Also anger, resentment, bone-chilling fear and adoration.
A thrill goes up my spine, and a grin spreads across my lips. I am theirs, and they are mine.
Mine to protect, mine to command.
I am your High Queen.I allow the words to form without shaping them first.
I am aware of my neglect, I assure you, I am going to answer for it before Gorok if that is his wish. I am going to reclaim my throne and restore the balance lost after High Queen Barbara’s death.
The longing and sorrow tighten my chest, but I manage to prevent the pain from leaking into the message.
In two days, I am expecting you in the Heart.
I finish and cut the connection. The loss of my folks cuts me to the core.
I could swear hundreds watch me from between the forest’s bushes.
My stomach chose that moment to growl. I guess control burns energy.
Good to know.
I stand up, my knee cracks as if I wasn’t immortal. The act of turning my back on the Forest carries as much weight as the message itself. I need to show goodwill and trust that no arrow will be sent my way, but without looking naive in the process.
I lace my steps with extra swagger, thinking of a shield to wield. My steps are the only sounds around; not even leaves are rustling.
A chill crawls up my spine.
Eerie silence.
“Aidon,”I scream in my head, and wait—one heartbeat, a second, a third…
Aidon!I scream again, quickening my pace, but restricting myself to a fast march. Anything faster will be judged as fear, and I already don’t look good.
Easy minx, what’s happened?
I almost choke on the relief, but it’s short-lived. I furrow my brow.Why didn’t you reply?
We had a little problem at the camp. His voice is coated with a layer of his usual amusement, lacking urgency or panic.Were you worried?
Not convinced, I don’t slow down and nearly trip on the shifting gravel.
Something’s off, and my chances are better if I keep the element of surprise. As I near the camp, I don’t see any enemies around, yet Bane and Riven, weapons drawn, face Nulok and Jestin, who are surrounded by a swirling tornado of sand. Both look ready to pounce.
“Don’t judge her,” Nulok hisses. “You have no idea how much pain she is in, and you only add to it. Your plan will bring nothing but more suffering. You should have been honest. She deserves that much.”
The only one who doesn’t fight is Aidon, blatantly chilling on the bench.
Riven stands casually, glaring daggers at Jestin. With a twist, he spins his axe through the air. If he throws it at the Sand Lord, I doubt the tornado will be strong enough to stop the axe from smashing into his head.
“She abandoned her realm! How do you think it will go: kiss and make up?” Jestin waves his hand and his sand follows, but doesn’t attack.
Riven stands still, as if he doesn’t see the Sand Lord as a threat.
“She murdered her entire family by accident. Who wouldn’t run away?” Bane reasons with Jestin. But fuck this argument.
“Because she had been too busy with her boyfriend to train her power and exploded?” Riven takes a step back and swings his axe.
My heart nearly rips out of my rib cage, but then he pauses and smirks.
