Dusk loomed, hours away. Soon, we would fly south with only the stars as our witnesses. If our gryphons flew at a moderate speed, we’d arrive in Myrr around the eighth morning bell. Both Sian and Filip Balik had told me a dozen times that their father insisted that the family breakfast together at that hour. Should Tadgh Balik be less inviting than I believed he’d be, we hoped to take advantage of that family togetherness and the good will of our friends sitting at that table.
“You alright?” Caelo came up alongside me, a saddle in his arms.
I poured more of the fish heads and innards into a gryphon’s bowl. My nose wrinkled. By the dead gods, the smell was horrendous. “As well as can be expected. Why?”
“You’ve been quiet. I thought with Lord Riis back and your sister here, you’d be more excited.” Caelo arched an inky brow.
My best friend understood me better than most people. I loved my sister with all my heart and even before I’d learned of our blood tie, I’d been very fond of Lord Riis. Seen him as an uncle.
“I can’t help it. I’m still thinking about Rhistel.”
After everyone woke up, but before we’d set out to prepare for our journey, we’d congregated in the annex and finished sharing what needed to be shared. Others wanted to know why a princess of Winter’s Realm had arrived at Valrun, so I told the story of how Rhistel had threatened Saga’s life, leaving out any mention of whisperer magic, of course. Very few knew about that, most of them blood—though, considering recent events, I was sure the secret wouldn’t remain in the dark for long.
That outing of my twin was a moral issue that I wrestled with. He often used his power for ill, but Rhistel hadn’t asked to be born with illegal magic that would earn him a death sentence. What was more, telling the world of Rhistel’s power might put Mother at risk. Losing both of them to the laws of the land might be more than I could bear.
“Throw Rhistel from your mind.” Caelo nudged my shoulder with his own. “He’s not worth it.”
“It’s difficult.”
My friend gave me a stiff smile and swept a hand toward the stable door. “I can’t remember when it was this warm.”
He was right. One still required a cloak to work outside, but it did not need to be quite so thick. Nor pulled so tight around the shoulders. Soon fae with delicate wings, faeries like myself, might walk about with them uncovered by furs and cloaks for more than a few minutes.
“I suspect that Magnus is using the Scepter to gain favor with the people. We might soon see snow melting.”
Caelo let out a long hum. “If he can give them green grass, many will forget all of his wrongs.”
To hear the elder fae tell it, the kingdom had never been warm and lush like the Summer or Spring Courts in the south, but there had once been moons on end in which grass sprouted, soft rains nourished the land, and the sun warmed fae faces.
Neve and Thyra might go up against the king just when the public turned favorable eyes upon him.
“At least the warmth will make the south walk easier,” I said.
“If Lord Balik agrees to house the rebels.”
“He will. Eventually.” I’d make him see sense.
Caelo gave a single laugh. “I’ll take your word.”
The closest gryphon’s head lifted from his food and turned sharply to the door. We followed suit to see my father enter the stable.
I waved, and Lord Riis made his way over, his wide shoulders taking up much of the walkway between the rickety wooden pens.
“I was looking for you, Vale.” Lord Riis joined us. “Might I have a word?”
As a knight used to being dismissed by other lords and ladies, Caelo left wordlessly.
“Have you seen Thantrel?” I asked. That had been my father’s plan after we awoke in the late afternoon.
“I just left the sanctuary. He was asleep but looked to be in decent shape. Or as good as one can manage with such a recent wing injury. Luccan tells me you brought that healer, the half-dragon from Vitvik?”
“Rynni.”
“She’s quite skilled.”
One corner of my lips twitched upward. “That she is. In more ways than one.”
“Oh?”
