The Cruel Prince

The two faeries in the Court of Shadows introduce themselves to Jude. One is called the Ghost, the other the Bomb. The Roach updates the Ghost and the Bomb on what Jude has learned about Balekin. Then, he asks Jude when she will have time to work for the Court of Shadows. Jude says that she is typically available during the day when everyone else is asleep. The Roach promises that he will start coming to Jude when she is free to give her lessons. He also tells her that, eventually, she will receive her own nickname. At that time, she will know that she is officially part of the Court.

After her meeting with the Court of Shadows, Jude travels home. When she arrives, she sees Vivi, Taryn, and Locke playing with Oak. When Locke sees Jude, he meets her near Madoc’s stables so they can speak in private. Locke asks Jude where she has been and, when she does not get an answer, he encourages her to return to school. Additionally, he asks Jude why she has not told Madoc about what has been happening between her and Cardan. Jude tells Locke that Madoc would respond with violence if he knew what Cardan had done, which surprises Locke. Then, Locke leaves, but before he goes, he kisses Jude’s hand and promises to call on her again.

After dinner, Madoc gives Jude a stack of books from his personal collection. He orders her to read them and report to him so he can test her once she is done. Too exhausted to protest, Jude takes the books to her room and immediately lies down in bed. Moments later, Taryn enters her room and asks her about Locke. Although she is reticent at first, Jude eventually confesses to what happened in the stables and tells Taryn that she thinks Locke is better than the company he keeps.

Taryn also shares a secret of her own with Jude. She admits that she is dating a faerie boy, though she will not say who. However, she does say that the boy intends to declare himself to Madoc at Dain’s coronation. Taryn also says that she thinks Jude will like the boy, though she does not provide any further details. Jude is happy for Taryn, though she is curious about the identity of this mysterious faerie boy.

Then, Jude shows Taryn the copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, though her geas prevents her from saying how she obtained it. Taryn reads some of it aloud, which reminds Jude of how their mother used to read to them. Jude falls asleep to the sound of Taryn’s voice. When Jude wakes up, she sees a piece of paper on the floor, which fell out of the book. The paper has Cardan’s handwriting on it and says the word “Jude” dozens of times.