At last, her gaze fell upon Maeve. She studied her for a moment, as though she hadn’t noticed her presence yet.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“My name is Maeve Sinclair,” she answered without hesitation.
Lithandrian’s eyes widened slightly.
“Can I see?”
Maeve didn’t move.
“Come now,” said Lithandrian. “I’ve heard rumor you are capable of ensnaring the mind entirely. I want to see.”
“No.” Ambrose spoke with authority. “This is the most important meeting in a century. She can show off for you later if that is what you desire.”
Lithandrian smiled at Ambrose.
“And why is your daughter present?” She asked with no condemnation in her sing-song voice.
“Maeve is to be my second,” answered Mal.
Lithandrian looked over at her husband. He sat to her right, just as Maeve was at Mal’s. She smiled knowingly. “Entangled, aren’t we?”
“Actually, I am confused about why you were begged to be here,” said Reeve. “What does the Elven land offer us? You have no magic.” Reeve shrugged.
“My army is thrice the size of your Senshi Immortals,” she replied with a laugh. “Perhaps I misheard you just lost a third of your Magical Militia, Premier?”
“I thought the goal was harmony,” said Reeve. “What do we need armies for?”
“The blight,” said Mal. “I will need armies to fight that darkness.”
The room was silent for a moment. Reeve’s all too casual demeanor vanished. “Indeed, you will.”
“You are not the first to claim the Dread Lands,” said Lithandrian. “How can we be certain of your Magic? I believe your Magical Government was nearly overturned not a fortnight ago.”
“Kietel did not come close to overthrowing the Magicals,” said Mal with a soft smile. “And I do not wish to overthrow. My only goal is to return my people to their planet, where their magic can flourish. I do not wish to seek power by force, or topple governments. I desire to restore Dread Magic and our home,” said Mal.
The Magicals in the room stood at once, their fists placed over their hearts in a motion of honor. Maeve watched Lithandrian. Her brows flicked up.
“It seems your have already moved some of your kind. But it will take time for change to be accepted,” said Lithandrian. “I wish you the best, Malachite Peur.”
Mal bowed his head at the Elven Queen. “I do not take your affection lightly. Your allegiance would mean a great deal in writing the wrongs of the past.”
“Stay the course,” said Lithandrian. “And you shall have it.”
Mal smiled at her with reverent charm.
Lithandrian looked back to Ambrose. “Did you receive a reply from the North?”
Ambrose shook his head.
“To be expected. Kier and his ice planet have cut all contact with the other realms.” She looked back to Mal. “You should travel to him, young Dread Prince. I promise he would open that wall of ice for you.”
Kier and his people lived in a realm Maeve knew little about aside from the fact that it was perpetually a frozen land, and Kier, a human, had been King there for years. He closed their planet from all other realms the day his Father died and he was crowned.
Giants, werewolves, goblins, centaurs and all sorts of winged human-like creatures occupied Kier’s ice planet called Hiems.
“Thank you,” Mal replied to Lithandrian.
