Briar’s index finger brushed her husband’s. “But will it end the same?”
“Alas, I could pretend to know what might happen next,” Poet inferred. “But I’m not that good of a liar.”
Queen Avalea’s expression tapered. “My grandson has informed us The Wandering Fields allowed you to pass through on the night you fled the castle. Moreover, this enclave has welcomed you. Additionally, I’ve been made aware ofthe ultimatum under which you were placed, as well as the testimonial and evidence provided in your favor.” The queen pursed her lips in deliberation. “With these facts in mind, and given the proof that you acted as a double agent not only to keep the clan safe, but to further our campaign, everyone in attendance has petitioned for clemency.”
Our surprised gazes swung between the clan, who stared back with the stirrings of hope. Faith in their wisdom trailed through me. Over the years, every person here had made mistakes. They paid the price and hadn’t taken their redemption for granted.
Indeed, our fellowship sought to change the world. Thus far, we succeeded.
We had knowledge and sageness on our side. Most of all, we had empathy. Even morally black Jeryn, regardless of his aloof exterior.
Her Majesty exchanged a look with Briar, Poet, and Nicu. “Very well,” she determined. “Our trust will not be regained easily, but you’ve earned the love and support of our kingdom’s most devoted First Knight, as well as the allegiance of my grandson, this wilderness, and this clan. I speak for all of us when I say we believe you.”
Aspen’s mouth trembled. “Truly? I don’t—”
“I’m not finished. We believe you, but we cannot exonerate you,” Avalea conditioned. “You will be placed on disciplinary probation, with troops stationed at your residence to make sure you abide by the laws and restrictions set forth. Your correspondence will be reviewed. Upon returning to the castle, your participation in the roundtables shall be limited until we deem it safe. And every weapon produced in your forge will be inspected.”
A faint light crept across the queen’s face. “But yes, truly.” Then she grunted in exasperation. “And for Seasons’ sake, Aire.Do release Aspen’s hand before your death grip obstructs her circulation.”
Oxygen vacated my lungs. My limbs threatened to give way.
Despite my alternate plan to carry Aspen out of here if the judgement had been damning, I squeezed her fingers before letting go. Without preamble, Flare bounded forward, untethered our wrists, and hugged us.
Nicu looked ready to do the same. However, Briar stalled her son with regret.
Later, we would embrace. For now, there was more to say.
Jeryn strode forward on long limbs, his baritone deliberate. “The explosives you used to detonate the camp. You said they prevented the oak and its neighboring trees from burning.”
Taking my hand once more, Aspen nodded. “Somehow, it rendered the foliage impervious.”
“Impossible.” Jeryn’s crystalline irises flashed as though he’d been stewing on this for a while. “Autumn lacks the natural resources to dilute the effects of Summer tinder, much less to protect the environment from a combustion of that magnitude. What did the explosive consist of?”
“A mixture of dry reeds, with artificial buds doused in some type of man-made liquid.” She shook her head. “But Lyrik keeps his cards close. He never listed the ingredients.”
“He did to me,” Nicu provided, then tallied the components.
Jeryn’s gaze slit. “Winter ingredients.”
I paused, flummoxed. “How the devil would Lyrik get his hands on that?”
“How does Lyrik get his hands on anything?” Aspen countered.
On that front, Jeryn retrieved a vessel from his coat pocket. The elixir Aspen found in Rhys’s tent. I had been present when the clan searched her cabin, but the king must have quietly discovered it among Aspen’s belongings, while I’d been too frenzied to remember this piece of evidence.
Winter rolled the vessel between his fingers. “This is a fertility drug.”
“Lyrik confirmed as much,” I supplied.
“Did he also confirm it contains reproductive properties that don’t exist anywhere but in The Phantom Wild? That is, other than the king’s semen?”
Poet grimaced. “First of all, I just had dinner, and this bespoke coat is new. Second, we weren’t even aware the man possessed a working cock.”
Eliot balled a fist to his mouth. Cadence snorted.
Jeryn ignored everyone. “This mixture enables a rare form of artificial insemination.” A hiss sliced across the king’s tongue. “So rare—and so new—that only one person possesses it.”
Briar frowned in discernment. “It’s from your lab.”
