Page 9 of Crown of Wrath

“King Aric,” Darian says, “let me introduce Queen Maeve of the House of Earth and ruler of all of Nyth. And the Shade, whom I’m sure you have heard stories of.”

Aric glances at me, but as predicted, his eyes linger on the Shade. He’s a creature of legend, even for humans. I just look like a woman, someone easily dismissed.

“Welcome to Stormhaven,” he says without standing up. “Wine?” There’s a smile on his face, almost like he’s excited to not be the most important person in the room. I had expected an old man with nothing but seriousness in him, but King Aric looks to be in his early forties. His gray eyes still have plenty of life and laughter in them.

He’s handsome for a human. His sandy blonde hair is a little wild, and a small scar crosses his bearded cheek, long healed up. He raises his cup and nods to the pitcher of wine next to him. It’s not formal, but then again, when Kings and Queens talk, is there a reason for formality?

We sit down at the table, and Darian pours wine for the four of us. King Aric continues to glance from his wineglass to the Shade, a look of disbelief on his face. I take a sip from the golden goblet, the wine a bitter taste compared to the varieties I had in Draenyth.

The Shade doesn’t touch his, and Darian and Lee sip theirs, all our eyes on King Aric. “So, what do you want?” he finally asks. “You certainly didn’t come here to discuss interracial relations. The Fae worry about the Fae’s problems, and humans take care of human problems. We leave each other alone, and neither of us encroach on the other’s territory. That is what the treaty states, and my people certainly haven’t moved beyond our borders.”

The Shade answers, “I’m sure you’ve heard about the Immortals that have been ransacking villages on the edges of the human territories.”

King Aric nods. “I would hope that isn’t your doing.”

“It is not,” the Shade continues. “They’ll slowly move closer to the human cities as they expand their search. I’m sure you know that no human city will survive an attack by Immortals, and we’re here to offer our protection.”

Aric chuckles, a grin spreading over his face. “Your protection? The four of you against roving bands of High Fae sent from Draenyth? Two High Fae and two females? Somehow, I think you’re overestimating your abilities.”

He pauses, waiting for a response, but the Shade gives him none. “Fine,” Aric says. “Why me? Why Stormhaven? There are other cities that will be affected, other kingdoms that have been hit harder. Some are even closer to Draenyth.”

The Shade doesn’t hesitate with his answer. “Queen Maeve is originally from Blackgrove, which is a part of your territory. It’s… familiar. Prior to becoming Queen of Nyth, she was a Wyrdling, and she would prefer to work with someone she’s at least heard of.” This is something he’s far more proficient at than I’d expected. And… though I am focused on the discussion, hearing his voice and watching him control the situation has tiny wisps of shadow leaking from my fingertips.

Aric’s gaze moves to me, to the Painted Crown that shimmers in the light. Golds and browns dance across my forehead, a magical marvel that I still struggle to believe is real. He stares at me for a few moments, and I don’t turn away.

“You were a Wyrdling?” He stifles a laugh. “What, exactly, are you Queen of if not Draenyth? How can you wear a crown, yet you offer me protection from the capital of the Fae rather than simply telling these raiding parties to stop? You may claim to be a queen, but in my mind, my wife’s poodle has more claim to that title. At least she occasionally sits on a throne.”

The Shade begins to speak, but I know I have to step in here. “I am Queen of Nyth, King Aric. I wear the Painted Crown, but Draenyth was overtaken by the House of Steel before I understood my powers. Now, our numbers are too small to take back Draenyth safely.”

The Shade follows up reassuringly. “But we would have no trouble with any of the groups of Immortals that have been raiding. There is an enormous difference between protecting Stormhaven and taking Draenyth.”

King Aric is quiet as he looks between the two of us, his gaze never going to Darian or Lee. Maybe he does understand the difference between us. He picks up his goblet and takes a sip. “So you’re looking for refuge,” he finally says. “You’re who these bands of High Fae are seeking, and you think that by offering me yourprotection, you’ll have a place to stay.”

“No,” the Shade says. “We have no desire to stay in Stormhaven, nor do we have any desire to draw the House of Steel to your doorstep. But we need a favor. I need a place to put a dangerous captive where no one will interact with him. In return, I will be but a simple prayer away from you, and I am sure that we will be capable of fending off whatever Fae are terrorizing you.”

I glance at the Shade. The way he sits so still is unnerving to anyone, but to a human, he looks completely unnatural. No one can remain so still. That scent of salt and cedar is so strong that even a human can smell it.

And it tugs at something inside me. Memories. Old emotions that the Queen of Earth shouldn’t have.

Bringing the Shade rather than Cole was the right decision. He commands respect in a way that no Fae ever will. The Fae are dangerous. The Shade is legendary.

“I assume your captive is a Fae? We don’t have the guards to deal with that. We have nothing to deal with that, honestly.”

“No, you don’t. But we will help you alter a cell so that it will hold our prisoner. All we need is a bit of space and some time from your blacksmiths.”

Aric had smiled when we’d arrived, and now that smile is gone, but the shrewdness in his eyes has only grown, so when he finishes his goblet of wine, I’m not surprised that he shakes his head.

“The best way for me to protect my city and country is by staying far from any Fae conflicts. You say you can protect us from the ones who are searching for you, but I have no proof of that. Yes, we’ve all heard the legends about you, Shade, but how much of that is legend, and how much of that is truth? You can’t take your throne back, Queen Maeve, but you say you can protect mine? Somehow, I doubt that.”

He stands up as if he were going to dismiss us. “No, the best choice for my people is to stay far away from your problems. We’re not Fae, so we will hold to our centuries old agreement. The Fae deal with the Fae’s issues, and they leave humans out of their conflicts.”

The Shade glances at me. He doesn’t have any other ways to convince King Aric. He could make a showing of power, but shadows aren’t what King Aric wants to see. Shadows aren’t power in a world where castles and steel win wars.

“I am not Queen of Draenyth,LordAric.” I stand up, my armor made of interlocking stone plates moving so silently it’s like I’m wearing cloth. “I am Queen ofNyth. All of it, including Stormhaven. I wear the Painted Crown, which gives me authority over everyone and everything in this world, you included.”

I slowly raise my hand, and magic flows through me in waves. King Aric looks at me with confusion on his face, and without trying, I can sense the feelings going through his mind. Surprise. Disbelief that I would challenge his right to rule. Wonder and curiosity about what I’m doing.

I smile at him as the power building inside me rises to a crescendo. “You said you didn’t believe that we could protect you. We can. I simply refuse to destroy Draenyth to regain my Throne.”

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