The phoenix landed in Nyssa’s great window. Nyssa yelped and threw herself into Aydra’s arms.
“What—what is that?!” she shouted.
Aydra smiled at the beast. “She’s mine.”
“—Nyssa, are you okay—”
Lex froze in the door. “Aydra?” she breathed.
A broad smile rose on Aydra’s face, and she bounded into Lex’s grasp, hugging her best friend tightly as her chest swelled at the sight of her.
Lex pulled back and grasped Aydra’s face in her hands. “You’re burning the kingdom without me?”
Aydra almost laughed. “Just the courtyard,” she told her before hugging her again. “I got your letter. Knew I couldn’t stay there knowing what was happening.”
“But I just sent the letter this morning,” Lex argued. “I—what of Duarb’s cursed is that?!”
The phoenix screeched, and Aydra watched a visible chill run down Nyssa’s spine.
“Whoa,” Nyssa said, her eyes widened at her sister.
“I know,” Aydra agreed with a smile.
“What’s the plan?” Lex asked.
“Nope,” Aydra argued. “This does not concern either of you. This is my fight. You’ll both stay here—no arguments,” she added with a glare at Lex.
“I think you’ll need this,” Nyssa said as she pulled something off her dresser.
Aydra’s crown glimmered in the sunlight coming through the window. Her fingertips trickled over the rough edged limbs, and the weight of it sat heavy in her hands.
“Take back your seat, sister.”
Aydra fumbled with it in her hands a moment longer before placing it on her head. The mirror caught her gaze, and she found herself staring at the woman in the mirror. The dark her hair looked in the shadows of the creature. The steel her eyes reflected back with the sword in her hand.
Her jaw tightened, and she looked up at the phoenix.
Follow me, she told it.
Rhaif was waiting for her in the Council chamber.
She ignored the outbursts of the Belwarks, her sword already pulled as she threatened them.
“Out of my way,” she demanded.
“Aydra, you are not allowed in—”
She thrust the Belwark into the wall and shoved her sword beneath his throat. “Why? Because he told you I am a Queen no longer?” she hissed at him.
The guard swallowed hard. “Y-Yes.”
“Allow me to remind you who I am.”
Her sword sliced through his throat, and his head rolled onto the ground.
His torso dropped out of her hand, fiery ash staining the white rock floor. She turned slowly towards the other guards.
“On your knees,” she growled at them.
