Page 5 of A Shattered Kingdom of Steel

At High Keep, I continue to prove myself again and again. Each time I get back up after a fight, I prove myself a warrior. Back home, in Illnamoor, I’ve never been able to do that. I’ve never been able to win my mother’s favor. I’ve never been able to follow in her footsteps.

As a diplomat, I’ll fail.

Closing my eyes, I attempt to banish the image of the inevitable disappointment on my mother’s face. The phantom sting of it lingers on my cheeks, and it makes me feel like a child again.

I’m not the one for this. Gods above, I can’t be.

“What of Myrdin?” I ask, grasping for any excuse I can think of. “He’ll be terribly bored while I’m gone.”

“Myrdin’s already agreed to represent us in Redbourne,” Viridian says.

Opening my eyes, I curse under my breath. Of course, he has. Unlike me, Myrdin was born for this. Easy-going and light-hearted, he’s adept at navigating social situations. If there was anyone who could convince even the stubbornest noble fae to see reason, it would be Myrdin. He’s the clear choice for a diplomat to act on Cryssa and Viridian’s behalf. Besides, he’d much rather be in Redbourne, the Copper Court’s capital, and his home city. As much as he enjoys his time here in Keuron, he’d always choose Redbourne if given the option.

“Please, Lymseia,” Viridian says, desperation bleeding through his words. “Consider it, at the very least.”

“I am considering it,” I tell him through gritted teeth.

Cryssa touches her palm to his forearm and gives it a light, comforting squeeze. He turns his face to hers, meeting her eyes.

Gods be damned.

I can’t believe I’m actually going to do this.

But I can’t find it in myself to deny them. No matter how much I want to dig my heels into the stone and hold my ground.

“Fine,” I grumble. “I’ll do it. I’ll go to Illnamoor on your behalf.” Quickly, I add, “But I’m not going anywhere until my position is filled.”

“Very well.” Viridian—and Cryssa—sigh in relief. His eyes meet mine, shining with genuine gratitude. “Thank you.”

“Yes, yes, whatever.” I wave him off. “Don’t thank me until I return. There’s still time for you to regret appointing me as your representative.”

Viridian gives me a look like I’ve said something far-fetched. “There’s no one more capable for this position than you, Lymseia.”

I swallow.

“Tell us immediately once you’ve chosen your successor,” Viridian says, an air of authority coloring his words.

“Of course,” I reply with a bow of my head. “I won’t spare a moment.”

That seems to appease him. “Good.” His expression softens. “Thank you, again, Lymseia. You have no idea how much you’ve done for us already.”

I only nod and take a deep breath. He looks so sincere, so reassured, that I can’t bring myself to tell him that his faith in me is gravely misplaced. Sending me to Illnamoor, trusting me to make alliances on his and Cryssa’s behalf, will not bring peace to the realm.

If anything, my failure will become the very blade that shatters the kingdom.

Chapter Two

A FEW DAYS LATER—Nemos’s Pass, approaching the Steel Court’s Border

Waking up in a pool of blood isn’t how I imagined starting my morning.

Yet here I am.

If I’d have just ridden my horse with the guards—like I wanted to, all along—then I wouldn’t be in this predicament. No, I’d have sensed the ambush, and ambushed whoever was so bold as to attack us before the attacker even had the chance to strike.

But no. Viridian, damn him, had insisted that I take a carriage. Typical male behavior. And then, in the luxurious cabin, with plush cushions beneath my rear, I’d gone and fallen asleep.

Asleep.

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