are you commanding me?” Cardan interrupts, eyebrow arched. 05
gh he doesn’t see me or that I am as He knows I can’t say yes, not with the possibility of Locke’s over- 06
re. hearing. “Of course not,” I grind out. 07
wish I didn’t remember standing at “Good,” Cardan says, turning his gaze from me. “I’m of a mind to 08
on his estate, his body warm against grant your request, Locke. Things have been so very dull of late.” 09
test my sister’s love for him. I wish she I see Locke’s smirk and bite the inside of my cheek to keep back the 10
words of command. It would have been so satisfying to see his expres- 11
tal father used to say, beggars would sion, to flaunt my power in front of him. 12
that makes no sense until it does. Satisfying, but stupid. 13
zzled than intrigued. “Before, Grackles and Larks and Falcons vied for the heart of the 14
r Master of Revels,” Locke announces. Court,” Locke says, referring to the factions that preferred revelry, art- 15
make it my duty and pleasure to keep istry, or war. Factions that fell in and out of favor with Eldred. “But now 16
eing bored.” the Court’s heart is yours and yours alone. Let’s break it.” 17
lace—servants and ministers, ambas- Cardan looks at Locke oddly, as though considering, seemingly for 18
tailors, jesters and makers of riddles, the first time, that being High King might be fun. As though he’s imag- 19
spiders, and a dozen other positions ining what it would be like to rule without straining against my leash. 20
there was a Master of Revels. For all I Then, on the other side of the dais, I finally spot the Bomb, a spy in 21
the Court of Shadows, her white hair a halo around her brown face. She 22
never imagined.” Locke’s smile is infec- signals to me. 23
t’s for sure. Trouble I have no time for. I don’t like Locke and Cardan together— don’t like their idea of 24
ocke’s attention to me for the first time. entertainments—but I try to put that aside as I leave the dais and make 25
nsult the High King’s imagination.” my way to her. After all, there is no way to scheme against Locke when 26
dan says in a way that’s difficult to he is drawn to whatever amuses him most in the moment. . . . S27
Halfway to where the Bomb’s standing, I hear Locke’s voice ring N28

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 20 holly black

01 out over the crowd. “We will celebrate the Hunter’s Moon in the Milk- A trust that I betrayed.
02 wood, and there the High King will give you a debauch such that bards Once, he tormented me because h
03 will sing of, this I promise you.” and cruel. Now he has better reason
04 Dread coils in my belly. dreams of inflicting on me once a yea
05 Locke is pulling a few pixies from the crowd up onto the dais, their hard to keep him always under my th
06 iridescent wings shining in the candlelight. A girl laughs uproariously I reach the Bomb and she shove
07 and reaches for Cardan’s goblet, drinking it to the dregs. I expect him “Another note for Cardan from Balek
08 to lash out, to humiliate her or shred her wings, but he only smiles and the way to the palace before we interc
09 calls for more wine. “Is it the same as the first two?”
10 Whatever Locke has in store, Cardan seems all too ready to play She nods. “Much like. Balekin tr
11 along. All Faerie coronations are followed by a month of revelry— coming to his prison cell. He wants to
12 feasting, boozing, riddling, dueling, and more. The Folk are expected “I’m sure he does,” I say, glad onc
13 to dance through the soles of their shoes from sundown to sunup. But the Court of Shadows and to have the
14 five months after Cardan’s becoming High King, the great hall remains “What will you do?” she asks me.
15 always full, the drinking horns overflowing with mead and clover wine. “I’ll go see Prince Balekin. If he
16 The revelry has barely slowed. offer, he’ll have to convince the High
17 It has been a long time since Elfhame had such a young High King, A corner of her mouth lifts. “I’ll c
18 and a wild, reckless air infects the courtiers. The Hunter’s Moon is soon, I glance back at the throne agai
19 sooner even than Taryn’s wedding. If Locke intends to stoke the flames Stay here. Try to keep Cardan from g
20 of revelry higher and higher still, how long before that becomes a danger? “He is trouble,” she reminds me,
21 With some difficulty, I turn my back on Cardan. After all, what ried by her own worrying pronouncem
22 would be the purpose in catching his eye? His hatred is such that he As I head toward the passagewa
23 will do what he can, inside of my commands, to defy me. And he is very across the room, half in shadow, watc
24 good at defiance. close enough to speak, but if he were, I
25 I would like to say that he always hated me, but for a brief, strange Power is much easier to acquire tha
26 time it felt as though we understood each other, maybe even liked each
27S other. Altogether an unlikely alliance, begun with my blade to his
28N throat, it resulted in his trusting me enough to put himself in my power.

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brate the Hunter’s Moon in the Milk- A trust that I betrayed. 01

ill give you a debauch such that bards Once, he tormented me because he was young and bored and angry 02
and cruel. Now he has better reasons for the torments I am sure he 03
dreams of inflicting on me once a year and a day is gone. It will be very 04
rom the crowd up onto the dais, their hard to keep him always under my thumb. 05
andlelight. A girl laughs uproariously I reach the Bomb and she shoves a piece of paper into my hand. 06
drinking it to the dregs. I expect him “Another note for Cardan from Balekin,” she says. “This one made it all 07
red her wings, but he only smiles and the way to the palace before we intercepted it.” 08
“Is it the same as the first two?” 09
Cardan seems all too ready to play She nods. “Much like. Balekin tries to flatter our High King into 10
e followed by a month of revelry— coming to his prison cell. He wants to propose some kind of bargain.” 11
ng, and more. The Folk are expected “I’m sure he does,” I say, glad once again to have been brought into 12
r shoes from sundown to sunup. But the Court of Shadows and to have them still watching my back. 13
ng High King, the great hall remains “What will you do?” she asks me. 14
erflowing with mead and clover wine. “I’ll go see Prince Balekin. If he wants to make the High King an 15
offer, he’ll have to convince the High King’s seneschal first.” 16
lfhame had such a young High King, A corner of her mouth lifts. “I’ll come with you.” 17
courtiers. The Hunter’s Moon is soon, I glance back at the throne again, making a vague gesture. “No. 18
. If Locke intends to stoke the flames Stay here. Try to keep Cardan from getting into trouble.” 19
ow long before that becomes a danger? “He is trouble,” she reminds me, but doesn’t seem particularly wor- 20
my back on Cardan. After all, what ried by her own worrying pronouncement. 21
g his eye? His hatred is such that he As I head toward the passageways into the palace, I spot Madoc 22
ommands, to defy me. And he is very across the room, half in shadow, watching me with his cat eyes. He isn’t 23
close enough to speak, but if he were, I have no doubt what he would say. 24
ways hated me, but for a brief, strange Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold on to. 25
od each other, maybe even liked each 26
iance, begun with my blade to his S27
me enough to put himself in my power. N28

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 01 misting the air. Insweal is a forbidd
02 landscape bare of greenery, just black
03 CHAPTER threaded through with cold iron.

2
04 I tie the horse to one of the black
05 wall of the tower. She whickers nervo
06 her body. I touch her muzzle in what
07 “I won’t be long, and then we can
08 I’d asked the groom for her name.
09 I don’t feel so differently from th
10 wooden door.
11 A large, hairy creature opens it.
12 plate armor, blond fur sticking out fr
13 dier, which used to mean he would tr

B
14 alekin is imprisoned in the Tower of Forgetting on the north- now might mean just the opposite.
15 ernmost part of Insweal, Isle of Woe. Insweal is one of the three “I am Jude Duarte, seneschal to t
16 islands of Elfhame, connected to Insmire and Insmoor by large rocks on the crown’s business. Let me in.”
17 and patches of land, populated with only a few fir trees, silvery stags, He steps aside, pulling the door
18 and the occasional treefolk. It’s possible to cross between Insmire and chamber of the Tower of Forgetting.
19 Insweal entirely on foot, if you don’t mind leaping stone to stone, walk- poorly to the lack of light. I do not h
20 ing through the Milkwood by yourself, and probably getting at least darkness. At least three other guards a
21 somewhat wet. as shapes than anything else.
22 I mind all those things and decide to ride. “You’re here to see Prince Balek
23 As the High King’s seneschal, I have the pick of his stables. Never from the back.
24 much of a rider, I choose a horse that seems docile enough, her coat a It is eerie not to be able to see the
25 soft black color, her mane in complicated and probably magical knots. discomfort away and nod. “Take me t
26 I lead her out while a goblin groom brings me a bit and bridle. “Vulciber,” the voice says. “You ta
27S Then I swing onto her back and direct her toward the Tower of The Tower of Forgetting is so na
28N Forgetting. Waves crashing against the rocks beneath me. Salt spray put Folk when a monarch wants them

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 the wicked king 23

misting the air. Insweal is a forbidding island, large stretches of its 01

landscape bare of greenery, just black rocks and tide pools and a tower 02
APTER threaded through with cold iron. 03

2
I tie the horse to one of the black metal rings driven into the stone 04
wall of the tower. She whickers nervously, her tail tucked hard against 05
her body. I touch her muzzle in what I hope is a reassuring way. 06
“I won’t be long, and then we can get out of here,” I tell her, wishing 07
I’d asked the groom for her name. 08
I don’t feel so differently from the horse as I knock on the heavy 09
wooden door. 10
A large, hairy creature opens it. He’s wearing beautifully wrought 11
plate armor, blond fur sticking out from any gaps. He’s obviously a sol- 12
dier, which used to mean he would treat me well, for Madoc’s sake, but 13
Tower of Forgetting on the north- now might mean just the opposite. 14
of Woe. Insweal is one of the three “I am Jude Duarte, seneschal to the High King,” I tell him. “Here 15
Insmire and Insmoor by large rocks on the crown’s business. Let me in.” 16
ith only a few fir trees, silvery stags, He steps aside, pulling the door open, and I enter the dim ante- 17
ossible to cross between Insmire and chamber of the Tower of Forgetting. My mortal eyes adjust slowly and 18
n’t mind leaping stone to stone, walk- poorly to the lack of light. I do not have the faerie ability to see in near 19
ourself, and probably getting at least darkness. At least three other guards are there, but I perceive them more 20
as shapes than anything else. 21
cide to ride. “You’re here to see Prince Balekin, one supposes,” comes a voice 22
I have the pick of his stables. Never from the back. 23
that seems docile enough, her coat a It is eerie not to be able to see the speaker clearly, but I pretend the 24
plicated and probably magical knots. discomfort away and nod. “Take me to him.” 25
room brings me a bit and bridle. “Vulciber,” the voice says. “You take her.” 26
and direct her toward the Tower of The Tower of Forgetting is so named because it exists as a place to S27
nst the rocks beneath me. Salt spray put Folk when a monarch wants them struck from the Court’s memory. N28

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 24 holly black

01 Most criminals are punished with clever curses, quests, or some other sweat. If we have to fight on the sta
02 form of capricious faerie judgment. To wind up here, one has to have because I’ll probably have only that o
03 really pissed off someone important. Vulciber moves away from me an
04 The guards are mostly soldiers for whom such a bleak and lonely falls on the steps and start counting i
05 location suits their temperament— or those whose commanders intend then a torch flares to life, emitting gre
06 them to learn humility from the position. As I look over at the shadowy “Well?” he demands. “Are you co
07 figures, it’s hard to guess which sort they are. The stairs pass several cells, some
08 Vulciber comes toward me, and I recognize the hairy soldier who sit far enough from the bars that th
09 opened the door. He looks to be at least part troll, heavy-browed and them. None do I recognize until the l
10 long-limbed. Prince Balekin’s black hair is held
11 “Lead on,” I say. alty. Despite being imprisoned, he ba
12 He gives me a hard look in return. I am not sure what he dislikes cover the damp stone of the floor. He
13 about me—my mortality, my position, my intruding on his evening. ing me with hooded, owl-bright eyes.
14 I don’t ask. I just follow him down stone stairs into the wet, mineral- elegant table. Balekin turns a handle
15 scented darkness. The bloom of soil is heavy in the air, and there is a into fragile porcelain. The scent of it m
16 rotten, mushroomy odor I cannot place. But no matter how elegant he ap
17 I stop when the dark grows too deep and I fear I am going to stum- Forgetting, a few ruddy moths alight
18 ble. “Light the lamps,” I say. he spilled the old High King’s blood
19 Vulciber moves in close, his breath on my face, carrying with it the which fluttered through the air for
20 scent of wet leaves. “And if I will not?” seeming to die. I thought they were a
21 A thin knife comes easily into my hand, slipping down out of a low him still, a reminder of his sins.
22 sleeve holster. I press the point against his side, just under the ribs. “Best “Our Lady Jude of the Court of
23 you don’t find out.” believes that will charm me. “May I o
24 “But you can’t see,” he insists, as though I have played some kind of There is a movement in one of the
25 dirty trick on him by not being as intimidated as he’d hoped. parties are like when I’m not around.
26 “Maybe I just prefer a little more light,” I say, trying to keep my I’m not pleased he’s aware of the
27S voice even, though my heart is beating wildly, my palms starting to tion with them, but I can’t be entirel
28N

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 the wicked king 25

h clever curses, quests, or some other sweat. If we have to fight on the stairs, I better strike fast and true, 01
nt. To wind up here, one has to have because I’ll probably have only that one shot. 02
nt. Vulciber moves away from me and my knife. I hear his heavy foot- 03
rs for whom such a bleak and lonely falls on the steps and start counting in case I have to follow blind. But 04
— or those whose commanders intend then a torch flares to life, emitting green fire. 05
osition. As I look over at the shadowy “Well?” he demands. “Are you coming?” 06
rt they are. The stairs pass several cells, some empty and some whose occupants 07
nd I recognize the hairy soldier who sit far enough from the bars that the torchlight does not illuminate 08
at least part troll, heavy-browed and them. None do I recognize until the last. 09
Prince Balekin’s black hair is held by a circlet, a reminder of his roy- 10
alty. Despite being imprisoned, he barely looks discomfited. Three rugs 11
eturn. I am not sure what he dislikes cover the damp stone of the floor. He sits in a carved armchair, watch- 12
sition, my intruding on his evening. ing me with hooded, owl-bright eyes. A golden samovar rests on a small, 13
wn stone stairs into the wet, mineral- elegant table. Balekin turns a handle, and steaming, fragrant tea spills 14
oil is heavy in the air, and there is a into fragile porcelain. The scent of it makes me think of seaweed. 15
place. But no matter how elegant he appears, he is still in the Tower of 16
o deep and I fear I am going to stum- Forgetting, a few ruddy moths alighting on the wall above him. When 17
he spilled the old High King’s blood, the droplets turned into moths, 18
reath on my face, carrying with it the which fluttered through the air for a few stunning moments before 19
not?” seeming to die. I thought they were all gone, but it seems that a few fol- 20
to my hand, slipping down out of a low him still, a reminder of his sins. 21
inst his side, just under the ribs. “Best “Our Lady Jude of the Court of Shadows,” he says, as though he 22
believes that will charm me. “May I offer you a cup?” 23
as though I have played some kind of There is a movement in one of the other cells. I consider what his tea 24
intimidated as he’d hoped. parties are like when I’m not around. 25
more light,” I say, trying to keep my I’m not pleased he’s aware of the Court of Shadows or my associa- 26
beating wildly, my palms starting to tion with them, but I can’t be entirely surprised, either—Prince Dain, S27
N28

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 26 holly black

01 our spymaster and employer, was Balekin’s brother. And if Balekin so I guess I can allow for some hard fe
02 knew about the Court of Shadows, he probably recognized one of them with a compliment. Just don’t try me
03 as they stole the Blood Crown and got it into my brother’s hands so he Vulciber looks abruptly unsure of
04 could place it on Cardan’s head. Balekin takes a sip of his tea. “You
05 Balekin has good reason to not be entirely pleased to see me. “And why shouldn’t I?” I say. “I s
06 “I must regretfully refuse tea,” I say. “I won’t be here long. You sent Do you think he’s interested in com
07 the High King some correspondence. Something about a deal? A bar- from the palace and its pleasures, to tr
08 gain? I am here on his behalf to hear whatever it is you wish to say hands he suffered?”
09 to him.” Prince Balekin leans forward in h
10 His smile seems to twist in on itself, to grow ugly. “You think me you mean.”
11 diminished,” Balekin says. “But I am still a prince of Faerie, even here. “And I wonder what message you’
12 Vulciber, won’t you take my brother’s seneschal and give her a smack in Balekin regards me—no doubt o
13 her pretty, little face?” He takes another careful sip of tea. “
14 The strike comes openhanded, faster than I would have guessed, the feeling of falling in love is very like th
15 sound of the slap shockingly loud as his palm connects with my skin. It fast. Your senses are heightened. You
16 leaves my cheek stinging and me furious. dizzy.” He looks at me. “Is that right?
17 My knife is back in my right hand, its twin in my left. kind if it’s possible to mistake the two
18 Vulciber wears an eager expression. “I’ve never been in love,” I tell him
19 My pride urges me to fight, but he’s bigger than me and in a space “And of course, you can lie,” he s
20 familiar to him. This would be no mere sparring contest. Still, the find that helpful. Why Dain would
21 urge to best him, the urge to wipe the expression from his smug face, is have brought you into his little gang o
22 overwhelming. would spare you. Whatever else you c
23 Almost overwhelming. Pride is for knights, I remind myself, not for marvelously unsentimental.
24 spies. “For my part, I barely thought of
25 “My pretty face,” I murmur to Balekin, putting away my knives only to goad Cardan with your acco
26 slowly. I stretch my fingers to touch my cheek. Vulciber hit me hard Cardan never did: ambition. Had I on
27S enough for my own teeth to have cut the inside of my mouth. I spit now. But I think you’ve misjudged m
28N blood onto the stone floor. “Such flattery. I cheated you out of a crown, “Oh?” I know I am not going to l

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 the wicked king 27

s Balekin’s brother. And if Balekin so I guess I can allow for some hard feelings. Especially when they come 01
, he probably recognized one of them with a compliment. Just don’t try me again.” 02
d got it into my brother’s hands so he Vulciber looks abruptly unsure of himself. 03
Balekin takes a sip of his tea. “You speak very freely, mortal girl.” 04
t be entirely pleased to see me. “And why shouldn’t I?” I say. “I speak with the High King’s voice. 05
I say. “I won’t be here long. You sent Do you think he’s interested in coming all the way down here, away 06
nce. Something about a deal? A bar- from the palace and its pleasures, to treat with the elder brother at whose 07
hear whatever it is you wish to say hands he suffered?” 08
Prince Balekin leans forward in his chair. “I wonder what you think 09
n itself, to grow ugly. “You think me you mean.” 10
am still a prince of Faerie, even here. “And I wonder what message you’d like me to give the High King.” 11
er’s seneschal and give her a smack in Balekin regards me—no doubt one of my cheeks must be flushed. 12
He takes another careful sip of tea. “I have heard that for mortals, the 13
, faster than I would have guessed, the feeling of falling in love is very like the feeling of fear. Your heart beats 14
as his palm connects with my skin. It fast. Your senses are heightened. You grow light-headed, maybe even 15
urious. dizzy.” He looks at me. “Is that right? It would explain much about your 16
and, its twin in my left. kind if it’s possible to mistake the two.” 17
sion. “I’ve never been in love,” I tell him, refusing to be rattled. 18
ut he’s bigger than me and in a space “And of course, you can lie,” he says. “I can see why Cardan would 19
no mere sparring contest. Still, the find that helpful. Why Dain would have, too. It was clever of him to 20
the expression from his smug face, is have brought you into his little gang of misfits. Clever to see that Madoc 21
would spare you. Whatever else you could say about my brother, he was 22
is for knights, I remind myself, not for marvelously unsentimental. 23
“For my part, I barely thought of you at all, and when I did, it was 24
to Balekin, putting away my knives only to goad Cardan with your accomplishments. But you have what 25
uch my cheek. Vulciber hit me hard Cardan never did: ambition. Had I only seen that, I would have a crown 26
e cut the inside of my mouth. I spit now. But I think you’ve misjudged me, too.” S27
flattery. I cheated you out of a crown, “Oh?” I know I am not going to like this. N28

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 28 holly black

01 “I won’t give you the message I meant for Cardan. It will come to Vulciber looks a question at the g
02 him another way, and it will come to him soon.” Balekin.
03 “Then you waste both our time,” I say, annoyed. I have come all the “Go quickly,” the shadowy figure
04 way here, been hit, and frightened for nothing. And so Vulciber accompanies m
05 “Ah, time,” he says. “You’re the only one short on that, mortal.” He Tower of Forgetting. Illuminated by
06 nods at Vulciber. “You may escort her out.” with salt spray, a glittering coating, l
07 “Let’s go,” the guard says, giving me a none-too-gentle shove toward focus on the guard and not the soun
08 the steps. As I ascend, I glance back at Balekin’s face, severe in the green haven’t heard in so many years that, f
09 torchlight. He resembles Cardan too much for my comfort. was important to me.
10 I am partway up when a long-fingered hand reaches out from Eva.
11 between the bars and grips my ankle. Startled, I slip, scraping my palms “That horse has only a bit and brid
12 and banging my knees as I go sprawling on the stairs. The old stab black steed tied to the wall. “But you
13 wound at the center of my left hand throbs suddenly. I barely catch I stab him in the arm with a little
14 myself before I tumble all the way down the steps. my doublet. “I lied.”
15 Beside me is the thin face of a faerie woman. Her tail curls around It takes some doing to haul him
16 one of the bars. Short horns sweep back from her brow. “I knew your the horse. She is trained with famili
17 Eva,” she says to me, eyes glittering in the gloom. “I knew your mother. kneeling, which helps. I move as quick
18 Knew so many of her little secrets.” guards will come to check on us, but
19 I push myself to my feet and climb the steps as quickly as I can, we are up and moving.
20 my heart racing faster than when I thought I was going to have to fight Another reason to ride to Inswe
21 Vulciber in the dark. My breath comes in short, rapid gasps that make know what you might be bringing ba
22 my lungs hurt.
23 At the top of the stairs, I pause to wipe my stinging palms against
24 my doublet and try to get myself under control.
25 “Ah,” I say to Vulciber when my breathing has calmed a little. “I
26 nearly forgot. The High King gave me a scroll of commands. There are
27S a few changes in how he wishes his brother to be treated. They’re out-
28N side in my saddlebags. If you could just follow me—”

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 the wicked king 29

I meant for Cardan. It will come to Vulciber looks a question at the guard who sent him to guide me to 01
to him soon.” Balekin. 02
e,” I say, annoyed. I have come all the “Go quickly,” the shadowy figure says. 03
for nothing. And so Vulciber accompanies me through the great door of the 04
e only one short on that, mortal.” He Tower of Forgetting. Illuminated by the moon, the black rocks shine 05
her out.” with salt spray, a glittering coating, like that on sugared fruit. I try to 06
ng me a none-too-gentle shove toward focus on the guard and not the sound of my mother’s name, which I 07
k at Balekin’s face, severe in the green haven’t heard in so many years that, for a moment, I didn’t know why it 08
oo much for my comfort. was important to me. 09
ong-fingered hand reaches out from Eva. 10
kle. Startled, I slip, scraping my palms “That horse has only a bit and bridle,” Vulciber says, frowning at the 11
prawling on the stairs. The old stab black steed tied to the wall. “But you said—” 12
hand throbs suddenly. I barely catch I stab him in the arm with a little pin I kept hidden in the lining of 13
down the steps. my doublet. “I lied.” 14
a faerie woman. Her tail curls around It takes some doing to haul him up and sling him over the back of 15
p back from her brow. “I knew your the horse. She is trained with familiar military commands, including 16
g in the gloom. “I knew your mother. kneeling, which helps. I move as quickly as I can, for fear that one of the 17
” guards will come to check on us, but I am lucky. No one comes before 18
climb the steps as quickly as I can, we are up and moving. 19
I thought I was going to have to fight Another reason to ride to Insweal, rather than walk—you never 20
omes in short, rapid gasps that make know what you might be bringing back with you. 21
22
se to wipe my stinging palms against 23
under control. 24
my breathing has calmed a little. “I 25
e me a scroll of commands. There are 26
is brother to be treated. They’re out- S27
d just follow me—” N28

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 THE ENCHANTING AND BLOODTHIRSTY
SEQUEL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
BESTSELLING NOVEL THE CRUEL PRINCE.
‘You must be strong enough to strike
and strike and strike again without tiring.
The first lesson is to make
yourself strong.’
After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to
Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do
so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and
made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the
constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be
difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does
everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even
as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude

means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of
everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight
her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control
as a mortal in a Faerie world.

8th January 2019

Trade Paperback | | ISBN: 9781471408038

This is an uncorrected sampler and is not for sale or reproduction.

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