He took a swig of his drink, breathed in the scent of the brown liquid, and let out a moan. “You do all have the best scotch.”
“I swear, if you don’t hand over the letter…”
He furrowed his brows, but the amusement in his eyes glistened. “It’s my letter.”
“I see someone woke up in a playful mood.”
He took his time finishing his drink and placed the glass on the table. I repressed the urge to grab it from his fingers. Finally, he unrolled the parchment and began announcing in a regal voice not his own. “Dearest His Majesty, King Blaise Lazarus of the Kingdom of Niferum.” He grinned, and I rolled my eyes. “I am delighted,” he said, “to learn of the proposed peace between Berovia and Magaelor. As Niferum is a neutral kingdom, we would be honored if you would host us at your court.” He raised his eyebrows, giving me an amused look. “While we hold meetings with Magaelor and the head of the kingdom.”
Heat flushed my body. “He wrote to you first.”
“Head of the kingdom,” he said, repeating the informal title as he dragged his finger over the words. “He doesn’t like you much.”
“You know why he doesn’t.”
He placed his free hand over his heart. “Ah, the bitter sting of heartache.”
I shrugged. “I had no choice.” I paused for a moment. “Are you going to tell him yes?”
His eyebrows pulled downward. “I want to see what he will offer me first. I’ve sent back a proposal with my term.”
“What terms?”
“Term. One thing.”
“Which is?”
“The Ring of Immortalem.”
It was the final Object of Kai we needed to break the curse. Under his charms and games, I saw the flickers of pain he was still trying to keep to himself. When he didn’t know I was looking, I saw his tortured gaze. He did a good job of hiding it, but I could tell he was desperate for it to come to an end, as was I.
“It was also a term of the peace treaty I sent.”
“Ooo, I wonder who he’ll say yes to.” He dropped the letter on the table. “My coin’s on me.”
“What matters is”—I put a finger in the air—“he’s interested in having peace talks. It’s a start.”
He kicked his legs up and pulled them back and onto the floor. As he leaned forward, a flash of worry crossed his features, fading his grin. “Having them in Niferum is best,” he said slowly, and the mood shifted. “If he plans on taking his revenge on you, which is unlikely, then you’re away from Magaelor and from people he could turn against you by saying the truth. Of your being in Berovia.”
I swallowed thickly. “Do you think it’s on his mind?”
“I’m sure every possibility has crossed his thoughts. When hurt, it’s easy to dream of vengeance.”
“Morgana said something along the same lines earlier.”
“How is she?”
I shot him a knowing look. “She’s back to reading cards and giving wise advice.”
He grinned. “I like her. She’s strong and sturdy, with good instincts.”
My eyebrows knitted together. “She’s not a horse.”
He chuckled. “I just mean she’s got a lot to like.”
I nodded. “She always has a way of making me feel better, about anything. She’s the real backbone of this kingdom. Without her, their queen would surely falter.”
Blaise took my hand in his and pressed his lips against it softly. “You underestimate yourself.”
“You’ve said that before.”
“Then stop doing it.” He smirked, gently letting my hand down on my lap. “On to another subject,” he said, sitting back. “I leave tomorrow for Niferum. Will you still be coming with me?”
My hands trembled for a second, but I shook the fear of what awaited away. We had a solid plan. I couldn’t let my being afraid cause hesitation when it mattered. “Yes.”
“What’s our plan?”
I scoffed. “You mean my and Morgana’s plan.”
He tilted his head. “You know I’m going to be there whether you tell me what it is or not, but in not telling me, you could put me in danger. We will be facing a thousand-year-old, unkillable necromancer, after all.”
“He’s not unkillable,” I replied. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I make my own choices, love.” He walked to the globe and twirled it around with his finger. “You’ve found a way to kill him.”
“Using the Dagger or Sword will work. Morgana found proof it did kill another necromancer long before him.”
He squinted, confusion sweeping his features. “Is she sure? I’ve read those books and didn’t see anything.”
I nodded. “She wouldn’t have said anything if she wasn’t certain.”
“She’s good at finding things.” He shook his head, as if to scatter his thoughts. “I’m glad we have a way to kill him.” He glanced at the window. “There’s not much of the day left. You’re meeting with the lords this evening, correct?”
I nodded, and my heart felt heavier in my chest. “I am, and we have a lot to talk about.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
The oil lamps flickered to life, illuminating the long mahogany table. Seven seats sat on either side, with one at the top: mine. I sat, the smell of polish drifting in and out of each breath, and listened to the servants light the fire behind me. I straightened the crown on my head. My perfectly straight hair had been pulled back into a braid and wrapped into a knot. Mai, who had been wonderful on our first meeting, had come to my chambers to help me get ready for the council meeting. I’d made a good decision choosing her. The other one I hadn’t properly met yet, but she would be coming with me to Niferum, so I’d have a chance to get to know both new additions.
I was the first to arrive, for once, and it was a nice relief from being always late. However, as queen, it simply meant everyone else was early under those circumstances. My station did come with some perks. I made sure to wear a somber look when the first entered. Adius sported a wide smile, his eyes alight when he saw me. I breathed relief. He’d accepted the position as my royal advisor, else he wouldn’t be here. He looked the part too. His shirt and navy blazer had been pressed. His brown waves were slicked back.
“Your Majesty.” He bowed deeply, then rose.
“Adius.” I grinned. “I’m so happy you decided being a royal advisor is for you.”
“Florence persuaded me. I was already on the edge of accepting. She just pushed me over it.”
I smirked. “I like her more by the day.”
He sat in the seat next to mine, in front of the window. The glass reflected the room and beamed ceiling. “I proposed.”
“I’m assuming she said yes.”
He nodded, unable to hide his toothy grin. “We’ll be married next week.”
“I’m happy for you both.” A warmth spread through me. It was nice to have a conversation without discussing something dark and sinister.
“I wanted to discuss a matter with you before the meeting commences.”
“What is it?”
“A ship has docked at a small port near here. Usually, they’re mostly unmanned, but several of the public guards were checking the area and captured solises who’d come onto our soil.”
My heart pounded. Had Kiros sent men beforehand? Was it really all out of vengeance? “Have they said why they’re here?”
“No, but the captain of the ship, who made a point to tell us he is in fact not a pirate, despite being found with plenty of loot aboard…”
A small smile crept onto my face.
“Said you would tell us he’s not a threat.”
“I know them. His name is Aquarius. They’re welcome here. They helped me, twice, when I was taken to Berovia and first presumed dead,” I said, not actually sure how much he knew about my initial return. “I know the official story wasn’t that I was in Berovia, but I was. I fell into the sea and was bitten by a mercreature. That man and his crew saved my life. They also
gave me refuge home.”
His eyes widened. He didn’t know the whole truth.
“It’s a long story,” I admitted. “One for another time, but for now, when we’re done here, please advise the guards he is to be brought here, as a welcome guest.”
He hesitated, sucking air in between his teeth. “Your Majesty, I know you had Cedric here as a guest, but these men are solises, and many at court will not feel safe with them here.”
“Blaise got a letter,” I said. “Kiros has agreed to the peace treaty I had you send. He wants Niferum to host him and me as a neutral kingdom.”
“I haven’t received any letters with King Kiros’s seal on it.”
“No, he hasn’t written to me yet. I’m presuming he’s waiting on Blaise’s reply first.”
He looked at me, anticipation rising his brows.
“Oh.” I smiled. “They’re sorting out a few terms, but he will have them there.”
“I would be honored to attend with you.”
I cast my eyes to the table. A maid brought in a platter with tea on it. Another restocked the liquor cabinet in the corner of the room. I took a peppermint tea and turned back toward Adius. I didn’t want him to come with me. The danger surrounding what we were going to do to the necromancer hung over my shoulders. “I need you here,” I said. “With Vahaga’s death.”
“He’s been found dead?” he asked, and panic flitted my gaze to the window.
“No.” I swallowed hard, but the lump that had formed didn’t budge. “I meant disappearance.”
He flexed his fingers over the polished wood. “I understand.” He leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper. “We all are thinking it. He was last known to be in the forest. The guards were found outside the forest, unconscious. They said one minute they were walking with him, and the next, they were attacked by white light.” His eyes bulged. “Anumi have been spotted in that part of the forest. While most are on Inferis, some still stalk these trees.”
My next breath caught in my throat when the door opened. Lord Abor walked inside with an angered expression. His midnight-blue stare fastened onto me as he took his seat. A servant fetched him a drink. He placed some papers down in front of him. I whipped my head around and saw Lord Gregoir and Lord Louis, who watched me with viperlike green eyes. His blond hair was slicked back, and his lips curved upward at the corners. Edur tousled his brown waves, sporting a youthful grin when compared with the other lords. He took the spare seat on the other side of me. A few other lords I recognized, including Mai’s father, joined us. Two advisors took the remaining seats, and finally a man I recognized as Sir Jacob Smithson.
“Your Majesty,” he said, bowing. A few others followed suit, but Lord Abor merely dipped his head.
“Sir Smithson.” I looked him up and down. His head of white hair showed how much he’d aged since I’d attended worship as a child. “You’re here to stand in for High Priest Vahaga.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
My mother came in last. I clenched my jaw but didn’t object. She had, after all, been on my side after she spoke to André. She sat at the back of the table, her unfocused stare wandering the room.
Lord Abor’s gaze flicked from me to Jacob. “Please, sit.” Abor stood, looking around the table. “I will start today’s session by swearing Sir Smithson as temporary high priest until Vahaga is discovered.”
“If he’s discovered,” one of the advisors said, and Abor shook his head.
“Careful, Gregory,” he warned, his pupils narrowing. “Nothing has been found of the high priest. It is a good sign. If he’d died, then a part—” He paused, thinking better of saying it. “He would have been found.”
The same advisor, Gregory, interjected. “Not if an anumi found him.”
Gregoir chimed in. “We must entertain the possibility, Abor.”
I cocked my head to the left. “Gregory is right. If an anumi found him, there would be nothing left.”
Abor’s cheek dipped, as I assumed he bit the inside of it. “Your Majesty, the forest is large, and we have not yet searched it. To jump to such conclusions is—”
“He wouldn’t disappear into thin air, Abor,” I stated. “If he’s not returned and there is no body, then we have to assume he will not be returning. It’s terribly unsettling, but we know how the anumi are.”
“He could have been kidnapped,” Louis said, a sneer wrinkling his cheeks.
“Then why have we not been sent a ransom?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.
Abor gritted his teeth. “Until we find out what’s happened to him, we will assume he is alive. Until then, Sir Jacob Smithson will be anointed as a temporary high priest.”
I wanted to tell them how wrong they were, but I knew I wouldn’t be believed. I wondered if Jacob knew. He was close to Vahaga, after all, and was Vahaga’s successor. My stare narrowed in on him, and a shiver traveled down my spine.
My mother clasped her bony fingers together. “The queen is right, however.” She gave a nod in Abor’s direction. “We will wait three days until we believe him to have passed. Until then, we can continue searching.”
Abor nodded. I avoided her gaze. I hated when she was redeeming. I didn’t want to forgive her, but she was making it more difficult with each semi-decent decision. Chatter rose slowly. I cleared my throat, and silence befell the room.
“I will be traveling to Niferum tomorrow.”
Gregoir stood this time, his chair screeching back. “To leave with the high priest missing is most inappropriate.”
“I have full faith in the royal guard and our new general to find out what has happened to Vahaga. In the meantime, I must protect the kingdom in other ways.” I paused to gather my next words.
“Have you thought anymore on Niferum’s king’s offer?” Louis asked. My heart pounded, stilling me. Prickles ran through my fingers, and a lump formed in my throat. A wedding was the furthest thing from my mind.
“As of now, Magaelor is my only priority. I will not be partaking in anything that will deviate me from bringing our kingdom back together. The people have suffered much division, and now is the time for uniting, which brings me to my next announcements.” I inhaled sharply and took a long moment to stand. “Firstly, the memorial has been erected. Engraving will begin next week.”
Abor’s fist balled, but he quickly released it, flexing his fingers. “I thought the memorial was on hold due to funding?”
“It was, but finding funding didn’t seem right with so many brave Mangaloreans who died for our kingdom.” Amusement danced in my eyes as I watched him squirm. “I know you wouldn’t hold back the costs for honoring our soldiers. I instructed our labor workers to build the large walls, which have engraved every name of the men and women who died in the battle. The families will be invited when it’s finished. In my heart”—I placed my hand against my chest—“I know we will all be happy to cover the coin for this.”
They couldn’t say no without looking abhorrent to everyone else.
“Hear, hear,” Gregoir said, placing his hand in the air, and the rest copied. Even Louis and Abor, who looked like they’d rather set themselves on fire.
“The next announcement is important.” I licked my dry lips. I should have said something sooner, but I knew this was going to go as well as me tumbling a pile of bricks upon them. I steadied myself for my next words. “I have offered a peace treaty to King Kiros of Berovia, and I expect he will be agreeing to it. We will have peace with Berovia.”
All hell broke loose.
***
Blaise escorted me from the council meeting room. The lords had stayed in argument over my proposal to Berovia. Most were opposed, but Lord Edur and, surprisingly, Gregoir had been agreeable to it. The advisors were willing to listen, but the rest were vocally, strongly opposed to peace with “the heretics.” Oh, how little did they know how untrue that turned out to be.
“It’s okay, love,” Blaise said.
My heart skipped a beat. “I’m just g
lad to get out of there. The tension was too much. I was a little frightened, honestly.”
Rage spilled into his features. “They didn’t threaten you, did they?”
I scoffed a laugh. “Do you think they’d still be standing there if they had? The guards and Adius would have dragged them to the dungeons. Abor may be stubborn, but he’s not stupid. He wouldn’t hurt me, as much as I’m sure he fantasizes about it.”
“Maybe this will make you feel a little better.” He handed me an envelope with the light fae crest.
I stopped walking, running my fingertip along the smooth, cream envelope. I turned it over and gasped, seeing Cedric’s handwriting.
“He’s written me back.” I never thought he would at this point. I tore it open and pulled out the parchment. My gaze trickled over the words, devouring them. I reread them as my lips parted.
“Love?”
Winter,
Thank you for your letter. While I appreciate your apology on Blaise’s behalf, I am unable to accept it. If rumors hold worth, then you have professed your love to the man who beat me. I certainly hope these rumors are untrue. I hold no need for an apology from him, and more so, do not want one.
As for us,
My heart hammered. I held my breath as I read it once more.
I’m so sorry for betraying you. I have told this to you before, but I’ll say it again. I never wanted to hurt you and will always hold our time together in the highest regard.
I have been advised of your proposed treaty to Berovia. I am staying at Kiros’s court and will be going with him to Niferum on behalf of the light fae royal family. My brother will also be attending. I beg of you to not seek vengeance against him for what happened to your brother. There are many casualties in war, and I hope our past relationship will give you halt in your feelings toward him. We are being sent as representatives of my mother and father.
Always a friend,
Cedric Evermist
Blaise read it over my shoulder. “Is that the brother who—”
“Yep.”
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