Page 31 of Their Queen

“I don’t know,” I answered. Her explanation only put me further on edge.

As we descended the outer steps, I reached out to Brannoc through our mental link. “Brannoc, I need you to get the others and meet me at the gate.”

I could sense his concern immediately. “What is it?” he asked while starting to move.

“A large group is approaching the Keep,” I said simply, distracted by my arrival at the gate, other soldiers rushing up behind us.

“We’ll be right there,” he told me and then cut the connection.

I entered the small room with the narrow windows beside the gate without another word to anyone. Looking out, I could immediately see the dust kicked up by the horses, pinpointing the location of the arriving group, but it also meant the group was hidden from clear view. I could either sit here and wait for them to make the first move, or I could cut them off at the pass. Exiting the room, I nearly collided with my guys. Decided, I turned to the soldiers at the gate. “Open it.”

“Your Majesty?” they questioned, startled by the sudden demand.

“Do as your Queen orders. Open the gate,” Arryn snapped at them, spurring them into action. As soon as the gate opened, I strode out, shoulders pulled back and head high. I knew I presented a formidable image in my silver dress with my crown glinting in the fading sunlight, but I would much rather have been in something I could move in. If this came down to a fight, I wouldn’t be prepared and would have to rely solely on my magic without any weapons.

The group continued their approach, containing maybe twenty to thirty people that I could make out. Stepping outside of the shield, my men lined up behind me, all on edge and ready to take out the threat before us. I waited for the arrival of these strangers.

About twenty feet away from where I stood, the group halted, dust rushing to surround us. A gentle breeze from Baer kept it out of our faces and eyes, allowing us to keep our focus on the threat before us. As the dust settled, the group started to part to allow a figure through on a smaller horse and of smaller build than the rest. Four larger people flanked and surrounded the slender figure as they approached.

The lead rider dismounted and then removed the scarf covering her face as a bright smile lit her up from within. “We finally found you.”

I ran over to her, hugging her, my own happiness flowing through me at the sight before me. “It’s so good to see you, Charity. I was so worried about you.” I hadn’t allowed myself much time to think about her after we’d been separated after the second trial, too afraid to imagine what had happened to her because she’d been aligned with me.

She laughed, none of my fears or concerns weighing on her. “As soon as you broke out of the third trial, escaping Titania, we made our escape as well. With all the trials completed, we no longer had to stick around. Word reached us about a week ago where we’d been laying low that you were forming a resistance, and we knew we had to find you.”

“I’m glad you did, but who are all these people with you?” I asked her, still wary of the other members of the group.

She pulled back, her eyes widening in shock and amusement. “You never asked, but I assumed you knew. My father is a very wealthy merchant, high in standing with the Court. As such, he needs a large army to defend his shipments against raiders and thieves. These are his men.” She waved a hand at them.

When she did, they all dismounted and kneeled before me. “They’ve come to swear their services to you. My father was also thankful for you keeping me alive during the trials, as all of us are.” She paused to look at one of her consorts, who held a large chest. Opening it, she continued, “And this is from my father to help fund your rebellion.” Glinting in the light were hundreds, no, thousands of gold coins, more money than I had ever seen in my life.

Looking back at her, I was speechless. It seemed that even when making friends, Avalonia had been leading me. With this gift, we might actually stand a chance at defeating Titania.

Chapter Twenty One: Rhowyn

Ushering Charity inside the gate, I asked the question that had been weighing on me since seeing them approach. “How’d you find us?”

She smiled as she answered. “Well, after everything happened at the castle, Conor convinced me that it would be better if we left, so we did. We hid out with my father for a while, but it wasn’t too long before I got this feeling that we needed to be on the move.

“I told my father what was bothering me, and we both agreed that it was Avalonia urging me to join you. He sent me with the gift and his guards, thankful for all you’ve done to keep me safe. We’re both well aware that I would have died in the trials if not for you. Now it’s our turn to return the favor in any way we can.”

“But how’d you know where to go?” I inquired further, wondering if it was anything like the urge I had felt leading me here.

“Now, that’s a little more difficult to explain. Thankfully, my guys could feel it too, so they believed me. If not for that, I would have thought I was going insane.” She giggled, her blonde curls bouncing as we walked together into the Keep. “As for where to go, I just followed my gut. Literally. It felt like a rope tugging me in this direction, growing stronger and more urgent the closer we came. Does that sound crazy?”

It was my turn to laugh. “No. That’s the same way I found this place. Apparently, this is the headquarters for the rebellion, led by none other than Lady Aurelia, Callum’s sister.”

“Oh, that makes sense. By the way, we tried to pass through the villages as quietly as possible, not telling anyone where we were going, but we did manage to overhear several villagers whispering among themselves that they felt the call as well.”

“Yeah, that may have something to do with my powers and Avalonia. On my way here, I finally broke through the lock on my magic.” I emphasized that point by holding up a hand and letting electricity spark from my fingertips.

“I see that.” She beamed at me. “You’re just as beautiful as ever, by the way.”

I couldn’t hide the pleasure I felt at her compliment. Some part of me feared that my change in appearance would signal to the world that I had also changed. If anything, I was more myself than ever. My outward visage wouldn’t change that fact. “Thanks,” I told her, blushing slightly.

“As much as I would love to spend more time catching up, I have to be formally presented at dinner, hence the getup,” I said, waving a hand down my gown. “However, I’m sure we can have someone get you guys set up in a suite, where you can freshen up before joining us.”

“That would be great. As thrilling as this has been, I believe I’ll never really be the type of girl who likes roughing it.” She laughed at her own joke.

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