“Then we got here, and I couldn’t help but seek him out. Want to kiss him.” She allowed herself a small smile. “Togetherwe felt so right, and the more I got to know him, the more I realized he was perfect for me.”
“He’s a great person.”
“Not bad on the eyes either.” A smug expression took over her features. “We look amazing together.”
I laughed, and the sound startled me. Since Vale and Thantrel had been taken, I’d felt so little joy.
“We’ll get them back soon,” Thyra added. “We have to. I have to tell Thantrel that I accept him.”
My throat tightened at that image. “Stars, Thyra, I can’t wait for them to be back with us.”
“For us to make our enemies pay,” she murmured, her voice full of fire.
Chapter 45
ISOLDE
The sun was breaking on the horizon when we entered the castle in Bitra.
Once our mother’s ancestral house, imagery of the aura owls struck me the moment I stepped foot in the castle. My lips parted as I took in so much more that was out of place given the current owner.
The House Skau colors of blue and copper provided the sitting room with a pleasant ambience. Bookshelves lined each wall, and meticulously curated tapestries and paintings hung between each shelf. A single polished white statue of a female faerie stood by the windows, an aura owl perched on her raised hand. I knew little of the dead gods, but even I knew she represented a fae version of the goddess Mimeil. She had been the goddess that House Skau, also called the house of scholars, worshipped above all others.
“I think his guilt got the better of him,” Thyra said after she caught me staring at the stony owls above the hearth. “I didn’t understand that when I was here before.”
Indeed. Not only had Queen Inga demolished House Falk by toying with our father’s mind, but her actions had brought aboutthe downfall of our mother’s house too. They’d all died for their loyalty to Harald Falk. I inhaled, as if trying to breathe in that lost family, but got only the faintest hints of brewed tea and charred wood in the fireplace.
“Move along,” Arie spoke with a soft command in his tone.
Lord Riis, Luccan, Arie, Clem, and Anna had arrived an hour ago to prepare the castle. Now Arie was in charge of keeping order.
For his part, Luccan sat in a chair, his entire focus on the gateway. I took heart that he was not already sweating and hoped he could continue to work his magic long enough for the entire army to pass through.
My sister and I moved out of the way, making room for those who would join us. As leaders of this war, we had walked through together. Just the two of us, a symbol of our unity. Thousands of soldiers and horses, gryphons, and our pegasi waited behind us, the line so long it extended from the brothel in the heart of Myrr to Ramshold Castle where masses of soldiers waited.
Bac, Aleksander, Livia, and our Valkyrja came next, the pegasi and a few gryphons at their side. Twenty seconds, the allotted time between waves of people, went by and more arrived. Some on gryphons, some on horses, some on foot. All armed to the teeth.
“Princesses?” a voice I did not recognize spoke.
I turned to find an ancient fae standing at the door, a tea tray in his shaking hands. At the sight of me and Thyra, he let out a soft breath. “You look so much like them. Your parents.”
“Thank you,” I replied as we crossed the room to the servant. “You met them?”
“My daughter attended your mother before she left for the White Tower.” The male gave a sad smile, maybe thinking that our mother’s journey to become a healer had been interruptedby meeting our father. “I didn’t know the old king, but there are many paintings of him. Though they’re not on display here.”
“Of course not.” Thyra took a cup and poured herself some tea. I did the same. Sleep had not come easily the night before, and I’d likely need many more cups by the end of the day. “Lord Riis has informed the household of what’s happening?”
The servant nodded. “I’m in full support.”
“Well, that’s good.” Thyra grinned. “I’d hate to think what he’d say or do if you weren’t.”
Unease flickered across his face. “Dissenters would be locked up, but Lord Riis is not cruel, so they’d not be mistreated.” The servant added as his gaze drifted over us, back to those owls. “That being said, my loyalty will always be to House Skau. Which means I am loyal to you two.”
Thyra peered at him with interest. She’d been here before, during the heist at the Bitra coinary. Had she seen the servant then? Something told me no—that they’d done their best to be seen by as few as possible.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Hátlu, Master of Household. For House Skau, and now House Riis.”
