That gave me pause.
“You might be right there,” I allowed.
“We could win the war first, then rid ourselves of the shadow magic. You know, if we had a choice,” Thyra said sarcastically.
“You might.”
I sat up straighter. “Pardon me?”
Lord Balik leaned closer, as if he were about to share a mighty secret. “My grandmother hailed from the Autumn Court. They do things differently there. Long ago, when the fae in the south committed an unspeakable crime, the punishment would be to rip their magic from them.”
Thyra sucked in a breath. “Barbaric.”
“It brought shame to those it happened to and their families. Eventually, the Crown of Autumn put an end to that particular punishment. Nowadays, if the crime is bad enough, the fae is killed, as is customary in other kingdoms.”
Like Rhistel and Queen Inga would be killed if others learned of their magic. Or at least, that was the current law. In no waywould I put it past the king to end a long-standing practice to save Rhistel.
“Do you think we could rip the shadows from us and leave the winter magic?” Thyra asked.
“We cannot rule without winter magic.” Not only that but I would die before I let someone take my winter magic. I’d been magic-less once. Incomplete. Never again. “Kings and queens of this kingdom might wield varying degrees of power and smaller magics, but theyalwayshave the magic tied to the land. Enough to use the Ice Scepter and temper the worst of winter.”
These past decades showed what happened if the ruler didn’t possess the Scepter. I did not like to imagine what would happen if a winter king or queen didn’t have a drop of winter magic in their veins.
“I don’t know.” Lord Balik set down his empty goblet. “If you wish, I’ll send a raven to my kin in the south. See if they have knowledge of the matter.”
“Is it too much to ask that your grandmother or anyone in her generation still lives?” Thyra asked.
“Not my grandmother, but others with the knowledge might.”
Fae lived a very long time, but eventually, they perished. Whether by violence, illness, or by their own choice.
“If we ask, they will want to know why,” Thyra mused.
“Certainly. But I need not tell them about the shadow magic. I can say this is for another power. Whispering, or something similar.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “We appreciate it.”
Lord Balik gave a single nod. “I think that, given what you’ve shared, our alliance is strong once more. Do you two agree?”
“Yes,” Thyra said, and I echoed that sentiment.
Our ally placed his hands on his knees and stood up. “Then if you’ll excuse me, I have a raven to send on a very long journey.”
Chapter 30
VALE
“You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going?” my mate asked, her eyes hidden behind a silken sash.
“Would it be an early nameday surprise if I did?” I eyed her appreciatively.
Isolde favored amethyst, but for tonight I’d requested that she wear a deeper purple gown that I picked out. In the right light, the material shimmered like oil on water, and the gown hugged my wife’s curves to perfection.
It was an exercise in restraint not to rip the dress off of her then and there, so I gave my hands another job. One slithered behind her back, and I bent my knees to ready the other behind her legs. “I’m going to lift you.”
She squealed as I swept her off her feet. I tossed a glance back at Halladora, giving her a nod so she’d know it was time.
The faerie grinned back, pleased to be chosen for such an endeavor. I’d known Isolde would want one of her Valkyrja at our door, guarding Sassa’s Blade, and at least one with us. I’d taken care of both aspects of the evening, just as Thantrel had done for Thyra. I hoped only that my brother’s plans were going as smoothly as mine.
