The commander bowed. “The Fae of the Fires are at our southeast border, Yer Highness, requesting an audience with yerself—since ye are their overlord.”
She cringed the slightest bit, obviously not pleased with the news any more than Jeros. “Do you think they are dangerous?”
“They could be,” Jeros said. “Dinna let down yer guard or get too close. Even when peaceful, they give off a great deal of heat. They canna help it. ’Tis the way they are made.”
“We’re not that far from the southeast border, are we?” Lexi rubbed her hands together, then scrubbed them on her trews as if attempting to dry them.
“It is within walking distance.”
She went to the window and scowled outside, as if trying to spot them. “I wonder how long it would take Corvit to get back here? If they’ve already started their great sleep, would they even be able to hear me? And how exactly do I call them?”
“I can only assume ye would call out to them with the power of yer mind, and as for the other, I dinna ken.” Jeros hated this. He wanted to lock her safely away in their bedchamber where no one could harm her, and yet, just as she had said, and as old Mairwen had warned, he had to trust her withsomeof her protection. “But for the protection of our people and the safety of Sevenrest, I fear we must grant them the audience they request.”
“If we let them in here, they’ll burn the place down,” she said, her alarm clear. “They might not mean to, but they could. Isn’t that what you said?”
“We will go to them where they wait for us.” He went to the bellpull and gave it a hard yank. When Nightleaf appeared, he said, “Fetch yer queen’s trident. She requires it.” It was the first time he had ever referred to Lexi as his queen. He rather liked the ring of it. “And bring my sword and pistols.”
“Aye, Yer Majesty.” The butler hurried away.
“So…do you have any pointers?” Lexi asked, looking first at him and then Darkcord.
“We have spears and archers, Yer Highness,” Darkcord said.
“And swords, of course,” Jeros added.
She stared at them as if they had each sprouted a second head. She wrinkled her nose. “I meant advice. Do either of you have any advice for this meeting?”
Jeros went to her and took her hands. “Dinna show fear or uncertainty. They can smell weakness. Ye must meet them with a decisiveness the likes of which ye have never known.” He looked down at her hands and frowned while lifting her right hand closer. Across her palm was a slightly raised border of scarring he’d not noticed before. The pink flesh was a newly healed wound. “What happened here? Why did ye not bring this to my attention before?”
She pulled her hand away. “When Incendium challenged me to try to release Corvit from his shackles, he offered me his staff to unlock the harnesses and manacles. I grabbed hold of it, not knowing it would sear off my flesh. I had to use my Mammaw jacket to protect my hands. Incendium’s armor slowed him down so much, I was able to dodge him and free Corvit. Once it was all over, Corvit healed me with his tears.” She rubbed her palm and fingertips. “Losing my fingerprints was worth it.”
“The bastard tricked ye.” Rage flared hot and heavy through Jeros. He wished the overlord were still alive so he could kill him himself. “I dinna wish ye to meet with them. Give me the spear. I shall go in yer place.”
“That won’t work. They know the new overlord is me. Corvit said the wind told them.” She barely shook her head. “I’m not sure what that meant, but it must’ve worked because they’re here now asking for me.”
“They asked for their overlord,” Darkcord said, then gave a cringing shrug. “But they also mentionedshe of the prophecy.Sounds as if they know well enough who the new overlord is.”
“Feckin’ hell.” Jeros hated this with a passion. Teeth clenched, he shook his head. “Call the dragons. Think to them. Tell them the Fae of Fires are here demanding to see ye. With any luck, Corvit will hear and keep his word.”
“If he hears,” Lexi said. “I know he’ll keep his word.”
Aylryd roared as if to remind them of his presence. He went to the door and glared back at them, softly growling.
“And we have Aylryd,” Lexi said to Jeros. “Let’s do this.”
* * *
All the wayto the southeast border of Sevenrest’s land, Lexi keptthinkingto Corvit to please come and help. She hated to disturb her new friend’s sleep, but didn’t have a choice. It might be too late if she waited to gauge the Fae of the Fires’ reaction to her being their new overlord.
As they drew closer to where the messengers had reported the Fae’s army waited, she ceased using the trident as a walking stick. The Fae might not appreciate that even though the spear’s crystal had been shattered. The milling about of the gathered army ceased as she, Aylryd, Jeros, and Darkcord topped the hill and looked down upon them. They all stared back up at her. Waiting. Watching.
“There must be thousands,” she whispered, horrified at the prospect.Corvit—I really need you. I’m sorry, but I need you now.
“Remember,” Jeros said with a reassuring squeeze of her hand. “No fear, my own. No indecision. Ye must lead them as if ye believe it yer right to do so.”
But it wasn’t her right to do so. It was Corvit’s. The dragon had annihilated Incendium. But she nodded and swallowed hard while resettling her grip on the staff. “Let’s do this.”
She marched down the hillside. When she was within a couple of yards of the army, the warriors filling the glen knelt. She prayed that was a good sign. One of them had taken a knee out in front, quite a distance from the rest. She wondered if he was their commander.
