Tellus

by Tyffany Hackett

  “I do.”

  Sylvr stood then, wrapping a length of cloth over her mahogany curls. She scooped the basket of baked treats into her arms. “I should go too. Prepare the shop for the morning. You’ll be along soon?”

  “Of course,” Meryn said, jumping to her feet to kiss Sylvr goodbye. Her fingers brushed absently over her lips as her partner left, then she spun, a wicked twinkle in her eyes.

  “Speaking of love . . .” She grinned. I flopped backward, sprawling dramatically across the patchwork of rugs on her floor. “Oh come on, we haven’t had a chance to talk without Jyn in ages. Years, maybe.”

  “Yes, well. He’s trying to loosen up with Camion around,” I said, sitting up with a grimace when a quill jabbed into my back. I shot a glance toward the window. “He’s struggling to adjust, but he’s trying. I just hope he doesn’t think I need him less because of Camion.”

  “Well, let’s be honest. You do need him less with Camion around.”

  “But I still need him.”

  “Of course, you do,” Meryn agreed. “He’s one of your dearest friends, and he’s invaluable as a guard. But he also knows you’re not fourteen anymore.”

  “I know . . .”

  “And since you’re not fourteen anymore, there has to be juicy details.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Nothing has happened. I barely see Cam.”

  “Oh?” Her nostrils flared. “You positively reek of lavender today.”

  Warmth spread across my cheeks. “He stayed with me last night.”

  “He stayed with you?” she teased. Her grin widened and so did her eyes. “In the palace? With Wulfric here?”

  “Yes.” I sighed. “I know the risks, but we’re going to announce him this afternoon anyway. Besides, after the rest of the Council gets here, I won’t be able to look at him without one of them casting me a sideways glance. And that’s before I formally announce him.”

  “You don’t need to convince me. I’m glad you’re happy.”

  A small smile curved the corner of my lips, but after a moment, it fell. “Take care of him while they’re here, would you? You’re close to the armory. Make sure he’s eating, sleeping? In case I can’t sneak away.”

  Meryn’s hazel eyes locked onto mine. “You’re really worried about this Council visit.” The words weren’t a question.

  I wrung my hands where they rested on my lap. “They can’t stop me from marrying him, but they can make his life hell. Or chase him off.” Before I could stop myself, my fears spilled from my lips. “As king, his power would be through me. The Council could refuse to let him rule if something were to happen to me. Especially if there were no heir. Technically, he would take the throne through marriage, unless he chose to pass in favor of Annalea.” When Meryn seemed confused, I added, “I overheard Mother and Father talking once. Children of the ruling pair would take precedence over blood heirs.”

  “Your relationship with Camion is new. Don’t put so much stress on the marriage or children parts until you’re both ready.”

  “I don’t have a choice but to stress over this. My relationships aren’t like yours. You can marry Sylvr when you’re ready, or you can choose to never marry. No one would be any the wiser. Nor would anyone pass judgment on your decisions.” I stared at my fingers, at the hangnails and jagged edges. “I have to marry. Any relationship I’m in will have to meet that fact head on. Like it or no, anyone I even consider will be put up to the political chopping block.”

  Meryn had grown quiet, her expression distant. After a long beat of silence, she cleared her throat. “I’m considering, you know. Asking Sylvr to marry me.”

  “You should.” I grinned. “She’s perfect.”

  She studied me for a moment, her gaze unwavering. “Do you ever wish it were Andimir? Not that he was Camion, but that you’d never lost your first love to begin with?”

  “No. I don’t know his reasons for leaving, but he’s gone. I can’t be haunted by the what-ifs of that past. Andimir would have handled the formalities better. We couldn’t expect any less of one born into nobility. Camion is lost, but I don’t want anyone else. I wish I knew how to help him, though.”

  Meryn scooted closer, resting her head on my shoulder. She wrapped an arm around me. “Teach him. Teach him all the formalities, all the nuances. Be patient with him. Let yourself love him, Natylia, politics aside. I’m almost positive he’s already completely in love with you. Has been for a while now, if my observations are correct. At the end of the day, that will be the measure of your relationship’s success. Not the outside or political influences, but how much you love each other.”

  “I know.” I hugged her. The scent of vanilla mingled with herbs tickled my nose. “If not for my father, I wouldn’t even be able to consider him. There’s something to be said for that.”

  “Exactly,” Meryn said, pulling away. “Learn from your father. Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. True love is worth fighting for.”

  “You’re right,” I admitted. My attention fell to the gnarled hand she had taken from the Emberlyn Forest, the skin dried and shriveling now. Meryn caught my stare. “I still have no idea what those creatures are. I’ve found nothing. Not yet, anyway.”

  “Disgusting.” I grimaced. “That’s what.”

  Meryn shrugged. “Skin and bone, it’s what we’re all made of anyway. His just has scales on top.” Climbing to her feet, she grabbed a shawl from one of her chairs, looping the dark fabric around her shoulders. “I need to run into town and get Sylvr the herbs she needed to stock in the shop. We’ve been wiped out lately, with more people wandering through than usual. Do you want to come along?”

  I frowned. Increased visitors in Thrais? Emberlyn Forest would never be the same. I shook my head. “No, I would rather avoid town until the Council sets everyone straight.”

  “And you’re dying to know what happened with Camion and Wulfric.”

  “Also that,” I admitted.

  Meryn quirked a half smile as I stood and slipped past her. She draped a basket over her arm, packed past the brim with bundles of dried herbs and flowers. “Let me know how that goes, yes? This afternoon? I should be back around dinner.”

  “Will do.”

  “And Nat?” I turned from the door. She smiled sweetly. “Camion is a strong man. Don’t worry. He’ll figure out his rhythm. Give him time. The best gift you can give him right now is your support, and patience.”

  “It’s hard to believe you and I are the same age,” I teased. “Thanks for the advice.”

  ***

  Shortly before lunch, a sharp knock sounded on my door. Jyn leapt to his feet at the sound, littering the floor with the stack of books that had been teetering on the arm of his chair. I glared from where I lounged beside the fire, munching on an apple while I pored over pages of Araenna’s history. When Camion stepped through the door I paused, watching his every movement as he crossed the room to drop beside me.

  For a moment, he stared holes into the rug, then he said, “I think he was impressed.”

  “You think?” Jyn asked. He hadn’t been able to make anything out earlier, despite all his spying. The armory was too shuttered off, he claimed, with the forge not in use. He couldn’t hear or see inside. I wondered how hard he had actually tried. Maybe he realized what I already had—that a visible interference would be read as lack of confidence in our new Arms Master.

  “I’m not entirely sure,” Camion replied with a frown. “Wulfric wasn’t very forthcoming with his thoughts. He grunted a lot and said ‘interesting’ more times than I can count.”

  I looped my fingers through his and squeezed, offering him the other half of my apple. He bit through the red skin and watched Jyn pace across the room—back and forth, back and forth. His unease made me frown.

  “Jyn? Your thoughts?”

  “I think he already suspects who Camion is to you.” Jyn paused. “And that he, in light of that discovery, has already formulated an opinion.”

  “I have t
o agree,” Camion said. “He’s observant, with a keen eye for detail. We’ve been subtle, but probably not subtle enough.”

  “So, what then? We have lunch with him and then attend this introduction as though we’re not aware he knows?”

  “We won’t have much choice,” Jyn said. He pulled a dagger loose, tossing and catching the blade in time with his resumed pacing. “We need to keep everything as casual as possible. Wulfric needs to remain on our side.”

  “And if he doesn’t?” Camion avoided my eyes.

  “Then we work that much harder to convince the others,” I said gently, determination spiking in my veins.

  I stared at Jyn for a long moment, eyeing his beaten leathers—quite possibly the same ones he wore in the catacombs, if the tears and mysterious stains were any indication. Before I could open my mouth, he caught my eyes.

  “Something wrong, Princess?”

  “You should change.”

  “Oh, because you’re fit for a meal,” he scoffed, scaling my tan breeches and fraying shirt with a glance.

  I rolled my eyes, climbing to my feet. “I’m changing as well. Cam, can you meet us in the foyer in a while? I can send word, if that will help.” He stood, brushing my arm gently as he passed. I grabbed his wrist. “I’ll have Raye bring food up for you. Eat? Please?”

  “For you.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek before he left. My eyes lingered on the door too long. Jyn stepped up beside me, bumping me with a shoulder.

  “He understands, you know? That you hate the formality, the rules. He knows how you feel.” Jyn paused. “Annalea will be at lunch, though, with Raul. We can’t leave them alone with Wulfric too long.”

  Raul, my sister’s guard. They had grown closer when we went into Emberlyn Forest, and I had to admit I was glad she had a friend. Annalea had always been so close with our mother that she missed out on making any real friends. She had enjoyed formal dinners, visiting nobility, scoffing at my shenanigans with Lucian and Andimir. Even Meryn, who had offered to help with her interest in botany, had been held at arm’s length.

  This friendship with Raul was good for her.

  With a long sigh, I shook my thoughts away, then moved to pull a powder blue dress of cotton and lace from my wardrobe. The skirts were loose, thin, closer to something Meryn would choose. I couldn’t imagine wearing formal attire today, though. My nerves were already frayed. Truth be told, my stomach was recoiling at the idea of a full meal but, out of necessity, I would attend lunch.

  Politics were a game. Who could remain impassive the longest. Who could fight without showing their hand. The only way I could stay with a man I loved was to win over the Council. One member at a time, if needed. And that topic was only an introduction to the bigger issue we faced—getting their approval to leave the palace again, so we could seek out the next Scepter.

  I didn’t have much confidence in our appeal. In fact, comparatively, presenting Camion would be the easy part.

  ***

  Wulfric excused himself long enough to smoke his pipe before he met my “secret suitor.” I had struggled to restrain a laugh when he uttered the phrase.

  Now, we waited. I sent a servant to retrieve Camion and immediately resumed pacing the length of the foyer. Jyn tried to offer comfort, to reassure me, but nerves sat tight in my chest. All my concentration was bent on not curling into a ball of panic.

  “Breathe, Princess,” Jyn murmured. He grabbed my arm carefully, tugging me into a hug. “One way or another, you’ll be fine.”

  “I know.” An imaginary fist squeezed my heart, though.

  When he released me, I brushed off my dress and smoothed my hair. The palace doors opened wide, the timing perfect, Wulfric’s smile wide.

  “Your Majesty. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

  “Of course not, Sir Wulfric.”

  “I look forward to meeting your beau, My Queen. I admit, I’m curious what man could pull your affections away from Lucian.”

  “A rodent would be more worthy of her attention,” Jyn scoffed under his breath.

  “I have no feelings for Lucian,” I said quickly, side-eyeing Jyn. “Not romantically, in any case. That helps smooth the matter in my mind.”

  “Fair point,” Wulfric conceded. “Where is the lad?”

  “He should be along any moment now,” I said, forcing a broad smile. Footsteps tapped down the stairs behind us. I turned. Emotions welled up in my throat and shoved my breath away.

  Raye had worked more magic with a satiny vest similar to the one he wore the other evening. Though, this vest was dark blue with silver embroidery; the sleeves of his white undershirt rolled to the elbow. His hair was tied back this time, into a leather strap that touched the nape of his neck.

  Camion strode across the room, the picture of calm confidence as he laced his fingers through mine. He stooped into a low bow. “Sir Wulfric. A pleasure to see you again.”

  Not a hint of surprise touched Wulfric’s features. Only amusement danced in his eyes. He crossed his arms with a smile. “Yes, I had suspected as much,” he said, not bothering to hide the appraisal he raked over Camion. “When Lucian said you’d picked—and forgive me for quoting this—‘common rabble’—I thought we might have means for concern. But—” Wulfric paused, meeting Camion’s eyes with a hard stare. “You’re a talented young man. I haven’t seen such fine craftsmanship in a long age. Thrais has needed a blacksmith of your caliber, with all due respect to Fentyn.”

  Pride and hope soared through me. Camion tightened his hold on my hand, but Jyn was the one to say, “So what does this mean?”

  “This means that I believe Your Majesty has chosen well. I hope the rest of the Council will follow my lead in giving this union their full blessing.”

  I inclined my head. “I’m glad you approve, Sir Wulfric. We appreciate the support a great deal.”

  The older man smiled and waved a hand. “I like what I know of the boy. Leave it at that.” He glanced around the foyer before adding, “But for now, I think I shall retire to my rooms for a short rest.”

  Wulfric winked, then sauntered toward the stairs. Annalea and Raul slipped from where they’d been lurking in the dining hall. I released a heavy sigh. Camion looped his arm around my shoulders and pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

  I peered up at him. “One down.”

  “I told you we could do this,” he teased. I could see the relief I felt reflected in his eyes, the tension draining from his shoulders. Slightly.

  “Should I leave you two alone to celebrate?” Jyn asked with a smirk.

  “The meeting went well?” Annalea cut in.

  “For now,” I said, meeting her sapphire-flecked purple eyes.

  Annalea considered the three of us. “Well . . . now what?”

  “Meryn wanted us to visit. I’m not sure she’s back, though. We might go for a stroll?” I glanced at the other two who shrugged.

  “Can . . . can we come?”

  Jyn lifted a brow. “To Meryn’s?”

  “We have nothing else to do. Without Mother—” Annalea stopped, swallowing hard. My eyes flitted to Raul, who restrained a reassuring gesture, and I had to stifle a smile. “The palace has been really quiet lately,” she admitted.

  “Sure.” I slipped free of Camion to pull her into a tight hug. “I promised her an update, but let’s see what kind of trouble we can get into first.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Annalea grinned.

  Chapter 5

  I was tearing a hole into my rugs by pacing the length of my room while I waited. Around my bed, into the bathing chamber, back and forth.

  The Council sent word. A courier had delivered the message first thing this morning. They were en route from Falmar and would likely arrive later this afternoon. I couldn’t breathe for longer than a few gasping breaths a minute, the pain in my chest unreasonable. At Jyn’s insistence I had bathed already, but now here I was, wandering my rooms in my dressing robe. Refusing to prepare. Dyin
g. Or, feeling like I was.

  What if they said no? To either of my requests?

  Would they doom our world because they didn’t believe us? Would they deny Camion? My hands shook. I crossed my arms over my chest as I circled again. The Council couldn’t deny us.

  Right?

  Jyn had tired of the pacing and ranting hours ago and disappeared into his own room. I couldn’t decide if my anxious behavior was making him nervous, so he sought peace, or if he simply wanted to change his own clothing. Maybe both. The uncertainty made my head spin more.

  As if summoned, the door to Jyn’s room swung open. I skittered to a nervous halt, eyes widening, before I exhaled and resumed pacing.

  He took in my harried steps, the disheveled mess that was my hair, and sighed. I had been right on one count, at least: he now wore formal leathers, the ones that clung to his lean muscle, giving him a far more intimidating appearance than usual. The black set off the warm golden tone of his skin and darkened the brown of his eyes. His hair was damp, slicked back, and tied behind his pointed ears.

  New swords crossed over his back, dagger hilts peeking from his boots. When he moved, the silver gryphon stamped on his chest shimmered in the light. A proper guard—and a formidable one.

  “You’re still not dressed?” He frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “We don’t know when they’re going to arrive.”

  “I know, I know. I’m sorry.” I flung open the doors to my wardrobe, scanning one expensive dress after another. Corsets taunted me, eager to choke the last bit of air from my lungs. I swallowed. “I don’t know what to wear.”

  Jyn stepped up behind me and cast a halfhearted glance over my shoulder. “The purple. Regal, powerful, expensive—”

  “And the first gown you saw.”

  “It most certainly was not,” he scoffed. I leveled a disbelieving stare on him. “Fine, so? You’ll make a statement. If you want to be treated as a queen, you need to look the part.” He glared at my robe pointedly.

  I groaned. “Fine. Could you get Raye to help me, please?”