When all were freed from my shackles, the king motioned for his soldiers to get behind him as he stepped closer. I met him, stopping when three paces separated us.
“King Tholin of the Kingdom of Dergia—the Great Rock.” He inclined his head and for the first time, I caught a shimmer of gold dust on both hands crawling up the dwarf’s meaty arms.
“Reformed after all these turns?” I asked, unable to help myself.
“We never truly left.” The king arched an eyebrow. “And who might you be, my lady?”
He had picked me out as the leader, which was both unsettling and empowering.
Now, how to answer the question? He said they’d never left, which meant the dwarves had hidden here. Since the time of Sassa Falk four thousand turns ago when she had demanded their bent knees.
I had no idea of his loyalties, nor if this dwarf’s family had a relationship, good or bad, with my birth family, for it wasn’t Vale’s house that demanded other leaders bend the knee many turns ago. However, the Aabergs also hadn’t returned individual powers to the various fae races.
In passing at court, I’d met one such dwarf, a descendant of a royal line from the Ice Tooth Range and another descendant of the sprite royals. Neither had seemed inclined to want change, to take on the troubles of the realm for themselves.
This king was clearly different. He stood before me proudly, as did those behind him. How many more might there be?
I didn’t know, but I understood one thing: They weren’t fae to be trifled with. For now, I’d hide my birth name until I determined if they’d take offense to the bloodline that had tried to rob them of their kingdom.
“Neve, wife to Prince Vale.” I answered, gesturing to Vale. The king’s eyes narrowed, but before he could say anything, I added. “We come with humans, some fated to mine rock as slaves until they died. Others destined for the Blood Court. For collars and chains.Theyare why we’rehere, as we hoped this kingdom—though we believed it to be deserted—could be a home for them. A place where they might guide their own fates. Seeing you here both gives me hope, and worries me, for their sake.”
The king’s attention went to the tunnel, where the humans huddled. Anna stood in the front of them all and not for the first time, I marveled at my friend’s bravery.
“According to your laws, they should be in noble homes and select institutions.”
Your laws.This kingdom did not abide by laws outside their own. Nor, if I was reading him correctly, did Tholin seem hostile to the humans. Not as if he would wish to use them. No, King Tholin looked at them like . . .
Like I do. Like people he was used to being around.
“You’re right, we’re breaking the law. I cannot watch these people, lured here by a malicious lord, put into forced servitude.”
Tholin’s eyes widened. “Interesting.”
“Might I ask why?”
He stared at me, as though I was a puzzle he was hoping to solve.
“You might, but first I wonder—why are you speaking and not your husband? He is the prince, son of King Aaberg and the Warrior Bear, is he not? Have my soldiers got him so out of breath he cannot speak when his rank demands it?”
This king wasn’t just unusual, he was intelligent. He recognized an atypical dynamic between Vale and me, and it raised a flag.
“You used your magic, so you can’t be under the influenceof Liar’s Salvation and lying to me,” the king added, “but I do not see why a princess—a new one, if my spies are correct—would speak for the House Aaberg. Those of the House of the White Bear are as proud as mountains and nearly as unmovable.”
Too clever indeed.
“And you seem to have powerful winter magic, though, from what I heard, you are a commoner?” The king eyed me.
We were at a stalemate. I had to give himsomething, and my stomach churned at what that might mean. But I would not do it for free.
“You’ve asked many questions, and I will answer you, but first, these people are under our protection, and I must be sure of their safety first.”
King Tholin leaned back, studying me for seconds that stretched into turns.
“You claim that you seek sanctuary,” he said, “and I will grant you the safety of the great beneath, and that same safety for everyone under your protection,ifyou promise to remain quiet about what you’ve seen. All that I’m about to show you. You cannot breathe a word to anyone in the kingdoms beyond.”
Show us what?
The question must have shown on my face, for Tholin continued. “Promise, and you and yours will be fed and treated as guests inside my halls of stone while we get to know one another.” He stuck out his hand.
