Page 203 of The Iron Flower

As we all listen to the calming melody, the child grows quieter and quieter, then completely silent. Alcippe stands for a moment longer, rocking the little girl gently, then slowly walks across the plaza and up to the queen, kneeling down on one knee before her.

Queen Alkaia sets her gaze favorably on Alcippe.

“I have named the child Pyrgomanche, My Queen,” Alcippe announces with some formality. “Pyrgo for short.”

“Ah, yes.” The queen nods approvingly. “It suits her well. ‘Fiery Warrior.’ A good choice, Alcippe. A strong name for a strong child. She will be a great warrior someday. She will make us all proud.”

“I will take this child under my protection,” Alcippe goes on to say with firm resolve.

The queen tilts her head in respectful acknowledgment, and Alcippe rises and carries the child off across the plaza and toward the Queenhall.

I look to Queen Alkaia, full of conflict over having argued with her. “Thank you,” I say to her, my voice catching. “Thank you for helping the child. And for sheltering my friend, Wynter Eirllyn...and for freeing all of the Selkies.”

The queen’s mouth twitches as if she’s fighting off a smile, amusement twinkling in her savvy green eyes. “I will not say goodbye to you, Elloren Gardner. For I feel certain you will be back in a few weeks, perhaps, with a few rescued Kelpies or even a couple of liberated pit dragons.”

Her smile fades, and she fixes me with an expression touched with what looks like affection. “Or, perhaps,” she goes on, more seriously, “you will let go of your attachment to the male and join us. We would welcome you gladly.”

I’m shocked by her offer.

What would it be like to learn to be a warrior? To be the strong one for once, perpetually backed up by a whole army of female warriors? To learn to use weapons? To wear clothing I could move more freely in? To be free of all the Gardnerian rules?

It’s an astonishing, mind-altering idea.

But I wouldn’t be allowed to be with Uncle Edwin. Or Yvan, or my brothers or Gareth...or any of the other good and kind men in my life.

No, I think to myself, with a twinge of regret.Icould never leave them behind forever.

Queen Alkaia seems to read my mind. She frowns at me, but then her expression becomes resigned, and she waves her hand dismissively. “Go, then, Elloren Gardner. Go back to your male. And may the Goddess protect you. Ride with Valasca.” She waves the commander of her Queen’s Guard forward, and Valasca flashes me a look of solidarity. “She will bring you to him.”

Valasca grabs her horse’s mane and leaps astride. She rides over to me and holds out her hand. I grab hold of it and pull myself up behind her, sliding my arms around her waist. She squeezes my hand warmly.

“Goodbye, Wynter,” I say, looking down at my friend. Wynter’s wings are drawn in tight around herself, her eyes full of sorrow. “I’ll visit you when I can.”

Wynter nods, and before I can say anything more, Valasca and I are off, riding toward the border.

* * *

We find Yvan just where they said he’d be, near the edge of Amaz territory, just past the border’s rune-wall. His guards nod to Valasca as we approach, and she helps me dismount.

“I’ll be in touch,” I tell Valasca before I release her hand.

“I will, as well,” she promises, her expression grave.

The Amaz take their leave, and Valasca shoots me one last look before she disappears into the forest, the crimson border runes fading as they depart.

Yvan and I stand alone in the darkness.

I don’t know what to say, so I just remain there facing him, Ariel’s face stark in my mind. Yvan looks haggard and drawn as he leans back against a tree, his expression devastated.

“Yvan,” I breathe out, shaking my head in sorrow.

It’s all there is to say. How can anyone put into words all that’s happened, the immensity of the evil we’re up against?

“We failed her,” he says in a rough whisper.

We were too slow. Too powerless. Too late.

I can’t speak, so I just nod in response, tears stinging at my swollen eyes.

---