Page 44 of Their Queen

Chapter Thirty Two: Rhowyn

Holy shit! Could it all be tied together so neatly? Was the world really this small? Or had Avalonia put us all together on purpose? Somehow, I had a feeling it was Avalonia and not pure luck or chance. Or maybe that was just my wishful thinking, but no. Coincidences were rare, and they never worked out in my favor. This could only be explained by fate or, rather, Avalonia’s influence.

Just as my hopes started to soar, they crashed again as I realized that we’d left her back in the castle. Somewhere I didn’t dare return to. We had already chanced fate too many times breaking in, and I knew that going back wouldn’t work out. Not this time. “She’s still in the castle,” I spoke the obvious.

“Shit,” Lennox cursed. “Maybe Brannoc can…”

“No,” I cut him off before he could finish that thought. “No. I get the feeling that if we go back there, we’ll never get out again. We’ll have to find another solution to getting word to her,” I said, gazing down at the map as more plans started to take shape. I was hesitant to voice them after my last one had failed so utterly, but the men could help me shape it this time. This time, I would heed their advice.

“What if we did more research of these ruins? If we went in and cleared the overgrowth to see what she was looking for. Maybe there’s something left there that we can find, that we can use in the meantime,” I suggested, looking to Arryn for his thoughts.

“It’s a good idea. We can investigate the sites until we come up with a way to get the book from Juniper.” Arryn leaned into the idea. “We can separate into three teams if we pull Cyerra into the plans. One group with Rhowyn, one with Brannoc, and one with Cyerra. Each of us can check out different ruins in different territories and then reconvene to discuss what we find.”

“I want to go along,” Jonathan chimed in, eager to be of use, though I worried about his mindset. I still caught him flinching at loud noises, and when his mind wandered, he got such a haunted look, almost like he was doubting reality.

“Okay,” Arryn agreed without hesitation, turning to Jude.

My grandfather smiled at us. “I think it’s best if these old bones wait here for you. I can help you reason out whatever information you find, but my days of action are long behind me.”

“Understandable,” Callum chimed in. Turning to Arryn, he said, “I can go with Cyerra. She’s the least experienced and needs someone more highly trained to protect her should we run into something along the way. Besides, if something happened to her, Revna would skin us all alive.” He joked, though she really would kill us all if we let something happen to her daughter.

I laughed. “Sounds reasonable.”

“Baer can go with Brannoc, his air and water magic should be able to help clear the debris. Lennox, you’ll go with Rhowyn and me. No offense, my Queen, but we need more people to protect you. Jonathan, you can go with Callum and Cyerra.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Perfect, when do we want to leave? Every minute we waste here is one minute more that the bitch is rampaging across the territories,” I said, my anger at that thought rising.

“I need time to make assignments, and I’m sure Aurelia will need notification of our plans. Brannoc, how are your power levels?” Arryn asked him, studying him closely for signs that he was hiding his limits.

“I’m not full, but I have enough to get Baer and I to this village and back.” His index finger thunked against the wooden map.

“Alright. Then we’ll take Summer territory where I’m more familiar. Jonathan, do you know the Winter or Spring courts well?”

It wasn’t until he’d brought it up that I realized I still had no idea what season my father had an affinity to. Considering my magic wasn’t tied to any of the seasons, I could only guess where he was from. My gaze was glued to him as I hung on his answer, for this hint of my history. “Considering I’m originally a Winter fae, then I’d rather take that territory, although it is the furthest.” As if sensing my need for more, he met my eyes. “Your mother was from Spring.”

I nodded with a smile, tears welling up at the thought. A part of my heritage was no longer a mystery. Maybe one of these days, I wouldn’t have to wonder about these things. One day, I might just be able to sit down and learn more about my parents from before their ties to the rebellion. I had never thought that I would be so invested in knowing them more, but here I was, hungry for every tidbit they could give me.

“Now that that’s settled, Brannoc, you should try to get some more rest to restore more of your magic. Callum, you can get Cyerra and explain our plans. I’m going to make assignments and prepare what we’ll need,” Arryn commanded before turning to me. He leaned down and kissed the tip of my nose, his hands going to my shoulders. “And you, my Queen, should eat and try to get more sleep. You were up most of the night.”

“Come on.” Baer, Lennox, and Brannoc urged me to follow. “We’ll have them deliver us some food to our room. Then we can all get some more sleep,” Baer said, his good hand finding my waist as he started leading me away.

I smiled up at him. “Anything you say, sunshine.” A weight had been lifted from my shoulders now that we had a direction, some hope that we could determine Titania’s goals. I trusted Arryn to get everything ready for us, so instead of fretting over the things I couldn’t control, I decided to lean into Baer, my head resting on his arm as we walked back to our room.

Lennox’s hand tangled with mine as we walked, all of us taking up the entire hallway, but thankfully, we didn’t come across anyone during our trek. I hated making others move out of my way because I was too selfish to let my consorts go. Right now, I wanted them with me.

Brannoc had separated to find the kitchens and have them send some food up for us. Once inside the door, Baer pushed me back against the wall, kissing me deeply. Then it was Lennox’s turn to claim my mouth, a way to convey our connection and love in this moment. For once, we were all too tired for anything to devolve from that simple caress.

The door swung open as Lennox pulled away. “Perfect timing,” I said as Brannoc entered with a tray of food.” As he set it down on our small table in the room, I leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you, my love.”

“Anything for you, mate,” I beamed at him and his affection, sitting down to shove my face full of food, only just realizing that I hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning, and I was starving. We put away the food in record time. Leaning back, I groaned, patting my stomach and yawning.

“Time to put you to bed, Princess,” Lennox prompted, swooping in and lifting me from the chair before depositing me gently on the mattress. Brannoc lay down beside me, his hand threading through my hair in a soothing motion. Baer laid down between my legs, his head resting on my stomach, hugging my hips like a pillow. Surrounded by their warmth and affection, I drifted off to sleep. This time, the nightmares stayed away, and I slept peacefully.

Chapter Thirty Three: Callum

Just after noon, after waking Rhowyn and the others, all the preparations had been made. I’d hoped that they would get more sleep, but we needed to move on this quickly. Arryn handed out packs to us with supplies as we gathered, and I strapped on as many weapons as I dared. There was no telling what we’d run across, and I was responsible for two people that Rhowyn cared deeply for. I had to be prepared for everything.

Satisfied that we had done all we could, we had each been swept up by the Ravens to our destinations. Cyerra had been assigned to take Jonathan and me to Iria, one of the villages that seemed to be the root of the rot that was spreading throughout our land. Because of Jonathan’s knowledge of the Winter territory, we had been assigned the furthest destination. The others wouldn’t have as far to travel, but after a night of camping, we should arrive first thing in the morning.

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