The Folk of the Air, #2
The Wicked King
by Holly Black
Contents
Chapter 8
Overview
Jude searches Eldred’s old rooms with the Bomb and finds them physically safe but emotionally charged by royal memories, including a glimpse of Cardan’s neglected childhood. The Bomb reveals her painful history with Van, the Roach, and the Court of Teeth, deepening the spy network’s personal stakes.
At a banquet, gifts hidden in Undersea fish signal political maneuvering, while Nicasia attacks Jude’s insecurity and jealousy. Jude learns that Cardan’s mother was an unrecognized lower-Court woman and publicly hardens her claim to Elfhame and its king, even as the clock on her control over Cardan keeps running down.
Summary
Jude meets the Bomb in High King Eldred’s unused rooms to search them before forcing Cardan to move into the most secure part of the palace. Jude tries to ignore Nicasia’s warning that someone trusted has betrayed Jude, and tells the Bomb that the supposed assassin incident was really a romantic misunderstanding involving Cardan.
Jude and the Bomb search the chambers for traps or hidden dangers. Among Eldred’s stored possessions, Jude finds enchanted crystal orbs containing scenes from the royal family’s past: young Dain with Elowyn and Rhyia, newborn Balekin with thorns growing from his skin, and a small, neglected Cardan being shoved away by his mother before winning her approval through violence. The memory unsettles Jude, helping explain Cardan’s discomfort with the rooms.
While testing the king’s bed, the Bomb becomes embarrassed when Jude guesses that the Bomb has feelings for the Roach, whose real name is Van. The Bomb explains that her people died in a Court war, that Van found her in the mortal world and recognized her talent for potions and explosives, and that the Court of Teeth later cursed and forced both of them into service. Van helped the Bomb endure captivity, and Dain eventually recruited the Bomb, Van, and the Ghost into his spy network.
After finding no traps, Jude concludes the rooms are safe, though Jude wishes Cardan had a safer place to stay. At the midnight banquet, Undersea fish are served with treasures hidden inside them, suggesting Orlagh’s attempt to impress or influence the Court. Jude notices Randalin ignoring her, Locke near Cardan, and Cardan behaving lazily and beautifully enough to unsettle Jude after their recent intimacy.
Nicasia sits beside Jude and needles Jude about Locke, Taryn, Cardan, and Jude’s place in Faerie. Jude declares Elfhame to be Jude’s land and Cardan Jude’s king, provoking Nicasia’s jealousy. In exchange for an explanation of how Jude gained influence over Cardan, Nicasia reveals that Cardan’s mother was a lower-Court woman whom Eldred never made a consort; Jude responds by claiming that Jude won Cardan’s obedience with kisses and threats of more kisses. The chapter ends with Jude thinking of Cardan as Jude’s king, but only for the remaining term of their bargain.
Who Appears
- Jude DuarteSearches Eldred’s rooms, weighs Cardan’s safety, spars with Nicasia, and asserts her claim to Elfhame.
- The BombHelps inspect the royal chambers and confides her history and feelings for Van.
- NicasiaTaunts Jude at the banquet, shows jealousy over Cardan, and reveals Cardan’s mother’s status.
- Cardan GreenbriarHigh King whose safety, childhood neglect, and uneasy bond with Jude shape the chapter.
- The Roach / VanAbsent but central to the Bomb’s backstory as her longtime partner, rescuer, and love.
- LockeAppears beside Cardan at the banquet and remains a sore point in Nicasia and Jude’s exchange.