“Perfect choice,” Reyla said.
“Iama killer on the Wraithweave board.” His glance fell on me, and he nodded and grinned as if we were allies in this. “I heard you play. If we can locate a board, I’d love to challenge you.”
“I don’t play games,” I said. “Nothing I do is pretend.”
His smile fell. “Oh, yeah, I guess I understand.” His attention slid to Tempest. “I’m yours to command.” Rising, he bowed before taking his seat again.
“Aunt Vera?” Tempest said. “You have skills we haven’t explored yet, but being able to foretell the future—”
Airia gulped. “She can?”
“Not consistently enough to make much of a difference, I’m afraid,” Vera said.
“Would you and Vexxion be my advisors?” Tempest asked. “I wish I’d paid more attention during classes, though we didn’t get into anything like this often. They’d never believe one of us would one day become high lady of a fae court, let alone need to lead an army against the king. I need help with strategies and tactical support.”
“I’ll help all I can,” Vera said.
“I’ve always been yours,” I said. Despite the mist holding me away from her, that belief was solid in my heart.
She squeezed my hand. “Thank you. You have skills unlike anyone else in this room, and I’m going to use them.”
My smile grew. “Any time, Tempest. Any time.”
“What can I do?” Reyla asked.
Airia nodded. “Give me a job too.”
“I assume I’ll have staff who can run the real machine of an army?” I asked Vera. “I’m thinking of those needed to take care of the dragons and supervise weapon’s production.”
“Indeed,” Vera said. “Lydel has been self-sufficient for longer than anyone can remember. Once everyone is freed, they’ll come to you to offer their services. Our court is loyal andknowing that Mayline’s daughter has claimed her court will rally them around you.”
“Would you supervise the care of the dragons?” Tempest asked Airia.
“I’d be glad to.” Her eyes glowed with excitement. “A friend back in Bledmire mentioned the area of Lydel that’s part of the main continent, the section the king now controls. There are people there who might be eager to join us, and there are dragons. I’ll find a way to reach out to them.”
“Perfect,” Tempest said. “Reyla, this battle won’t be fought only with weapons and dragon fire. We need someone to find new and creative ways to use magic. I want you to lead that charge.”
She held up her glowing finger, a trick most fae children mastered before they turned three. “You know I can’t do much magic.”
“You mastered that spell almost from the moment you learned it. I think you have incredibly strong, untapped power.”
I sensed that as well. “Where do you come from?”
“I was found crying in a tree after a village was raided,” Reyla said. “I vaguely remember my parents. They were killed during a dreg raid. A rider took me to the fortress and here I am now.” She nodded to Tempest. “I’ll be happy to explore new ways to use magic.” She shot an arc of power at the sword hanging on the wall, making it rattle, before blowing on the tip of her finger. “Would you look at that?”
“I’ll work with you.” Tempest squeezed my hand again. “We’llallwork with you.”
“I’d be happy to lead some classes,” I said. “My skills might be unconventional but they’re effective.”
“I want to learn magic too,” Brodine said seriously. “I was locked up in my head for too long, and I’ve missed out on what everyone else has been learning.”
“I could offer some classes also,” Vera said. “I was an instructor long ago, and while my skills may need polishing, this is one area where I believe we can excel.”
“Can I attend these classes too?” Airia asked tentatively. “My lord didn’t teach me any magic. Everything I can do, and it’s not much, I had to pick up on my own from friends.”
“Of course.” Tempest cleared her throat. “Speaking of which,” she kept her voice neutral, but her sharp gaze pinned Airia in place, “I asked but you never told me who collared you.”
Airia fidgeted for a moment, and I got the impression she was going to leap up and flee the room, but she placed her hands on the table on either side of her legs, flattening the palms to connect with the surface. Her wild eyes swept around the room before she sucked in a deep breath and released it with her words. “I didn’t tell you because you wouldn’t let me come with you if you knew.” She stood and her body tensed, her face cratering. Did she think we’d kill her on the spot?
