Daleina interrupted him again. “Iknow.” She swept down the hallway. Up ahead, two guards stood at attention on either side of Poison-Master Garnah’s door, ostensibly protecting the dangerous concoctions inside but also monitoring Garnah’s movements. They inclined their heads as she approached but otherwise remained vigilant. One of them spotted the tree spirit in Daleina’s hair—she saw his eyes widen. “The Queen’s Poisoner is dangerous. It’s important she be reminded that I’mmoredangerous.”
Let them all think about that.
She wasn’t certain she believed it, but it sounded good, and she needed all her self-confidence wrapped around her like armor if she was going to convince Garnah to cooperate.
Stepping forward, Ven swung open the door for her, and she entered the room.
Arin scurried forward. “Daleina!” She wore a thick leather apron and a falconer’s gloves. Her hair was pulled back into a bun that didn’t allow for any strand to slip out, and she had protective glasses on her face.
“Please don’t hug me if you’ve been playing with poison,” Daleina said.
Her little sister skidded to a stop.
“Why is that even a thing I have to say?” Daleina asked.
Across the room, Garnah chuckled. She was not dressed in any protective gear. Instead she wore layers of flouncy lace that billowed around her like a child’s drawing of a cloud. Three peacock feathers stuck out of her elaborately braided hair.She looked like she’s been playing dress-up in a courtier’s closet,Daleina thought, and wondered if Garnah was deliberately mocking the court ladies or if that was merely an accidental bonus. With Garnah, it could be either. “Your Majesty,” Garnah said, rising then curtsying. Her skirts pooled around her. “My beloved son.” Crossing to Hamon, she embraced him. He stiffened, and Daleina thought he’d rather bolt than endure her touch. But he was here to help, not cause a scene, and so he didn’t move. Garnah then turned to Ven. “And the gruff, muscly man.” She pinched Ven’s bicep.
“You insisted on coming,” Daleina told him.
Garnah glanced at Daleina’s crown. “Nice hat.”
The spirit hissed. Garnah stuck her tongue out at it.
So much for impressing her,Daleina thought.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? Or are you here to visit my protégée?” Garnah frowned at one of the workbenches. “Arin, don’t let the wormtongue bathe in the hazel brine for more than three minutes.”
“Oh!” Arin hurried back across the laboratory, secured her glasses, and then used tongs to lift a gnarled root out of a container of algae-green water.
Hamon shook his head. “Mother, tell me you aren’t teaching her how to make beetle bane.” Daleina recognized the name of the poison—it was a common one for eliminating vermin from crops of berries, but mishandled it could be toxic. It was one reason why every cook washed berries before cooking with them.
“She’s not making beetle bane,” Garnah said.
“I’m making breath-choker juice,” Arin said cheerfully.
Daleina sighed. If their parents ever learned about half the things that Arin was meddling with, they’d yank Arin out of Mittriel so fast that she wouldn’t even have time to pack.I should tell them. Even if they blame me.At least at home her sister would be safe. “Is that as ominous as it sounds?”
“Certainly hope so,” Garnah said. “Otherwise she’ll have to start over. But you didn’t come to talk about mundane things like death. What do you need, Your Majesty?”
Daleina debated several ways to frame the request and then opted for the direct approach. “Queen Merecot has Queen Naelin’s two children, and has requested Queen Naelin’s assistance in exchange for their safe return. I need you to accompany Queen Naelin to Semo and do what you can to keep her alive until the problem of excess spirits is solved.”
“And after it’s solved,” Ven put in. “Keeping her alive in general would be good. We like her living.” He was fingering the hilt of his sword, and Daleina wasn’t certain if it was Garnah or the spirit on the crown that was making him uneasy.Or maybe it’s the deadly poison that my baby sister is brewing...
“We don’t trust Queen Merecot for obvious reasons,” Daleina said, “and I believe that your expertise and experience would make you the ideal choice—”
Garnah smiled sweetly. “You’re so kind to think of me, but no, thank you.”
Daleina tried again. “Your service would be greatly appreciated. And well rewarded. In fact, if this mission is successful, you and all those who accompany Naelin would be considered heroes. Songs would be sung about you by canopy singers for generations.”
“While all that fame sounds lovely, I cannot leave my beloved son now that I have at last found him.” Garnah patted Hamon’s cheek, and he flinched. “I assume you won’t be going to Semo on this joyful jaunt?”
“I’m needed here, with Queen Daleina, as her personal healer,” Hamon said.
“Very personal, I know.” Garnah winked. “But don’t think I disapprove! I think it’s delightful! What more could a mother hope for, than for her son to find happiness in the arms of—”
Ven growled, “Enough.”
Garnah clapped her hands together. “I’ve embarrassed the unflappable champion! Shall we discuss your love life next? It’s all very romantic. Many forest girls fall asleep each night by imagining a champion will choose them above all others and elevate them to a life of importance and meaning.”
