Page 169 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

Her amber eyes flitted to her husband’s then to her advisors.

“There are some at our farthest borders who trade with them. It would be a crime to enter their domain, but I’m sure some do. You may walk this land freely, on one condition.”

Tharan leaned forward in his chair.

“And what’s that?”

“You bring some of my hives to your Woodlands. Let them feed and grow for a season and then I will collect them.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it,” she said.

Hopper leaned into Tharan, whispering into his ear, “They think the bees will absorb the magic of the realm and deposit it into the honey. It’s a risk, but one we might need to take.”

Tharan cleared his throat.

“Very well. I will send word to my groundskeepers.”

“Excellent.” She smiled with a mouth full of blinding white teeth. “I thought you’d agree, so I took the liberty of drawing up this.” She snapped her manicured fingers, and a servant approached carrying a royal decree on a platter. With a white gloved hand, he gently placed it in front of Tharan. “You may travel freely within the Court of Honey, your Majesty. I hope you find what you are looking for… for all our sakes.”

“Thank you, your Highness. Consider us allies.” He gazed at the letter written in big swooping letters.

“Do not say things you do not mean, King.”

“I never do.”

“Very well.” She rose, cradling her stomach once again. “I must depart for my afternoon rest. I hope you’ll try some of our court’s delicacies. The honeyed ham is one of my favorites.”

The rest of the table stood and bowed to the queen as she departed.

A servant opened a door behind them and ushered them out.

The capital of the Court of Honey was Hiveton, a quaint village with thatched-roof cottages, cobblestone streets, and, of course, a beehive in front of every house and business.

“It’s so cozy here,” Amolie said as they walked through the flower-lined streets. The smell of honey and lilac wafted in the air and a trio of flutists played in the town square.

“A far cry from Elohim, that’s for sure,” Sumac said.

The people of Hiveton seemed not to notice them. They went about their daily business, saying hello to their neighbors, and haggling with shop merchants, much like the bees they cared for. They dressed in bright colors and most of the women wore flowers in their hair.

“This must have been a nice place to grow up, Roderick,” Amolie said.

“It was. But Vantris and the Court of Storms are my homes now.”

“Anywhere we are together is my home,” Amolie said, kissing her husband on the cheek.

His face reddened.

“Everyone, enjoy your night. We’ll meet up in the morning and head north,” Tharan said.

Three days of travel through the lush lands of the Court of Honey had their bellies round with all sorts of honied treats and confections. Tharan gazed out the window of the carriage as they trotted through rolling hills of budding flowers and fruit trees.

“This is quite something,” he said to Roderick.

“Yes, this court is blessed with an abundance of resources. It is why they are so desperate to preserve it. You’ll see when we get to Honeyville what a stark contrast the Court of Screams is.”

“Lovely,” Tharan said with a sigh. His mind was elsewhere, churning over every terrible thing Erissa and Gideon could be doing to Aelia. He fiddled with the rings on his fingers to distract himself.

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