“Dismissing you was a big mistake and a loss for the queen,” Prince Rha said adamantly. “I’ve now witnessed your sharp thinking and strategic planning. I’ve seen you in action. And I know that having someone with your skills and experience would benefit us greatly. However, I also understand that you may be reluctant to trust me as the queen’s son.”
Timur made a gesture of protest, but the prince spoke again, “Think about it, General. Take your time to discuss it with your mate.” He gestured at me. “I’ll wait for your answer for as long as it takes for you to give it.”
Timur thanked the prince for his offer and his patience. But I knew how much just hearing those words from the prince meant to him. He sat straight, his head held high, his left hand clasped around my fingers.
I leaned closer to him. “There is nothing you need to discuss with me about this,” I whispered. “I’ll support whatever you decide.”
He turned to me with a smile so wide, his fangs peeked out, and I already knew what his decision would be. Timur was coming back to life and regaining everything he’d lost.
A moment later, Ciana and her mate Kurai joined us outside of the palace gates.
I hugged her tightly. “I’m so glad you made it to Teneris.”
“I’m even more glad you avoided Ashgate completely,”I added in my head but didn’t say it out loud, not wanting to bring up the shadows of that place.
She beamed. “Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Coming to Teneris has been the right decision for us.”
I had so many questions both for Ciana and Dawn. But there would still be time for all of us to sit down together and catch up.
Right now, however, the horns and drums announced the queen’s arrival.
Four guards in royal uniforms carried in a big, richly decorated litter. It required the same number of guards that were in charge of Timur’s chair today. Only the royal litter was significantly bigger. It was covered with a round tent of black fabric embroidered with golden hexagons and decorated with strings of gold chains and amber beads. I hoped, for her guards’ sake, that the queen had changed her mode of transportation at the city gates and didn’t force the guards to carry her in that thing all the way from Kalmena.
The guards set the litter down, then opened the tapestry curtains on its side.
Queen Abeille was a short woman for a fae. Her hand trembled slightly as she leaned onto a guard’s arm, getting out of the litter. She was dressed in a chocolate brown skirt with a matching long veil over her head, both stitched with embroidery of golden thread and beads along the edges.
I noticed that the queen’s tendrils were extended. As she stepped onto the mosaic floor of the palace plaza, her shadowy tendrils stretched from under her veil, reaching back into the litter. She pulled them out of the litter, however, promptly disconnecting them from whomever they had been connected to inside and drawing them back under her clothes.
Prince Rha stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, welcome to Teneris,” he greeted her with a bow, respectful but distant.
Remembering what Dawn had told me about the queen’s relationship with her son, I wondered if the prince also feared that the queen’s visit might be a trap.
The queen gazed at him from under the embroidered edge of her veil, then let go of the supporting arm of the guard and stepped closer to her son. She took his hand in both of hers.
“My son,” she said softly.
Just two words, said in a voice that only those of us standing close enough could hear. Yet the effect of them, combined with the queen’s gesture of holding her estranged son’s hand, was profound.
Prince Rha froze. Even his breathing seemed to pause. Dawn moved her eyes between her prince and his mother, her mouth hanging slightly open. Her eyes searching, she seemed to be waiting for something either really good or terribly bad to happen next.
Ciana, who was obviously aware of the situation between Prince Rha and his mother, gasped softly, bringing her handto her mouth. She looked more hopeful than the others. Anticipation sparked in her golden-brown eyes.
The tapestry curtain of the litter flew open once again, and a human woman exited onto the plaza. I recognized her flaming-red hair immediately.
“Lucia!” I whisper-screamed in shock and excitement.
“Well, helloooo again Teneris.” Lucia stretched her back, likely sore after the long journey.
“Lucia, you’re back!” Dawn jumped to hug her, forgoing all formalities.
“Did you miss me?” Lucia grinned, returning Dawn’s hug.
“You brought a Joy Vessel with you?” Prince Rha asked his mother.
“Not just any Joy Vessel,” the queen corrected sternly. “Lucia is my friend. I hope you can find her a suitable accommodation close to mine. We just started reading a new book, and I wish to continue our daily reading sessions while I’m here.”
