The Queen of Faith is the opening act of Mark Teppo's first collection, The Court of Lies. These six stories dive deep into childhood fairy tales, swap spit with Lovecraftian monstrosities, rail against the world from atop a burning soapbox, offer a means to influence people and make friends via a plate of cookies, and warn of the danger that lies in inviting dreamers to sit at your table. These are stories of liars, heartbreakers, and fabulists; the way they see the world is undoubtedly the way it truly is.

At least one sentence of the previous paragraph is true. Welcome to the Court of Lies. The Queen suggests you place your trust in her . . .