The Folk of the Air, #3
The Queen of Nothing
by Holly Black
Contents
Chapter 4
Overview
Taryn reveals that Locke is dead because she killed him, forcing Jude to confront both her hatred of Taryn and the tangled grief left by Locke’s cruelty. Taryn needs Jude to impersonate her during an inquest in Elfhame, where glamour would otherwise expose Taryn’s guilt.
Although returning to Faerie risks execution because of Jude’s exile, Jude agrees, partly out of practicality and partly because she longs for Elfhame, power, and Cardan. The decision pulls Jude back toward the world that cast her out and deepens the unresolved secrets between the sisters.
Summary
Jude reacts with fury when she finds Taryn in Heather and Vivi’s apartment. Jude refuses to listen, threatens to leave, and storms outside, but Taryn follows and blurts out the reason for her visit: Locke is dead, and Taryn killed him.
Jude is stunned by Locke’s death and by her own mixed response. Locke tormented Jude and betrayed both sisters, yet the news still brings grief and disbelief. Taryn asks Jude to pretend to be her for a few hours, but Jude first demands to know why Taryn murdered her husband.
Back inside, Jude showers and tends her injuries while Taryn helps her. The sisters discuss the night before Taryn’s wedding, when Locke led a hunt that nearly killed Jude. Jude explains that she did not know Locke was responsible until she saw Taryn wearing Jude’s lost earrings, and that soon afterward Taryn betrayed Jude by helping Madoc. Taryn apologizes, though the resentment between them remains unresolved.
After Heather leaves, Taryn prepares tea and food while Jude drinks healing yarrow tea. Taryn confesses that Locke neglected her, mocked her, and made her feel emptied of story and worth. During an argument, Taryn snapped and stabbed Locke in the throat with a jeweled letter opener, then tried to dispose of the body in the sea, but the tide returned it to shore.
Taryn explains that there will be an inquest in Elfhame where she will be glamoured and questioned, and because she cannot lie, she needs Jude to answer in her place. Vivi objects because Jude is exiled and could be executed if discovered, but Jude realizes her geas protects her from glamour and admits, at least to herself, that she wants an excuse to return to Elfhame and possibly see Cardan.
Vivi urges Jude to tell Taryn the truth about what Jude is, meaning Jude’s hidden status as Cardan’s wife and High Queen, but Jude cannot bring herself to reveal it. Instead, Jude decides to impersonate Taryn at the inquest and promises to explain later. Vivi warns her again that being caught could mean death, and Jude answers that she simply will not get caught.
Who Appears
- Jude DuarteExiled High Queen; angrily hears Taryn’s confession and agrees to risk returning to Elfhame.
- Taryn DuarteJude’s twin; confesses to killing Locke and begs Jude to impersonate her at the inquest.
- ViviJude and Taryn’s sister; warns Jude that returning to Faerie could get her executed.
- LockeTaryn’s dead husband; his cruelty and murder drive Taryn’s plea for help.
- HeatherVivi’s girlfriend; briefly witnesses the confrontation before leaving the apartment.