“The first of many, I hope,” Kian says. “For all of us. The realm needs new life.”
“It does,” I tell him.
There is fear behind his words and in his eyes. I feel it too. This war is far from won. In fact, it’s only beginning. It’s why we’re all here.
We continue walking, and soon the meeting hall comes into view.
It’s the open pavilion built into the mouth of a great cave with the whale bones forming the arching supports. There are furs on raised pavilions, and to the side stands a long table carved from a single piece of dark wood.
Kilara waits at the head of the table, her presence commanding, even from across the hall. Beside her stands Terra, her second-in-command.
We approach, and I make the introductions.
“Drakar Kilara, may I present the Lost Kings. Orion of the beastfae, Damon of the icefae, Xander of the bloodfae, and Kian of the emptyfae.”
Kilara inclines her head, her eyes moving from one king to the next. “Welcome to the Shifter Court. I am glad you came.”
“We are honored by the invitation,” Orion replies. “It’s long past time our peoples spoke.”
“Indeed.” Kilara gestures for us to sit. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
We take our places around the table. I sit near Kilara, with Orion and Damon on my left and Xander and Kian on my right. Terra remains standing, her sharp gaze sweeping over us all.
“Before we begin,” Orion says, “I must ask, has Salvorne been found? You’ve spent many weeks searching. I had hoped for good news.” It is clear from the look on his face that he expects to be disappointed.
Kilara’s expression shifts. A shadow crosses her features, and I see the frustration there as well as the pain.
“No, I’m afraid not.” The words come out clipped. “All of my efforts have failed thus far.” She takes a breath. “But I will keep trying. I know he is out there. I know it won’t be long before I find him.”
“We will help in any way we can,” Damon says.
Kilara nods, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “I appreciate that. Truly.” She straightens in her seat. “But there are more pressing matters at hand. I am glad you all came. I want peace between our species. For too long, we have been divided. Suspicious of one another, which has made us weak.”
“On that, we agree,” Xander says.
“Snow has ruled through division,” Kian adds. “If we are to defeat her, we must stand together.”
“Precisely.” Kilara leans forward. “We have much to discuss about preparations. So that once all the Lost Kings are found, we will be ready to mobilize. I know that you have traveled far,” she continues. “You must be famished. Today is for resting. For getting to know one another. Tomorrow, we will hold a more formal meeting and begin planning in earnest.”
She signals to a group of shifterfae waiting near the entrance, and they begin bringing out great platters of food. Roasted meat, fresh bread, bowls of stewed vegetables, along with pitchers of wine and flagons of ale. The scents that fill the hall are enticing.
“Please, help yourselves,” she says as the platters are set before us.
I reach for a leg of roasted fowl as the others begin filling their plates.
Orion leans closer to me, his voice dropping low enough that only I can hear.
“I have news from the Shadow Court.”
I set down my food and give him my full attention.
“Belen has been made Ruler General,” he continues. “Isla’s mother was stripped of her rank. From what we hear, Snow was not pleased.”
“That’s good news. Belen is fully on our side. This bodes well for us in the war we’re soon to wage.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
I take a drink of wine, considering the implications. Belen in power means we have an ally in my own court. Someone who can feed us information, who can work from within to weaken Snow’s hold.
