Page 41 of Lady of Ashes

He waited expectantly for her answer, and she had never felt more like a child. She had never felt so in over her head. Azrael was always with her for these types of discussions. She may have been on her throne for decades, but political power plays and politics amongst the territories were still something for which she relied heavily upon the Earth Prince. She had not anticipated the conversation going this way. She had merely wanted information on Avonleya. Now she appeared to be a queen who didn’t completely grasp her world’s own history.

None of those insecurities were allowed to play across her features, though. The cold mask of indifference Azrael had taught her to carefully craft stayed ?xed in place as she met the Alpha’s stare once more. She picked up her chalice, taking a long sip before saying, “There is a possibility that the new queen and I may have the opportunity to lift the magic keeping the Avonleyans sequestered.” Stellan’s eyes widened at that information, but Talwyn pressed forward before he could say anything in response. “As a fellow ruler, I am simply curious as to your opinion of the kingdom and its inhabitants. The war they incited seems pointless when studying history. Do we free a country that could incite such a thing again?”

“Do you punish the children for the sins of the fathers?” Stellan countered.

“They are as immortal as you and I are,” Talwyn argued. “You were alive during that war. Surely, a good number of those who survived the war still live. I would even wager their king and queen still live and rule. Who is to say they have not spent those centuries plotting revenge?”

“Who is to say the daughter of a slaughtered Fae Queen has not done the same in her decades of life?” Stellan asked, his brows arching in knowing.

Talwyn pressed her tongue to her cheek.

Stellan pushed his plate back, leaning forward and bracing his muscled forearms on the table. Sariah and Ilyas hadn’t said a word during this entire exchange, but both of the Shifters had stopped eating, watching it all with interest.

“You are young, your Majesty,” Stellan began.

“Do not patronize me, Stellan,” Talwyn interrupted, her tone laced with warning.

“Ask me what you wish to know, then. Quit dancing around it,” he challenged.

“If the Avonleyans would be freed, would your loyalty reside with them, or would it remain with the Fae?” Talwyn asked.

“They were on the same side. Why would I be required to choose?” Stellan replied, maintaining his piercing stare.

“You are required to answer the question,” she snapped.

“Are you planning to be at odds with them, that you require such an answer from me?” he asked, ignoring her command.

Talwyn pushed her chair back from the table, the wood scraping against the stone ?oor as she got to her feet. Ilyas was on his feetat the same moment, but Sariah simply swirled her chalice once more, her golden eyes ?xed on Talwyn. Stellan didn’t move, just stared at the queen. “Thank you for dinner,” Talwyn ground out. “I will send word when I receive updates from Prince Luan.”

She needed to get out of here before she did something that would put further strain on her relationship with the Shifters. If she were going to go up against Avonleya, she would need their support. She would come back and discuss this with Azrael at her side. She would come back when Arianna was home and when Stellan wasn’t so on edge.

She turned and began walking to the terrace, preparing to Travel as soon as she was outside, but she paused when Stellan called out to her.

“Queen Talwyn.”

She glanced back over her shoulder, lightning ?ashing across the darkening sky.

“You would do well to remember that your own gifts come from the Avonleyans. What was given can be taken away,” Stellan said stoically, still bracing himself on his forearms.

“Perhaps you should take your own advice, considering the Fae granted you your gifts,” Talwyn shot back with a sneer.

“The Fae may have deemed us worthy of such power, but they did not bestow it upon us. They do not hold that kind of power.”

She turned back to face him fully. “Explain.”

He stood now, striding to the archway he had come from before dinner. “You were on your way out, your Majesty. Perhaps another time. I look forward to your updates on my sister. Good evening.”

“Stellan!” she snarled, the ground shuddering, the dishes of un?nished food on the table rattling. She took a step towards him, but she didn’t get any father as a jaguar leapt over the table, landing between her and the Alpha, a warning growl rumbling from the feline.

Talwyn stood and watched as, for the second time in the same day, one of her closest allies walked away from her.

She stepped through a rip in the world, feeling more isolated than ever before.

All of this over a locked away kingdom that stole everything from her. All of this over Avonleya.

CHAPTER 12

SCARLETT

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