Page 115 of Midwinter Wiles & Valerian Dreams
“You’re the right one forme,” she says fiercely. “Theonlyone for me. And I’m the only one who gets to decide that. Not you, and certainly not you,” she adds, pointing at Taynia.
The queen blinks, not expecting the pushback. “As I told Lark earlier, a princess and a Wilder Fae together would be folly.”
Her stepdaughter glares back. Their relationship is precarious, balancing on thin ice after the shattered curses and years of strain.
Before Talvie can open her mouth to protest, Taynia raises her hand. “Folly, perhaps…” She appears to be weighing her nextmove. Slowly, she smooths her skirts and straightens, her voice cool. “But then, love is often foolish. If this is your decision—”
“It is,” Talvie snaps.
“Then I suppose we’d better see about the future of these childlings. I’m not about to leave the fate of my grandchildren to some backwoods court.”
That earns her a sharp glance from Daria, who clears her throat. “With all due respect to the throne, Your Majesty, this is a civil matter. And in this room, on this day, under our current laws, I am the authority here.”
Taynia holds her gaze. “Weren’t you chasing after my Head Huntsman like a lunatic last night?”
Daria chokes. “Preposterous. I have never pursued anyone aside from my wife, and besides, this is not about me. Nor, might I add, is it aboutyou. Or should I ask after the whereabouts of my mule?”
I don’t know where to look. The formidable women exchange daggers with their eyes, each daring the other to back off first.
Queen Taynia pulls herself to her full height. “I have no knowledge of your mule, dear madam. And as you seem a wise sort, I trust you will make the right decision in this matter.”
“Thank you.” Daria sniffs. “I will.”
Another look passes between them. I’m fairly certain it’s a mutually agreed, 'we shall never speak of this again.' I squeeze Talvie’s hand. She squeezes back. Neither of us laughs.
The air still crackles, but Daria turns to the rest of the board with crisp efficiency. “Let’s return to the matter at hand.”
Talvie’s grip tightens on mine. The queen folds her hands, settling into her seat as if this is a formality she’s chosen to watch play out. The room falls silent, all eyes on Daria, and my heartbeat pounds in my ears.
This is it. One ruling decides whether the family we’ve built stays together or scatters like ash. The only thing keeping meupright is the sturdy grip on my hand. If the worst happens, I might not have to go back to wandering alone.
Daria’s gaze sweeps the hall. “We’ve heard your testimony, reviewed the Case Sentry’s report, and considered the youngling’s wishes. Now it falls on this board to decide what’s best for them, a decision we do not take lightly.”
She starts with a few more questions for me. I answer, my head and heart spinning with every word.
Then she speaks to the kids. “Are you happy there?” “Do you feel safe?” “Do you want to stay?”
Their answers are quick and sure.
Helkki smirks when it’s her turn. “Where else can I live with the best prank partner in the Hinterlands?” I’m not sure it’s helpful, but it brings a small smile to a few of the sentries’ faces.
The twins nod in unison. “We’re not going anywhere.”
Aili crosses her arms and dares the sentries to ask her again after she says, “Yes.”
With Mikael, Daria pauses. “You come of age soon. We could declare you an adult now, if you’d prefer to move on. You don’t have to be included in this custody petition.”
“I appreciate that, ma’am,” he says quietly, “but I want to be part of this family. I want to be Lark’s. Please.”
From the choked back sob beside me, that hit Talvie as hard as it hit me.
Daria has evidently heard enough, because she leans back in her chair.
“As to the matter of the joint petition filed with the claim of an intended marriage, this board finds that claim is no longer relevant. We disregard that application and base our decision solely on the merits of Lark Hyveri’s petition for sole permanent guardianship.”
The air thins again. No more illusions. No ruse.
Just me.
