Victoria and Rose burst out in laughter.
“What did I say?” Dallow frowned, looking back and forth between them.
“The clothes they sell at the Fette are for bedrooms. A different type of adventure,” Rose said, kissing him on the cheek. “That’s for thinking of me.”
"We should stay on Angst's trail," Victoria said.
Everyone nodded reluctantly, except Mirim, who crossed her arms and glared at the ground.
“What’s wrong?” Victoria asked. “What do you think we should do?”
“We should head back to Unsel,” Mirim said, curtly. “Your Majesty.”
“What?” Rose asked. “Why?”
“Why is the question,” Mirim said. “Why am I here?”
They all looked at Victoria, except Mirim, who continued staring at the ground like it may attack.
“Because we need your knowledge of working with the zyn’ight,” Victoria said. “We need a tactician.”
“A tactician,” Mirim scoffed. “You mean someone who coordinates. Like when I told Rose to fall back. Like when I told Jaden and Dallow to stand together and cast fireballs to burn their wings. Like when I told you to fight by my side.”
"But we lived. We even won. Sort of." Victoria looked at the others. Now they were staring at the ground. "Go on."
“None of you listened to me,” Mirim shouted. “We almost died. We would’ve died if not for your magics. There were only two Berfemmian harpies. Only two. How many do you think are out there on the hunt? And if the harpies are looking for Angst, who else is? You didn’t fight like trained warriors. You were a funny carnival who accidentally survived. I don’t care to die, and I don’t want to watch you die.”
“You’re right,” Victoria said with a grimace. “What do you want?”
“Either let me lead during battle,” Mirim said, “or send me home.”
“Done,” Victoria said with a nod.
“That’s not enough,” Mirim snapped.
“It should be,” Victoria said.
“You’re right,” Mirim said. “It should be, but it isn’t. You’re ready to lead, but don’t want to offend anyone. Rose is too independent to follow orders. Jaden and Dallow seem more interested in killing each other than the enemy. As I see it, Sean, Simon and Nikkola were the only three even interested in working as a team.”
The brothers bumped knuckles and nodded to each other.
“I told you we should leave them behind,” Nikkola said.
“I don’t want to kill him,” Jaden said, nodding at Dallow.
“That’s one of us,” Dallow said in a droll tone.
“I know more about battle magic than he does,” Jaden said. “I correct him so he can do better.”
“You don’t correct me,” Dallow said. “You insult me, so I feel foolish.”
“I can’t help that you’re foolish,” Jaden said, standing tall. “It’s not my fault if you don’t want to learn.”
“Stand down, Jaden,” Rose said, drawing her daggers and moving between them. She looked at Dallow with softer eyes. “You too.”
“Exactly what I’m talking about.” A grimace overtook Mirim’s face. “Dallow was busy creating a white ball filled with lightning…”
“My most powerful spell,” Dallow said, smartly.
“…while Jaden summoned a giant snowball,” Mirim continued.
“It was to slow her down,” he grumbled.
“Apparently water and lightning don’t mix,” she explained. “But two fireballs would’ve grounded them. Then I would’ve sent Rose in to hamstring them with those daggers.”
“I didn’t know,” Rose muttered.
“That’s my point,” Mirim said. “It’s not your job to know. It’s your job to do.”
“What about us?” Simon asked.
“You’re not here to fight monsters like those,” Mirim said. “And Sean is my backup plan. In these woods, he’s probably more powerful than anyone else.”
Jaden and Dallow gasped as if punched in the gut. Sean seemed oblivious, nodding politely at a blue songbird on his finger. The bird sang and chirped excitedly.
“You’re right, Mirim,” Victoria said. “You’re in charge for battles moving forward, and I’ll deal with the other issues in due time.”
Mirim nodded curtly as if she’d been fed a snack instead of a full meal. Victoria sighed and looked at Dallow.
“I believe they’re still at The Fette,” he said.
“That’s not surprising,” Rose said with raised eyebrows. “I can only imagine what those two spent their night doing. Something about that place makes you feel like you can get away with anything.”
“Yes,” Victoria said, unable to mask her worry. “Yes, it does.”
21
Angst’s favorite pastime was admonishing himself for failing—but there was no way he could have failed at killing Ivan. Was there? One doesn’t just stop being a husked-out glowing tree. Ivan’s very presence just felt wrong. Even the knight’s horse was slow and sickly as if reluctantly dragged out of the same death hole Ivan had escaped.
Alloria seemed to be as frustrated as Angst. He had wanted to spend this quiet-time continuing his mental quest to befriend the two swords, but it was impossible with her constant fidgeting. What began with sighs evolved into grinding teeth, itching, and finally some hair pulling.
“What’s up?” he asked, discarding a clump of her hair that had landed on his leg. “Are you okay?”
“You think I’m ugly,” Alloria muttered under her breath.
“What?” Angst asked in surprise. “What on Ehrde would give you that idea?”
“You wouldn’t have sex with me,” she said.
“Oh?” Ivan asked.
With a surge of will and a wave of his hand, Angst knocked Ivan from his mount. He landed with a loud crash and a sharp curse. Angst considered grabbing his armor and bouncing him off several trees, but that should’ve been enough to make his point. They stopped as the disgruntled knight remounted his weary stallion.
“I don’t want to discuss this in front of him,” Angst muttered. “Now isn’t the best time.”
“When is it the best time?” she shouted, tearing off her tiara and throwing it to the ground.
A flock of small blackbirds left their tree to find a quieter, safer home.
“I’m in mourning,” he said, softly. “And you’re sixteen. I’m forty-one.” He scratched his scalp that wasn’t a bald spot. "I think I’m forty-one. What month is it?”
“I’m seventeen,” she snapped. “Don’t treat me like a child. After what I’ve been through, it shouldn’t even be a question. And don’t change the subject.”
“I’m sorry,” Angst said. “I shouldn’t dismiss your age as if you don’t have feelings. It’s just…it’s just more complicated than that.”
“Like I said,” she huffed. “You won’t have sex with me. You think I’m ugly. That’s not complicated.”
She tensed as he wrapped his arms around her waist and dismissed the swifen. They dropped to the forest floor, and he pulled away. Alloria continued facing forward, away from him, refusing to turn around.
“Really,” Ivan said. “Now?”
Angst dragged Ivan’s armor to one side until he fell off the mount once again. He rolled over several times until Angst was done.
“Stop that,” Ivan snapped.
“After you’ve remounted, why don’t you ride ahead?” Angst said, flippantly. “It will keep you from falling off again.”
“Why don’t I leave for good?” Ivan said.
“Sure, and then you don’t get whatever it is you want,” Angst said. “I know you’re here for a reason beyond helping us. Ride off, and we’ll find Prendere on our own, or ride out of earshot and wait like a good dog. Your choice.”
“You should leave her here,” Ivan said.
“Not an option,” Angst said, sharply.
Ivan mounted his horse in a huff and rode off.
“I�
��m not talking to you,” Alloria said, sniffing deeply.
“Let me know when you’re ready,” Angst said.
It may have taken her an entire minute of arm crossing and corset tugging before she finally spoke. “Fine.” Alloria spun around, her eyes a little wilder than normal. “Why can’t we do it?”
“I don’t cheat on my wife,” Angst said.
“Ha,” she said mockingly. “Ha.”
“You only get one ha,” he said.
“You had sex with my cousin,” she said, leaning forward.
“Part of me wanted to,” he said. His cheeks warmed, but he maintained eye contact.
“Everyone knows it,” she accused.
“Only Victoria and I know,” he said. “And Heather. She would’ve known immediately if I’d cheated. I couldn’t keep anything from her. Victoria and Heather’s opinions are far more important to me than jealous rumors.”
“And your pretty bird-lady-friend,” she said, pointing a finger at him. “How could you not have sex with her?”
“It was almost impossible,” he said. “She was one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met. Faeoris was in her mating cycle and would’ve had sex with a tree just to quench her fire. I’m a bad tree. I wanted her, I wanted both of them, but wouldn’t.”
“Why, Angst?” she said. “I don’t believe you.”
“It’s not in my nature,” he said. “I enjoy being friends with women. It’s often misconstrued, but I don’t feel the need to explain or apologize for it. I love Victoria, I loved Faeoris, but I’m in love with Heather.”
“I don’t understand,” she said.
“That’s because you’ve never been in love with anyone,” he said. “Love isn’t a measurement. You either do, or you don’t. But being in love, that’s something else. Heather and I, we had our struggles, all of them, but we never gave up. That’s what this entire trip is about. I refuse to give up.”
“But they aren’t here, now,” she said with a frown. “If this thing we’re doing is going to kill you, what difference does it make?”
“That’s just the point, isn’t it?” he asked. “If I gave up on what I believe now, for even a second, why bother doing any of this?”
Alloria looked off into the distance as if considering her next chess move. After long consideration, she finally said, “You think I’m ugly.”
Angst sighed and waved his hands until the ram swifen appeared. “I think you’re fun to look at,” Angst said. “I also think that there is beauty buried deep inside of you that I find a lot more attractive than lace-up-leather.”
Angst hugged her tight until she pulled away.
“So,” she said. “You don’t think I’m ugly?”
“I never did,” he said. “If I were young and single, you’d be way out of my league, but I’d still try.”
“You still should,” she said.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said with a laugh. He bent over and picked up the tiara. “Where did you say you got this?”
“It was a gift from my cousin,” she said, blowing dust off and placing it back on her head.
“Right. I wonder—” He was cut off by a distant cry. “What was that?”
“That’s you telling me more about how I’m not ugly,” she said.
He shushed her, making her gasp, but at least she was quiet. For some reason, his hearing hadn’t improved with age. In crowded bars, ambient sound destroyed all hope of conversation. That was just the thing, there was no ambient sound. No birds squawked from nearby trees, leaves weren’t rustling from busy squirrels. Nothing. Except Alloria.
“I’m a princess,” she snapped. “Don’t shush me.”
Angst leaned forward, his lips practically against her ear. Her body stiffened, and she quieted.
“Alloria,” he whispered. “I think there is something dangerous nearby. Please, I need to keep you safe. I’m your champion.”
She nodded.
“Angst,” Ivan called out. “Hurry.”
“Wait here,” he whispered, once again dismounting the ram. With a deep breath, he wielded both swords and blurred toward Ivan.
In his infinite, long-winded wisdom, Hector had often warned Angst about rushing in. It was so crucial to his mentor that he’d brought it up enough times to bore Angst. “Know your surroundings. Know your opponents. It may be your only advantage when you face insurmountable odds.” He was almost glad Hector wasn’t here. The old man must’ve been laughing at him from behind death’s door.
Ivan sat on a stump in the middle of a field, surrounded by a dozen Vex’steppe tribesmen. Dark, glistening skin covered their taut muscles, and they had plenty. Towering over them were two enormous red dragons. Three of the tribesmen stood behind Ivan with their spears against his throat. They looked impatient. The others were poised to leap at a breath, and Ivan was one mistake away from losing his head.
The dragons made his heart skip. Sure, he was Al’eyrn times two, but they were large and powerful. Their intelligent golden eyes looked him up and down as liquid-fire drooled from their fierce teeth. The dragons looked hungry, the tribesmen looked ready, and he should’ve followed Hector’s advice.
“Let me go,” Alloria said from behind him.
Two tribesmen dragged the flailing princess to Ivan and shoved her to the ground. If words were weapons, they would’ve all been dead. She lashed out with a round of cursing that made them jump back while a dragon cocked its gigantic head to one side. Rose would’ve been proud. A sick-looking dagger to her temple forced her tantrum to hide behind gritted teeth. Alloria looked at Angst with a surprising ferocity, leaning into the blade until it drew blood. The tribesmen jerked the weapon away as red trickled down her cheek. She laughed maniacally.
22
Victoria and her party were back on Angst’s trail, following at a proper distance, according to Dallow. Rose shared bawdy stories about her frequent visits to the endless party known as The Fette. Dallow’s incredulous expression only encouraged her, and, while they weren’t her stories, Victoria felt a sense of nostalgia.
Young Victoria wasn’t allowed to leave the castle, which was like a handwritten invitation to the princess that said, “Get out.” She was caught the first time, and her mother watched as Tyrell lashed her with a belt. The humiliation wasn’t the harsh lesson her mother had hoped for. Instead, it infuriated Victoria enough to try again, after some preparation. An unsuspecting Dallow, still new to the library, was more than happy to show her around. It took weeks to find the book she needed and even longer to learn an actual spell. Changing her long, black hair to a strawberry-blond bob, and throwing on a few un-princess-like clothes, was just enough to free Victoria from the confines of royalty. She almost didn’t go back. It seemed that her happiest moments were adventures outside the castle. Except, maybe, for this one.
“Rose,” Dallow said, sounding aghast.
“Too much?” she asked, innocently.
Everyone nodded, and Victoria was glad she’d been daydreaming. Rose tried leaning over to kiss Dallow. It was hard to tell if he pulled away to be funny or was genuinely concerned where Rose’s mouth may have been.
“Jaden and I will scout ahead,” Mirim said, her back stiff.
“Is that necessary?” Victoria asked. “Sean has birds and such that will warn us of danger.”
“I could use some fresh air,” Mirim said, lifting her nose slightly while glancing at Rose.
“Of course, Captain,” Victoria said.
Jaden and Mirim rushed ahead on his Bokeen swifen, shuffling around trees and jumping over branches until they were soon out of sight.
“Prude,” Rose muttered.
“You go too far, Rose,” Victoria said. “It’s like you feed off other people’s discomfort.”
“You didn’t stop me,” Rose said, flippantly.
“I wasn’t listening,” Victoria said.
Dallow glanced between Rose and Victoria. This was a growing problem that she’d have to deal with. Ro
se despised authority. Victoria had known that when she asked the young woman to be her champion, but there was a time and place to hate. Rose’s behavior was making it more challenging to lead every day. Dallow was torn between trying to appease the woman he was puppy-loving and being there for his future queen. There was also the growing rift between Dallow and Jaden. She needed both of them, but Jaden was working way too hard to stand out. But the verbal or physical beatings would have to wait. It was more important to learn what had happened at The Fette.
They fell into single file as Rose led them along a thin, winding trail that deer would’ve struggled to follow. Twenty minutes passed when they came upon Jaden and Mirim towering over two frightened young men. A man with olive skin and long hair huddled close to his muscular, dark-skinned companion. Both were covered in dirt and soot and smelled like a party that had ended days ago.
“They’re so pretty,” Rose said in wonder.
“They’re so naked,” Dallow said.
“You’re just in time,” Mirim said, her tone as sharp as the sword in her hand. “I’m trying to find out if Angst came through, but Kale and Gahn here won’t tell us a thing. I’m about to teach them what it means to spill your guts.”
The boys now shook as if the only thing keeping them warm was a blanket made of fear.
“Stand down,” Victoria said, waving her captain off. She dismounted her pink unicorn swifen and petted its neck.
“She’s beautiful,” Kale said.
“Come see,” Victoria said, beckoning them over.
Like puppies who knew they were in trouble, the two young men slowly stood and inched toward her. They jumped back when the unicorn swifen snorted and pawed at the ground with a golden hoof.
“Cowards,” Jaden snorted.
“Why don’t you let that huge horn skewer you?” Rose said, defensively.
“Hush,” Victoria said over her shoulder. She turned to smile at the men, every bit as warm and gentle as she’d been taught. “It’s okay. She’s perfectly safe.”
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