Page 81 of Calling of the Crown

Rune rested his forearms on the table and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It’s a long shot, but it may be the only option left. It wouldn’t be the first time she aided your family. Maybe she’ll intervene again.”

Jesiah immediately inhaled sharply, and he leaned forward to stare at Rune with wide eyes. “You mean Queen Muna?”

Angus chuckled humorlessly and shook his head. “You can’t be serious. Queen Muna would never help with a matter like this.”

Queen Muna was a name I’d only heard a handful of times, yet I knew exactly who they were referencing. Queen Muna, the Queen of the entire Fae realm. We all answered to her, even King Elias and me. She’d been the one to lock my powers away before my mom and dad hid me, which meant maybe she could do something to help now, too. Maybe I could convince her to put a stop to the war, an order not even Elias could refuse.

Hope swelled within my chest, and I said in a rush, “We won’t know unless we try. I, for one, am willing to do anything if it means saving everyone. Let’s give it a shot. Let’s call upon the Queen of us all.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

“WE’RE NEARLY THERE,” JESIAH CALLED from up ahead.

As soon as I’d made my decision to seek out Queen Muna’s help, a small entourage and I had packed up, reloaded the horses, and set back on the road. We didn’t want to appear threatening by showing up at Queen Muna’s doorstep with large numbers, so it was only me, Rune, Dallas, Rance, and Jesiah traveling. Queen Muna’s Kingdom was a two-day trip by horse from Morardia, and I was secretly glad to be free of Angus’s presence for that amount of time. I’d probably have blown a gasket by now if I’d had to deal with him for two straight days.

He, along with Imani, stayed behind to make preparations for battle, should it come to that. My stomach soured at the idea, and it just fortified my determination to see Queen Muna and find another way.

I looked around at the single trail through the Lylora Woods that we’d been traveling these past days. “If we’re close, we should probably stop here to get ready,” I said to Jesiah from the horse I shared with Rune, which was sandwiched between everyone else.

“Good idea,” Jesiah agreed, tugging on the reins of his steed.

All of our horses followed suit, slowing and allowing us to dismount. Rune helped me down, and as soon as my feet touched the ground, my entire body throbbed. My butt and back ached fiercely from the long ride, and I practically waddled after Rune as we disappeared behind a thicket of trees to change.

We’d all worn comfy clothes for the trip, but there was no way we were going to face the Queen in sweatpants and t-shirts. So, we’d all brought our nicest garments to change into once we were close enough to her Kingdom.

“I’m so nervous,” I said once Rune and I were alone. I slipped off my shirt and leggings and tossed them into my travel bag. “I can’t leave here without her help. I can’t let Elias win.”

Rune shed his clothes until he, too, wore only his undergarments. He grunted in agreement, his eyes fixed on the soil under his now bare feet. I watched him closely as I summoned water from a nearby creek and used it to clean us both. Rune stood there, still staring at nothing while the water wrapped around his figure like a second skin and washed away the grime from the past two days.

If only it could wash away his troubles, too.

Ever since the day we’d met with Elias, Rune had been off. Quiet. Distant. I knew it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with Myra. He still hadn’t revealed what they’d talked about, but there hadn’t been many opportunities for us to discuss it yet. We’d had an audience ever since the ordeal.

“All done,” I announced as the water peeled away from him, finding its way back home.

He mumbled a soft, “Thanks” before grabbing his clothes.

We’d brought the outfits we’d gotten married in since they were some of our finest.

“Rune,” I tried, closing the space between us.

He finally looked at me, securing his pants as he did.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked slowly. “What happened with Myra?”

His shoulders stiffened, and he swallowed hard. I waited, watching as his jaw worked to make words that seemed to be fighting him.

He closed his eyes and finally snarled, “She wishes we were dead. All of us. Me, Alvaro, the twins. She said we were all mistakes.” He raked his hands through his hair and barreled on, “If she wants to say that shit about me, fine. But Newt and Greshim, they … they don’t deserve that. Do you know how often they ask about her, even after everything she’s put them through? They think she’s going to come around and join our side. I don’t have the heart to tell them that their mother wants nothing to do with them. With any of us.”

My chest tightened painfully. She had gotten in his head, ripping his emotions to shreds, and I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t stand how she continued to torment him and the boys.

“She’s upholding the Beckett name,” Rune scoffed bitterly. “Acting as the right-hand soldier for the King. Taking on the role my dad played for King Zair. So, if we really do have that final battle, she’ll be there on the other side, ready to … to …”

I gripped Rune’s arms tightly. “That’s why we’re doing this. That’s why we’re going to seek Queen Muna’s help. If anyone can keep a battle from happening, it’s her.”

“But what if she doesn’t?” Rune asked, his eyes and voice seeming desperate. “I know this was my idea, but what if she won’t get involved?”

I swallowed hard. “That’s a bridge we’ll have to cross when we get there. Until then, I’m not letting go of hope.”

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