"You're one to talk. Your palace has a room called the Weeping Hall,” Nesihan replies.
"It's architecturally significant."
"It makes guests cry. Literally. Uncontrollably."
"Only the ones with guilty consciences." I smirk. "You seemed fine."
"I was sobbing for twenty minutes."
"And screaming my name for the next forty. The Hall has excellent acoustics."
Her face flames. "That was—we were?—"
"Negotiating. Yes. I remember. Very thorough negotiations."
Banu actually laughs at this—real laughter, for the first time since we arrived. "Gods, I missed you two bickering. It's almost normal. Almost like we're not trapped in a realm where the trees spy and the architecture has abandonment issues."
The golden path leads us to a massive chamber. The space is vast, walls curving away into shadows, ceiling lost among branches that stretch toward what might be sky or might be starlight filtered through leaves.
Our group falls silent, even the musical chatter of our fae guides dying away. There's a weight to this place, a presence that makes my shadows press close to my skin.
Banu stops at the threshold. When she speaks, her voice has lost all its usual playfulness. "Öz Odasi," she says quietly, almostreverently. "The Heart Chamber. Carved from the core of the first tree—the one that grew before the realms split."
She doesn't step inside immediately, and I notice her wings have gone still. "This is where the Grove keeps its oldest memories. Its deepest secrets."
Queen Morwenna sits not on a throne but within the living wood itself—the tree has grown around and through a chair-shaped space, supporting her with roots and branches. But now I notice the way the roots pulse, like they're feeding on her, or she's feeding on them.
"My guests," she says, her voice carrying centuries. "How do you find the Grove?"
"Educational," I reply diplomatically. "Your realm is... unique."
"Diplomatic," she observes with amusement. "Though we both know what you really think. You find my home chaotic, illogical, and deeply impractical."
Since she's correct, I decide on honesty. "It's certainly creative. Though I admit I'm curious about the practical governance of a realm where architecture has opinions and time operates on flexible principles."
"The same way you govern a realm built on shadows and violence—very carefully, with deep respect for the forces involved." Her attention shifts to Banu. "How are you feeling, little spark?"
"Like I'm remembering why I left," Banu says bluntly, then flashes her grandmother a bright smile. "I'm grateful to be here, truly, but I forgot how... attentive everything is here. The flowers judge my life choices, the trees have opinions about my posture, and yesterday a mirror lectured me about my skincare routine. It's like living with a thousand gossipy aunts who never learned boundaries."
Morwenna's smile doesn't waver. "Everything has a cost, child. You should remember that." Her ancient eyes move between us, taking in our travel-worn appearance, the way we stand ready for either diplomacy or violence. "I trust your accommodations have been adequate? Three days is hardly sufficient time to appreciate the Grove's hospitality, but I sense urgency in your bearing."
"We need the Fae armies," I say, cutting through the pleasantries. "The Light Court is preparing for total war. Without your intervention, the Shadow Court falls within weeks."
"Ah." Morwenna leans back against her living throne, and I catch the glint of amusement in her eyes. "How refreshingly direct. No diplomatic courtesies, no elaborate negotiations. Straight to demands. And what makes you think the Fae would involve ourselves in a conflict between the courts?"
"Because the Light Court won't stop at conquering the Shadow Realm," Nesilhan says. "They'll expand eastward. The neutral territories will be next, including the Grove."
"Perhaps. Or perhaps they'll be content with their victory."
"Grandmother," Banu says softly, "they've already proven they can infiltrate the Grove. The shapeshifter that took my place—if they can do that once..."
"They can do it again," Morwenna finishes. "Yes, I've considered this."
I sense an opening. "An alliance would serve both our interests. The Shadow Court gains military support. The Fae gain assurance that their borders remain inviolate."
"And what would you offer in return for twenty thousand Fae warriors?"
"What do you want?" I ask simply.
