The Queen of Nothing

Rulers of the lower courts and their attendants arrive at Cardan’s palace, ostensibly to offer him support against Madoc. The council suspects their real motive is to identify weakness in Cardan’s kingdom and attempt a coup of their own. Cardan wants Jude to reassure all the rulers they will win against Madoc, since she unlike him, can lie. At the reception of the rulers, Jude gets a chance to speak with Heather. She is worried Vivienne may have tricked Heather into accompanying her to Faerie. Heather says Vivienne agreed to bring her to the faerie realm on one condition: once they head back to the human world, Vivienne will wipe out Heather’s memory of all things faerie, including her. Heather doesn’t want to forget Vivienne, but Vivienne has made the deal in such a way that backtracking now is impossible. Meanwhile, Cardan toasts all the new guests, offering traitors the hospitality of his queen, implying Jude’s retribution. Jude knows Cardan is making her seem ferocious to win her the respect of the courtiers. She notes that each of them bows to her when they take her leave.

Back in the royal rooms, Jude and Cardan make love. Jude is surprised at Cardan’s vulnerability.