Page 95 of Lady for Embers

“To what do we owe the insistence of a meeting?” Stellan asked after taking a long drink from his chalice.

“I will not insult your intelligence if you will do me the same courtesy,” Talwyn returned, her ?ngers tightening around the chalice she held. “Then I suggest your puppet keeps his mouth shut for the duration of this conversation,” Arianna replied lazily, swirling the liquid in her chalice. “Seeing as I have already been insulted by his words once since your arrival.”

“Is that so?” Stellan growled, a deep rumble sounding from his chest as his olive eyes glared daggers at Tarek.

“It will not happen again,” Talwyn answered quickly. “He does not understand how things have changed in the last decade. He does not know what kind of alliance we now have.”

Arianna’s brow quirked up, her lips tilting into a small, amused smirk. “An alliance? Is that what you think we had, your Majesty?”

“Yes,” Talwyn answered, lifting her chin.

“Interesting,” Arianna said, her chin coming to rest on a manicured hand. “Apparently we recall things differently. Brother?”

Godsdamnit. The last time she had seen the Shifter siblings, they’d been squabbling about Arianna going with Sorin to the mortal lands without Stellan’s knowledge. They had clearly made up, and the siblings, as a united front, were a formidable pair. Even when they had been under more of her control, she had proceeded with caution with them, always tried to stay on their good side. She had always known they would be invaluable when it came to getting revenge on Avonleya, and now that the time had come, she found all the effort wasted unless she could get them to reconsider.

“I recall being secluded and contained behind wards, called upon when needed to further others’ agendas,” Stellan answered, his body rigid despite the release he’d just experienced.

“We recall things differently then,” Talwyn replied, resisting the urge to curl her ?ngers into ?sts at her sides. “I had no part in the creation of the wards that bound you to these lands, butI ­corresponded with you often, sometimes for business and sometimes for pleasure.”

The siblings fell silent, olive eyes watching her intently.

“And what do you desire from us now?” Stellan ?nally asked.

“Your aid in the coming war with Avonleya.”

A laugh fell from Arianna’s lips. “You wish us to aid you against the one who gave us freedom?”

“Did you forget the ones who trapped you in the ?rst place?” Talwyn demanded.

The small smirk formed on Arianna’s lips again. “Of course not, your Majesty. Did you forget we fought in that war centuries ago?”

“No.”

“Were you there?”

“No,” Talwyn answered again.

“So one could then conclude that my recollection of events is likely more accurate than the ones you have read, yes?”

Talwyn’s lips pursed, and she struggled to push down the power clawing to be released as her irritation rose. She cleared her throat. “Yes, I would imagine that would be the case.”

“Then let me tell you what I recall, hmm?” Arianna’s arm fell, both hands curling around the ends of the chair she sat in. She leaned forward slightly, braids sliding over her shoulder. “We were forced behind those wards by the very people you have aligned yourself with, and now you are asking us to side with those who imprisoned us? Us. The Shifters. Who favor Temural, god of the untamed and wild. Those you now align yourself withcagedus, your Majesty. Did I leave anything out, Brother?”

“I believe you covered everything, Arianna,” Stellan replied, his hand moving to her arm and gently squeezing in an attempt to calm his sister.

Talwyn moved forward one step. “Your people lost much as a result of the Great War.Youlost much as a result of that war,” she said, her voice strong and unwavering. “You think I cannot relate to what you have suffered? I have watched friends grow up without parents. I have watched entire races of people be repressed and trapped within lands,” she said, gesturing to the siblings. “Did you think I was doing nothing in the White Halls?”

“Oh, you were doing something,” Stellan cut in. “Plotting and planning revenge against those who did not con?ne us. Do notforget, Talwyn, we have our gifts because of those you seek revenge against.”

“You have your gifts because of the Fae, not the Avonleyans,” she spat. “Think again, young queen,” Arianna said, sitting back in her chair, ?ngers gliding into Jamahl’s fur beside her. “Perhaps it would be prudent of you to learn and understand your own history before coming to us for aid against the wrong kingdom.”

Talwyn stepped forward again, pointing her ?nger at the Shifters. “It does not matter who gave you those gifts. You were given them for the sole purpose of ?ghting for Avonleya. If they had not needed your aid, you would not have them now.”

“Can the same not be said for the Fae?” Stellan countered.

“Yes. I recognize that my people were used and discarded when Avonleya ?ed back across the sea,” Talwyn answered. “It is for them I want Avonleya to answer for its actions. It is for you. The Witches.”

“The Night Children?” Arianna asked, crossing her legs, and the slit of golden dress parting to reveal her entire thigh. “Do you seek justice on their behalf as well?”

---