Another knock comes at the door, and Captain Anolius enters. He gives me a bow and says, “The king awaits.”
“All right. Just one moment.” I smile. He returns it. It’s genuine from him, and it brings me so much comfort. I’ve been so afraid that I wouldn’t be accepted, but I’ve found that the people I trusted most when I was here as a changeling are the ones who accept me now. True friends.
“I’ll have to talk it over with Solano.”
“Oh.” Lunarie drops her gaze.
“But I will say I’m inclined to grant your request.”
Lucidia harrumphs, and my mother throws up her hands.
“On one condition.”
Lunarie clasps her hands, the fingertips still tinted violet. “Anything.”
“Grimelda still dances with the magic. Eraldon hurt her badly.” I can’t say the rest—that I hurt her even more by letting Eraldon kill her mother Lex. I swallow that shame down, because it does no one any good, least of all me. “If you can wake her, I will set you and your sister free on the condition that you live in the bog for the rest of your lives and never return to the Shard unless summoned by the king or me.”
“Yes.” She takes my hand and presses her forehead to the back of it. “Yes. I spoke with Caltinius, and we tried a few things. But if this is what will save Gwen …” She releases me. “I can do it. Ihaveto do it. Thank you, Emma. I mean, my queen. Thank you, your highness.” She turns and hurries past the guards and back into the corridor.
“You don’t expect me to call you ‘your highness’, do you?” Mother worries with my skirt, fluffing and arranging.
I grab her elbow and pull her up beside me. “I’ll make you a deal. You don’t have to call me ‘your highness’ if you promiseneverto say anything about ‘the bloom of my youth’ ever again. Yes?”
She admires the dress, her eyes taking me in, and when she reaches my face, she smiles so beautifully that she looks young again. “Let’s get going then,your highness.”
36
Solano
“I’m going to rip that dress off you with my teeth.”
Emma shoots me a sly look. “Promise?”
“The nobles are anxious.” Brock catches up to us.
“Always.” I sigh. “Are we ready to depart for the border?”
“As soon as your address is done, we can go.”
“Good.” We turn down the hall that leads to the throne room. “Brock, I need you to stay.”
“No.” Brock’s tone is firm. “I’m fighting for my realm.”
“I need you here.” I stop and turn to him.
“With all due respect, my king, there is no way you can keep me here. I’m going to fight by your side, and you don’t have to like it.” He pulls up to his full height.
“Wow. You’re even sterner than I remember.” Emma gives him an appreciative nod.
“And now you have wings. Things change, I suppose.” He keeps his gaze on me. “But my loyalty to you never will. I swore my oath to protect you, to serve the realm. I tried my hand at being regent.” He looks like he just tasted something foul, his upper lip curling. “It’s not for me. Advising, strategizing, and fighting. That’s what I’ve built my life on. I can’t serve as regent any longer.”
I want him to secure the Shard and keep Sonnen safe, but I must admit I like having all my closest warriors at hand. The coming battle isn’t something we’ve ever faced. The last war between night and day is ancient history, but the realms still bear the scars of that conflict. The distrust between our peoples still runs deep.
He bows his head a fraction. “Please, Solano. Keep me by your side.”
Emma squeezes my fingers. “Let him come. He’s like a lost puppy without you.”
“The two of you are a pair. You wouldn’t stay when I asked, and now Brock has decided to defy my wishes as well.”
