“Saga was my first friend at court. She was kind to me and took me in when she didn’t have to do so, and she’s protected me many times since then.” My mate looked at my sister and offered a small smile. “Now, she’s also my family, so yes, I trust Saga with my life.”
Thyra let out a breath, heavy with exhaustion. “Fine. We can have a conversation regarding Queen Inga later. The princesscan stay in the annex with the rest of you. I’ll see that a cot is brought in. The Lord of Tongues will have a room nearby because I believe that with the addition of the princess, you’re at capacity?”
Thantrel was in the healing sanctuary under Rynni’s supervision. His wings had been torn in the battle beneath the mountain, so for the time being, Thordur was taking his bed. Bavirra would bunk in the smallest room with Rynni—that was, if the dragon-fae ever returned to the annex. Half of the time she slept in the healers’ sanctuary. My sister would have to squeeze in with Anna and Clemencia.
“We’ll make it work.” I didn’t want my sister to stay far from Neve and me.
“Brynhild, see to it that Lord Riis has a bed.” Thyra rubbed the spot between her eyes. “Now, I’m off to bed. No one wakes me unless they want their feet frozen.”
Thyra left and one by one, the rebels followed, some tossing dubious glances at my sister and father, but most simply looked curious as they left. Finally, only our friends remained. I performed quick introductions, noting how Saga paled when she met the vampire assassin sisters.
Upon being introduced to Prince Thordur and Princess Bavirra, however, Saga’s lips formed a surprised O. She curtsied, and they returned the gesture.
The formalities seen to, Saga beamed at them. “I’d love to hear more about Dergia! And how Vale and Neve found you. I’m sure that’s a great tale as well.”
“We’ve been awake for two days, Saga.” I laughed, as though I wasn’t dying to question her myself. Not now though. Best to do that in private. “And the dwarves raced from their home to save us before traveling here. Perhaps tomorrow would be better?”
Bavirra grinned. “Give me a long sleep and I’ll tell you anything you want, Princess Saga.”
“Maybe notanything,” Prince Thordur corrected. “We dwarves of Dergia must keep certain secrets.”
“Of course,” Bavirra rolled her eyes.
“It’s a date!” Saga chirped. “I suppose we should go to your—what did she call it—the annex?”
“That’s where we’re staying.” Neve slipped her icy hand into mine. “Come on then.”
Brynhild approached my father, exchanged a few words, and then the pair joined Luccan, Arie, Anna, and Clemencia, as our larger group made their way to the annex. As much as I wished to speak with Lord Riis myself, I waited. Answers on the events that brought him here will come in due time.
When we reached the castle’s doors, Neve waved over the vampire sisters.
“You’re ready to go?” Neve asked Astril, the oldest of the assassins. “And you have the letter to King Tholin?”
The dwarven king and his army were still waiting near Eygin for word of what we’d do next, where we’d go. A raven would deliver our letter to the abandoned coinary in Eygin, where a scout was waiting to take it back to King Tholin. From there, the army of Dergia would march to meet us in Myrr.
“I’ll send the raven now,” Astril confirmed. “We’ll see you in the southlands.”
“Travel safe.” Neve waved them off as the vampires slipped out the door, setting our plan in motion.
I snorted. As if the sisters, Red Assassins, had anything to worry about on the journey. If anything, I worried over others glimpsing them and being scared half to death.
It was not ideal to separate from the vampires, but Rynni was remaining behind to care for the injured and would not be able to fly a large contingent south. That left us with only sixgryphons and two pegasi to make the journey, so the vampires were heading south on foot and wing. If we calculated right, we’d arrive at nearly the same time.
Speed was one of the vampire qualities I envied. That and their need for very little sleep. Both would be quite useful in the war to come.
We were halfway to the annex when Saga detached herself from Bavirra’s side and sidled up beside me.
“I have something to ask you.”
“Go on then.” I smiled.
“I saw you entombed in something white, and it scared me. At the same time, you were going west on the map. The Riis brothers told you about their map, right?”
“I do. And I know what you saw.” She was always curious about her visions. I supposed it was natural, considering many featured other fae, sometimes people she’d never met. Saga could never be sure if those came true or not.
“What?”
“We were trapped in ice spider silk.”
