Page 56 of The Throne's Undoing

Terin shifted on his feet uncomfortably.

Cetia snapped her fingers. "Laura and Galia, take them to the infirmary, then place the princess in a holding cell."

Graeson clutched Kalisandre closer to his chest as two warriors stepped out of the line. "You will not touch her."

"Do not forget, child, that this is my queendom. I do not care who, orwhat, you are," Cetia commanded, her words quiet but authoritative.

Ellie placed a hand on Graeson's shoulder, with a look urging him to stay quiet.

Reluctantly, he did. But this conversation was far from over. Still, when the warriors reached for Kalisandre, he was slow to give them her. His unease was only marginally settled when Terin nodded at Graeson, silently promising to watch over Kalisandre. Graeson watched Kalisandre's limp body all the way to the castle's main doors, longing to go with her.

Ellie squeezed his shoulder, beckoning him to stay, before letting it drop.

The queen descended the rest of the steps, her heels rapping against the stone, two guards following. As Cetia reached thebottom, the guards faltered as Nyrri's claws scratched the cobbles below.

"Your Majesty," one guard said, a hand near the queen's arm, "the creature--"

"Thecreature," Cetia snapped, turning her head to the side, "has a name. Does it not, Medenia?"

"Her name is Nyrri," Medenia said, joining the queen. She wrapped an arm around her mother's arm and guided the queen forward.

Nyrri shifted as the women approached, and metal screeched as a warrior drew her sword, the sound ripping through the courtyard.

A low rumble vibrated in Nyrri's throat, and Graeson snapped his head in her direction. The dragon-wolf's eyes darkened, the red nearly snuffing out as her pupils enlarged.

Her top lip curled, revealing sharp, yellow canines.

"Put your sword away, Fallon," Medenia scolded.

"But, Your Highness..." the warrior who had pulled out her sword began to say before the queen interrupted.

"Fallon," Cetia warned, pausing her approach. "That was an order."

Fumbling an apology, Fallon returned her sword to its sheath and stepped back into line. Her fingers, however, still flexed over the hilt. As did a few of the other warriors, Graeson noticed.

"Mother, it is safe," Medenia assured. "Nyrri has not hurt any of us."

Ellie cleared her throat, her hands folded behind her back. "Do not paint a lie with misguided truths simply because you are fond of the creature, Medenia. While Nyrri has not hurt one ofus, we would be remiss if we did not relay the entire truth. She is dangerous, Your Majesty, deadly even. She mauled several soldiers we encountered on the outskirts of Frenzia."

"Is this true?" Cetia asked.

Medenia sighed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Yet you all have remained unharmed?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," she repeated.

"Now,thatis peculiar. Do you have any theories, Medenia?"

Medenia straightened, pride coloring her face. "Many animals can smell fear and anger. The same goes for Nyrri but at a more heightened level. Nyrri is well-attuned to humans' intentions."

Cetia hummed in acknowledgment before slipping her arm out of Medenia's and taking a step forward. Then, slowly and carefully, the queen reached out a hand.

Nyrri's wings flared out, and a gust of wind blew back the queen's raven-black hair. Movement flickered down the line of warriors, a couple of women stepping forward. Cetia, however, held up a hand, halting the guards' approach.

Graeson watched with curiosity as Nyrri leaned forward, her long snout nearing the queen's hand. The creature sniffed, nostrils flaring. And for a moment, time stilled.

Then, Cetia lifted her hand and felt for the creature's nose. "What did you say Nyrri is exactly?"

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