When Queen Wymark nodded, Emmerick stood. Her attention was now on me and Fenris. I gathered my robes and lowered myself to one knee. The leather of my breeches squeaked against the marble floor. I realized that the guards had not checked us for weapons—which reassured me that we were, in fact, being received as guests and not prisoners.
Fenris knelt beside me. We both bowed our heads, awaiting acknowledgment. Amara had taught me these formalities of the courts should I ever need them.
“Lady Asterie, High Enchantress of the Central Corridor.”
I braced as she announced me in my formal title.
“I am honored to make your acquaintance. The Court of Luz welcomes you. Thank you for your service to the lands of Henosis. You may rise.”
“The pleasure is mine, my Queen.”
I stood. Queen Wymark turned her unflinching gaze to Fenris, who had stayed bowed before her. She contemplated him for a moment.
“Fenris, Destroyer of Phynx. You are here due to a great debt owed.” The young Queen’s voice showed no kindness to him.Good.
“We shall discuss that debt tomorrow morning. I require you and Lady Asterie in my study by eight—no later. Do not make me regret my decision to leave you uncuffed. You may rise.”
When Fenris rose to look up at our Queen, he wore no smirk or charismatic expression.“Queen Wymark, I am grateful for your mercy.”
The Queen turned to me again. “Lady Asterie—”
“She prefers the informal, just Asterie,” Emmerick corrected from the left side of the room.
“Asterie,” the Queen said with a smile in her Constable’s direction. “Watch over Fenris and ensure he is no trouble to this court. Can I trust in you?”
“You can trust me with your life and court, my Queen.”
“I offer you sanctuary here. I understand that your absence from the towers is unwonted, but your presence here is most welcome. This evening, you are both to join our welcome celebrations—my court is very curious about their High Enchantress.”
“I am most thankful to you,” I answered with a weary smile.
That seemed more straightforward than it should have been. The fact she could celebrate at all was worrisome—my mind raced through all the reasons the Queen should dismiss my presence here.
The darkness in my origins.
The flames flickering in my veins.
The unruly draw toward the insufferable warlock next to me.
Firose’s connection to the Wastelands.
A dying immortal King in the North.
Queen Wymark seemed at ease with it all.
“You may call me Sybilla. We will be good friends”—it wasn’t a question—“and that is reason enough to celebrate.”
My mouth hung open, ready to question her, but when I looked up, she was motioning to the guards at the doors.
“After all—we must seek the brightest moments of dark days,” the Queen said.
My gaze landed on Emmerick. A familiar outlook on life.
“The maids will show you both to your quarters.”
Sybilla stood and walked between Fenris and me. She stopped momentarily to rest a hand on my elbow.
She leaned in, and her words were quiet and for me alone. “I am truly honored to meet you. I wish the circumstances were different. I insist you find your way through the gardens. They’re quite beautifulat dusk.Alone.” This wasn’t a recommendation—it was an order.
