Page 49 of The Cursed Crown

Something told her that this wasn't to be taken lightly. Dismissing him would affect them both for much time to come. How, she didn't want to know. "No."

"Well, then. To the Wilderness."

Khal located Queen Sura in a music room, two floors above the living quarters. He came to escort them back, and catching the tension between Teoran and Rissa, he did so in an uncomfortable silence.

The queen was seated among a flock of lord and ladies, listening to a lone singer's tender, lamenting story of heartbreak that ended in disaster.

When Rissa entered, Sura got to her feet, gesturing the company to continue their entertainment.

They walked together to a small chamber adjacent to the music room, a library filled with books on every wall, from floor to ceiling.

"I'd like to thank you for your hospitality, Sura," she said, choosing to follow Khal's advice as to how to address the illustrious personage.

The queen wasn't fooled. "And you'd like to order me about, too," she guessed, one eyebrow crooked.

Rissa bit her lip.

"Go on. Give it a go," Sura said encouragingly. "I'm sure you'll do fine."

"I believe it's in all our interest for you and your court to head south. You can take care of yourself, that much is clear. But if the entire kingdom falls, and you're surrounded by enemies on all fronts, you'll be destroyed all the same. I don't want you to be the last to fall. I'd have you come back and thrive, after we put this invasion behind us."

Sura perused every inch of Rissa, before breaking into a smile. "Now, that wasn't that bad, was it?"

Rissa winced. "I didn't like it."

"Good." Sura nodded. "A high queen shouldn't be too fond of power. If you keep the leash too tight, the dogs may just turn around and bite. I'll go south as you demand, but let us be clear. I will not answer to that unseelie boy, regardless of whether you two share a bed."

Rissa's cheek flamed. Rumors had traveled at the speed of light. "I don't expect you to obey Rydekar in all things, but I will have you support him in his endeavor to keep our kingdoms safe. Can you do that?"

The Bone Queen chuckled. "So long as everything he says agrees with my way of seeing things, I don't see why not."

Rissa smirked. "Sounds good to me."

Rydekar was going tohateher.

Sinuous

Asea of twisted trees expanded as far as the eyes could see, though waves of hills and mountains. From the height of Peak Treas, at the edge of the Autumn Court territory and the Wilderness, they could survey almost all of the land.

"It's beautiful." She'd never seen a forest so abundant and richly filled with life. It resonated deep inside her.

"And insanely dangerous," Teoran quipped.

Rissa knew better than to offer for him to stay behind again. He'd truly been offended the previous day.

After a long ride, with only two breaks for the sake of the horses, they'd reached the edge of the Wilderness last night and elected to stay in a hunting lodge that belonged to Teoran's family. Unused in winter, it had been cold and empty, but it had a roof and enough wood to build fires. First thing in the morning, they'd journeyed farther north. This was their first view of the Wilderness. Rissa didn't need to ask why it was called that now. The dense conglomeration of trees, and endless planes were undisturbed by any building. Men and folk alike had left this land intact.

Rissa realized this was all appearances. The Wilderness was home to some of the most powerful of the folk; they simply preferred to remain closer to nature. The courtless—shy folk, wild folk, and the fire-breathers of Anondarth called these lands their own.

"Ready?"

Was she?

This place was home to someone else. Her mother. The woman who'd brought her to her father's doorstep and left her without turning back.

Nightmares weren't known as the mothering sort. She didn’t take it personally, but what if they met here? Would she recognize her? Would she care?

Rissa chastised herself for even sparing it a thought. "As I'll ever be."

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