Page 70 of A Shattered Kingdom of Steel

Banishing the worrisome thoughts from my mind, I direct my focus to my surroundings. With a compact hearth at the center of the main room, a small wooden table, and a few chairs, Arella’s cottage is just as cozy on the inside as it is from the outside.

“Thank you for agreeing to speak with us,” I tell Arella, and I mean it. Without her, we’d be searching aimlessly.

“Of course, Cap—my lady.” With a timid, submissive air about her, she dips her head to me in acknowledgment, as if I’m still the Captain of the High King’s Guard, and she, a servant.

“There’s no need for formalities,” I say, a warm smile at my lips. “We’re not at High Keep any longer, nor do we hold our former roles.” I gesture to the walls surrounding us. “This is your home. You’re in charge here.”

Though only slightly, Arella’s shoulders loosen. “You’re right.” Waving a hand to the table and chairs, she says, “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

Asheros and I sit in the two chairs across from Arella, while Kheldryn sits beside her, leaning forward with motherly concern apparent in her demeanor. With the four chairs occupied, Ronan, Savell, and Orim stand by the table while Gryska plops herself onto the floor in between the three of them, sitting with her legs crossed.

“Before we begin,” Asheros says, his tone gentle, “I’d like for us to introduce ourselves, if that’s all right with you?”

Eyes sweeping the room, Arella nods. “That would be nice.”

Asheros flashes her a smile. Had I not been sitting beside him, my knees would have weakened. “My name is Asheros, and these are my companions. Kheldryn, Savell, Ronan, Gryska, and Orim.”

Each gives a little wave when Asheros says their name. All but Savell, who merely makes a subtle motion of his head. Arella’s gaze brightens when she finally turns to Orim, the warmth of his smile seeming to ease the chill of her fear.

My gaze locks with Asheros’s, and I offer him a small smile to convey my thanks. He dips his head to me with the kind of reverence a soldier offers their leader.

“Tell us your story,” I say to Arella. “What happened the night High King Vorr was killed?”

“I…” Wrapping her arms around herself, Arella takes a breath. “I couldn’t sleep. I’d been so busy with my chores that I’d missed dinner.” She swallows. “In the middle of the night, I got out of bed and slipped into the kitchens for some bread.”

Asheros nods while she speaks, encouraging her to continue without using words.

“I was heading back up to my room when—” Color drains from Arella’s face.

“It’s all right,” Kheldryn says softly. “You’re safe, now.”

“Nothing will hurt you as long as we’re here,” I promise. “You have my word.”

“And mine,” Asheros echoes, taking my hand in his.

Warmth blooms in my chest, flushing my cheeks. I keep my eyes trained on Arella, but I can feel Asheros’s attention shift to me.

“When I came upstairs, I saw a fae male dragging… something out of the East Tower.”

My eyes widen.

Since the death of Viridian’s mother, the late High Queen Azalinah, Vorr commanded no one enter the East Tower save for himself or his private guard. That command meant that even I couldn’t step foot into that wing despite my position as captain of his guard.

“Then…” Arella hesitates, pressing her hand to her mouth. “Out of nowhere, the male had wings.”

My blood runs cold.

“Wings?” Savell leans forward, mouth parted with the shock we all must feel. I’ve never heard of anyone, fae or human, who could magically evoke wings.

How is such a thing even possible?

None of the five precious metals from Inatia’s Courts are capable of such a thing. And as far as I’m aware, channeling the magical qualities of the metals is the only way to use magic.

But clearly, that’s not true.

Silence hangs around us, heavy and cold.

A fae with the ability to bring forth wings…

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