The Seven Year King (The Faerie Ring #3) Read Online Free PDF

faerie only to lose his kingdom to her deceptions. Like the paintings on the ceiling of the UnSeelie Court, were these images snapshots of the truth, as well?
    “Rieker, look—” she nudged him where he stood next to the throne and started to point to the ceiling when her attention was diverted. Those who had remained in the Great Hall after Donegal’s departure had gathered in front of the throne and were bowing down to her. Even as she watched, faeries began arriving at the Palace of Mirrors.
    The Macanna had been the first to arrive, great hulks of men and women who took positions around the throne and throughout the Great Hall, clearly guarding her. These were the men and women who had followed her father, Finn MacLochlan, when he’d left the Seelie Court of his father, Finvarra, and made his way to London. They held spiked mauls and curved daggers, their arms crossed over their immense red-coated chests, but smiles lit their faces as they celebrated the changing of the guard.
    The trill of a panpipe started playing a jaunty tune at the back of the hall, soon joined by reedy flutes and the lofty tones of a harp. The little man who’d spoken to her at Westminster Abbey when the Stone of Tara had first roared approached the throne and swept his tri-corn hat from his head.
    “Welcome to the Seelie Court, Majesty.” The light flashed off the golden buckles of his long shoes as he danced a small jig. “It is at last the time for celebration.” He locked arms with another little man next to him and they danced into the crowd, waving their hats above their heads.
    The party grew louder and the room crowded as more and more faeries of the Seelie Court arrived. Tiki watched in amazement as they took turns coming to greet her and offer their welcome. A vast array of creatures filled the room. Many were gorgeous and almost human-looking in their appearance, while others were distinctly other-worldly and unfamiliar.
    “You are very beautiful, Majesty,” croaked one small man whose bulging eyes reminded Tiki of a frog. He spread his short arms in a deep bow. “Welcome.”
    Others came and paid their respects, nodding and bowing before her.
    “At long last, a queen for the Seelie court. Welcome Majesty.” The familiar scratchy tone caught Tiki’s attention. She spied the speaker some distance from the throne. Wraith-thin and wrapped in rags, Tiki was sure it was the beggar who had been on the path of the Night Garden on her very first visit to the Palace of Mirrors. The creature’s skin was paper-thin and did little to hide the jutting bones of its skull.
    “Thank you,” she said gently. Unsure if she was speaking to a male or female, Tiki’s heart went out to the wretched state they were in. “Are you ill?”
    The creature shook its head, greasy strands of hair shifting with the movement. Its chin was propped on its hand, as if the weight was too great to bear. “Just hungry.”
    Jarred, Tiki peered closer. Was this creature in this state from lack of food? Tiki would never forget the months of being so hungry that a constant ache had filled her entire being. Larkin had told Tiki and Rieker that the illusions of the faerie court hid a world that was falling apart—were faeries starving here?
    Tiki leaned toward Larkin, who stood on one side of the throne surveying the crowd, a victorious smile creasing her lips. “Where do we get food?”
    “The kitchens, of course. Why do you ask?” Larkin’s eyes flicked to the small creature at the bottom of the steps. A frown tightened her brow.
    “Because we’re having a celebration and we need food.” Tiki’s voice grew stronger. “For everyone.”
    IN LESS THAN an hour, tables lined one wall of the Great Hall, laden with an astonishing array of tasty treats. Tiki whispered in Rieker’s ear and within minutes one of the Macanna approached with a full plate. Steam rose from the colorful selection of food and Tiki’s stomach rumbled as she inhaled the scent of the