“See? We should make more bargains, then. Just to keep things interesting.”
He leaned in again, and I closed my eyes, relishing his woodsy scent as it washed over me. His mouth captured mine, and I tugged on his collar to bring him closer.
Theron chuckled against my lips. “Life with you,” he murmured, “will always be interesting, my queen. With or without bargains.”
Three years later
“Watch your footing,”I said, gesturing to Morwenna’s feet. “Plant them firmly. If you wobble, your strike won’t be as forceful.”
Morwenna’s brows screwed up in concentration as she mimicked my movements, her small mouth puckered. Her blunt blade swished with her movements, her footwork steady and firm.
I nodded with a smile. “Good.” I turned to Gemma, her younger sister. “Show me your strike.”
Gemma lifted her wooden blade, then jabbed it forward with the exact intensity I had taught her.
“Here.” I drew closer, lifting her arms up a fraction. “Aim higher. Your opponent will likely be much bigger than you. And if you have the strength,twist.” I motioned with the practice blade. “If you can wrench that weapon inside them, it’ll slow them down further.”
“Sir Theron!”
I looked up, finding a servant sprinting into the courtyard, a rolled-up piece of parchment clutched in his hands. I stepped away from my students and raised my eyebrows expectantly.
“Your presence is requested.” The man shoved the parchment into my hands.
I unrolled it and glanced over the familiar handwriting. “She needs me right now?”
The servant huffed in exasperation. “It is thequeen, my lord. She asked me to summon you, so I did. I did not ask questions.”
“Right. Of course.” I sighed, tucking the parchment into my pocket before turning to the six young girls waiting for me to continue training. “I’m sorry, everyone, but we will have to resume our lessons tomorrow.”
A few of them groaned in disappointment.
“I can take over,” said a familiar voice.
I turned and found Stella striding toward me, her steps lithe and graceful. She wore black leathers and had a throwing knife in each hand. After Eira had been coronated, Stella had worked with me on creating a training program to teach young girls self-defense. Now, between court duties, we alternated instructing our pupils.
I smiled warmly at her. Ever since Eira had resurrected her, Stella had been… different. More altered. She was much more somber than before, though there were echoes of her former self that emerged in moments here and there. Her hair was now silver, completely void of all color. Her eyes, once a brilliant blue, were as black as my own.
And there was something… off about her scent. She no longer smelled human. Not quite fae either, but… something dark. Something close to death.
Regardless, she had served on the Winter Court for years now. Eira trusted her, and I did, too. Bringing someone back from death was likely to change a person. I could hardly judge her for that.
Stella’s fathomless eyes fixed on me expectantly, and I nodded. “Thank you, Stella.”
She offered a small smile. Positioning herself in front of the crowd of students, Stella said, “All right, girls. Show me how you block.”
The girls immediately sprang into action. I smiled slightly, thinking of Eira and her ferocity. These girls would grow up to be like her someday.
That was my hope.
I returned my sword to the armory and made my way up the steps to the castle entrance. My stomach was already doing backflips at the thought of meeting a guest with Eira in the throne room. Teaching fighting skills was comfortable for me. Easy. Familiar. But court politics? I wasn’t sure if I would ever get accustomed to it.
There wasn’t time to bathe or change, so I merely adjusted my coat and smoothed down my wild hair before climbing the spiral staircase that led to the throne room. I nodded at the soldiers guarding the doors as I walked in.
Eira stood in the center of the room in front of her throne. For a moment, I was swept away by her beauty. She wore a long, midnight blue gown with sparkling diamonds embedded in the fabric. A white shawl was draped around her shoulders, and her silver crown glistened in the faint light streaming in from the windows. Her inky black hair was twisted into a knot on the side of her head, with several loose curls framing her face. Her expression was solemn as she conversed with…
My heart stuttered in my chest as I recognized the rose gold skin and white hair.
This was Nyra, the pixie queen. She wore a vibrant purple dress that exposed her back, allowing her long, glittering wings to stretch freely behind her. Next to her was Sage, the ambassador for the pixies, who wore a golden gown that fell in shimmering waves all the way down to her feet.
