“If it pleases you all,” she added, her tone just slightly softened.
She was her father’s daughter. Of that, there was no doubt.
“Terran, you did not eat,” Lyra began as each of those gathered began to rise.
“I will eat when this is done,” I said. And then for her ears alone: “A feast long desired and worth the wait.”
She slapped my upper arm, seemingly uncaring the playful gesture was noticed by more than one. As they filtered out of the room, I grabbed her wrist, holding Lyra back. I added, “The moment we are alone, you will strip out of those garments, lie on my bed, and spread your legs for such a feast. Do you understand me, Lyra?”
As always, her expression, a mixture of defiance and budding lust, displayed the internal war she waged. But thankfully, I knew which side would win. To ensure it, I added, “And this time, if you do not cry my name so loud those in The Crooked Key can hear it, I will not allow you up from my bed until that happens.”
Her lips were too enticing not to kiss, and so I did. Quickly, a taste that did nothing more than inflame my already engorged appetite for her.
She attempted to leave the chamber.
Not so quickly, my slippery Shadow Diplomat.
I held her wrist firm.
“Do you understand?”
“We are about to?—”
“Lyra?”
“I understand.”
I let her go. Reluctantly.
But not for long.
39
LYRA
We’d been here before. But would this time be different?
Even with the new information we’d gathered—and Rowan’s revelation—the mood inside the Temple was as somber as after the last failed attempt, as if none expected it to work.
There were other differences, though.
Mev and Galfrid had once again switched places. And this time, Mev’s attire was distinctly… human. As was Kael’s, as if they both dressed expecting success.
Terran stood beside me, glaring at his brother. The sight of him in such attire was, I was certain, jarring. It was possible, if this worked, it could be the last time he would see Kael. If it opened, none could predict the Gate’s stability.
The arch, and its runes, remained cold and silent.
“Bring them forth,” Mev called, her voice strong.
As before, the artifacts were brought to her and placed in the shallow basin. When Galfrid, Nerys, and Terran stood back, only one remained.
Rowan stepped forward, briefly squeezing the decidedly worried-looking queen’s hand.
Taking Mev’s outstretched one, Rowan faced the artifacts with her.
Without hesitation, she began.
“By the blood of kings and queens, with the artifacts of each clan, including Estmere’s Keeper, and the memory of the first sealing, I call balance once more. Let the Gate be opened, that Elydor and the world of humans might be joined.”
