“Just think on it, daughter. Think of how jealous everyone in Moonhollow would be.” Eloisa clasps her hands in front of her, her imagination clearly running wild.
“Yes, great. All right. Gotta go fight a seeker king.” Emma hitches a thumb over her shoulder and backs away a few more steps.
Eloisa shakes her head. “Rude girl.”
If her mother only knew. Though, I admit, I rather like Emma’s rude side, especially when it comes to her wicked tongue.
Emma moves along the row of well-wishers and shakes Dilrubin’s hand. “We’ll be back, Dilly, and I’ll try to keep Solano from burning anything down once we’re in residence.”
“Many thanks.” He still wears the large emerald in his ear, and even in the overcast day, it catches the light.
He’s loyal, and I know he’ll defend the Shard with Captain Anolius and what’s left of my guards. Half of my army is already on the road to the border. The other half is waiting just outside Sonnen along with the warriors Brunilla promised. We will lead them to the barrier and collect additional forces along the way.
Brock climbs onto his horse, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. The Shard is quiet, the nobles hunkering down as the rumblings of war bear down on the realm. To their credit, quite a few of them are waiting with the legions outside Sonnen, their ceremonial weapons honed for use against the seekers. We will meet our enemies as one people, and we will live or die as one people.
The weight of the coming battle settles fully on my shoulders as Emma says her last goodbyes to her mother, Lucidia, and the changelings in my service.
Captain Anolius gives her a bow. “I will keep your home safe, my queen.”
“Home.” She steps back and looks up at the spire, the top still cracked from Eraldon’s escape, though it seems like it happened ages ago. “It really is.”
“I’ll have your new quarters ready and waiting.” Lucidia clasps Emma’s hands.
Emma leans close to her. “If you could put my mother at the other end of the palace, that would be grand,” she whispers.
I cover a laugh by checking her horse over one more time.
“Emma?” Lunarie steps from the palace, a few other figures following closely behind her. “I mean, your highness?”
“You saved Grimelda.” Emma takes Lunarie’s hands, then peers behind her. “Hi, Gwenarie. Is that Lysetta? Rala!” She hurries around the others and reaches for the small changeling. “You’re awake.”
Rala backs away, her face paling as she tries to escape Emma’s embrace.
Emma stops, then backs away a few steps. “I-I’m sorry.”
I go to her and take her hand, giving her strength.
“Just please don’t touch me.” Rala shakes her head. “Please. I just can’t. I can’t.”
“I won’t. I’m sorry, Rala.” Emma keeps her tone even, but I feel the pain blooming inside her.
“Not your fault.” She edges closer to Lysetta and Gwenarie, who are strangely silent.
“Just a little spell to keep them calm, that’s all,” Lunarie offers. “It’ll wear off once we get to our cottage in the bog.”
“Is Lysetta all right?” Emma peers into her blank eyes.
“She’s not the same,” Rala says quietly. “It’s best if she’s like this, because if she were to really see you …” She hugs herself and shakes her head. “She blames you for what Caroldon did. He took nine of us because Solano broke the law and only chose you as consort. I tried to tell her it wasn’t your fault, but she won’t listen. She’s—” She shakes her head again. “Her mind isn’t ready for the truth. It’s easier for her to blame you, I think.”
“Oh.” Emma backs up, her heart still beating despite the needle of regret piercing it. “I see.” She swallows hard. “I want you to know, and I want you to tell Lysetta, that Caroldon—” Rala flinches at the name. “—is dead. I sent him to the Spires myself. He can’t hurt you ever again.”
Rala doesn’t give an outward reaction, but something in her mien relaxes just a hair. She nods at Emma. “I will tell her.”
“I’m going to try to heal Lysetta’s mind in the bog. Hers and Gwenarie’s.” Lunarie takes her sister’s hand. “If I have your permission to go, of course.” She glances from me to Emma.
“You have it.” Despite all that’s happened, Emma hugs Lunarie. “Thank you for this, for using what you know for good.”
“That’s all I ever tried to do.” Lunarie hugs her back. “Maybe I won’t mess it up this time.”
