Page 85 of Claws of Death

Andraya was more cautious when she travelled with us in the fairylands, but this is her new home, and I can see how she doesn’t fear any of us in here. We are allies in the truest of senses.

“We would have visited sooner, but there’s been quite some drama going on in Askarea,” Tori says with an unreadable expression on his face.

“So I’ve heard.” Andraya’s eyes catch on the scar on Tata’s neck before meeting the general’s. “The Fire Fairies seem to have fully aligned with Erina’s plans.”

“With those of the traitor Crow is more like it,” Silas corrects, earning a nod from Royad and Clio. “Have you heard anything about Ephegos’s whereabouts?”

Andraya considers the warrior for a long moment, wringing her hands in front of her as if his dark, piercing gaze makes her uncomfortable. “According to our spies, he hasn’t left the palace in Meer where he keeps assisting Erina as his new general with his war strategies.”

I can’t suppress a shudder. It’s better knowing where he is than wondering, but a part of me had hoped he’d disappeared for good. “And Erina? Is he in Meer?”

“Supposedly.” Andraya faces me, but her eyes keep darting back to Silas as if he’s the danger. Hecanbe a disquieting presence, I admit, but he’s been so much more digestible lately. “We withdrew the last of our spies from the palace a week ago. It’s become too dangerous to keep a foothold there with everything going on. With Pouly’s disappearance from Meer around the same time the rightful Queen of Tavras fled, people have started asking questions. Exposure would be the end of our movement, and we’ve worked so hard to get where we are today.”

“Where is that?” Myron’s tone is dry, not unfriendly, but not welcoming either as he seems to draw the answer from Andraya’s mind by sheer will.

The lady holds her own, setting down both hands on the rough wood of the table. “We are a rogue army in a kingdomof tyrants. We have a queen we want to see on our throne and a cause to live for. We won’t risk Queen Wolayna’s rule, so we do what we must to be her eyes and ears in this kingdom. And when the time comes, we’ll pick up our weapons and fight to save her kingdom.”

Every last one of her words reverberates with conviction. Even Myron must feel it because he inclines his head at the woman, asking no further questions, but deep down in my soul, I wonder if I might disappoint them one day if I can’t become the queen they are hoping for.

No one speaks until the door flies open, and in strides Pouly, dressed in leathers and a rabbit dangling from each of his hands. “I brought dinner.” One look and he finds me at the overfull table. “Queen Ayna.” He dips his chin before breaking into a broad smile that makes his mildly lined face look younger. He opens his arms wide, and I hop up to step into his embrace.

“Good to see you, Pouly.”

He picks me up and spins me around, rabbits still dangling from his hands. “Good to see you, Queen Ayna.”

From the corner of my eye, I notice Myron shift in his seat and Clio reach for her weapon. I roll my eyes at them and step out of the embrace the moment Pouly sets me down.

“You didn’t believe I wouldn’t come to pay my respects to our queen.” He directs his words at Myron, the friendliness still fiercely in place. “We haven’t been working to find her for generations only to fail her the first time she needs our help.”

“And we appreciate your help,” Kaira says before I can respond with the same words.

Beside her, Myron relaxes a bit, and Clio lifts her hand from her sword.

Ayna

We sitaround the dinner table an hour later. Silas offered to help skin and prepare the rabbits. Kaira, with my help, boiled the water for the stew, and Clio and Tori headed out to the back garden to grab the herbs Andraya promised they’d find behind the adjacent stables. The scent of rosemary and sage fills the air, reminding me of simpler times.

It’s oddly comforting, how we have all settled into this human home so easily. Erina can’t reach us here. Neither can Ephegos. The Flames are the last ones to suspect a thing about a secret organization supportingmy claim to the throne of Tavras, so we could perhaps stay here and forget the world—were it not for the mission we are on.

I stir my second helping of stew, searching for carrots and potatoes in the mix, savoring the spot where my thigh touches Myron’s, and my mind wanders to the oceans in the east beyond which his home lies.

“As requested, we’ve been tracking the caravan for the past few days. Our spies have been following it through the villages. So far, there haven’t been any interruptions. No unexpected detours or long pauses,” Pouly reports. “The caravan passed this village a few hours ago and will be entering the plains soon.”

“How many men are traveling with it?” Myron requests. He has been quiet, listening and observing, his presence steady by my side as we eat.

“About ten foot soldiers per wagon and four guards on horse when we last had eyes on them, but another rebel reported that he spotted more soldiers arriving from the west. It’s possible they are bolstering their guards as they leave the settled area.” Pouly takes a spoonful of stew, considering. “That’s at least forty-five foot soldiers and twelve cavalry. That isn’t a problem for you, is it?”

The look of outrage Tori gives him is almost comical.

“Not if they’re human soldiers,” Myron responds before someone can say something that will ignite a discussion nobody needs right now. “Let’s hope Erina didn’t send along the traitor Crows or the Flames.”

“I guess you’ll need to wait until the attack to find out,” Pouly says, chewing, and my stomach tightens squeamishlyat the thought of going in so unprepared. “No one has reported on the shape of their ears. Apparently, they are wearing armor on their heads that hides that feature.”

“Smart move.” Should it be concerning that Tori sounds impressed?

Tata reaches for the wooden board with sliced bread, offering a piece to Myron and me before picking up one of her own. “Whatever we find, we’ll handle it when we get there.”

“If they have magic, the handling will take a little longer,” Silas adds, but he doesn’t disagree.

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