The queen, who was hiding behind the fallen table, steps out of it, still wearing a skirt but no shirt.
I point down. “The Witch King…” Her eyes widen, and I add, “By the door. Frozen.”
We rush down the stairs, and she kneels by the old fae.
“Is he dead?” I ask.
“Was he even alive before?” the queen asks.
I shrug. “His body had blood and fluids, but… I don’t know.”
Renel and Tarlia come down as well, and the queen says, “I’ll put him in a safe cell, made to deter any magic, and call a water wielder to keep him frozen. Once you find and kill the anchors, come back for him.”
“You knew that?” Renel frowns.
The queen narrows her eyes and tilts her head. “Why wouldn’t I? You think I never read the books I own?”
He blinks. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
She places her hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you ask?”
I’m wondering if I should point out that she still hasn’t put on a blouse, or if I should keep pretending I haven’t noticed it.
“My apologies.” Renel bows and sounds actually apologetic. “Is there anything else we need to know? About how to defeat the anchors?”
She presses her lips together. “Fire magic, I suppose, but that’s as far as I know. Now, I truly appreciate your help, but I can keep the ghouls away for now. They will be gone when the morning comes. I’ll ask my guards to take you to a circle. Can you transcend?”
“I can.” Mirella raises her hand. “And can take the three of them with me.”
The queen stares at her up and down. “Hmm. A powerful transcender. Great.” She snaps her fingers, and a guard approaches. “Take them to the circle outside.”
My legs tremble when thinking of leaving the apparent safety of the castle, but I don’t complain. I glance back at the body of the Witch King, shivers running through my spine, but then follow the guard outside.
We climb some steps, then come to a small circle, where I take Tarlia’s and Mirella’s hands.
“Are you sure?” Renel asks his stepsister.
She nods, then the hill, the sky, and the castle disappear, and we’re among trees that are taller but more sparse than in the forests we were before. Moonlight rises above us, illuminating some mountains not far from us. The air is crisp and cool, with a fresh herbal scent.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“Southern Hills.” Renel points at the mountains. “Those are the Endless Mountains.”
“I was afraid they could follow us,” Mirella says. “And I can only go to circles where I’ve been before.”
“Now what?” Tarlia looks around. “Aren’t we supposed to go to the middle of these mountains?”
I pull the transcending note from my pocket. “I can write to them and tell them where we are. Then we wait.”
Mirella thinks. “No. I’ve been to the Queen’s River once, and we can go there. It won’t be by the island, but at least it will be closer. The only issue is that the circle is weaker, so I’ll need to do it slowly.”
Renel rolls his eyes. “Let me guess. You want me to go last.”
“I’ll go last.” I raise my hand. I don’t think she’ll leave me behind, or at least I hope not.
“Tarlia can go first.” Mirella reaches out to her.
“No.” Renel places a hand between them. “I don’t want her alone by the river. Can you take me first? And promise you won’t play any tricks?”
