Page 239 of Of Masks and Fury

Syllavar’s towers had never looked more beautiful than when they rose from the lake at dawn. Eighteen rescued prisoners rode on dragonback, their eyes wide as they took in the castle that would become their new home if they chose to remain. Six had chosen not to continue with us after we rescued them.

Pherin trilled from my shoulder, her exhaustion clear in the way she leaned against my neck. Gavelle flew beside us, though he’d ridden recently as well. All of us had pushed ourselves to the limit to get here quickly.

The aerie buzzed with activity as we landed. Stable hands rushed to help the rescued prisoners dismount, gentle hands steadying those too weak to manage alone. Mae stood on trembling legs, tears streaming down her face as she looked around at the magic being openly used to help everyone.

Grayson met us at the aerie entrance, his eye twitch more pronounced than ever. He bowed to Trew. “Welcome, Your Majesty. Thank the fates you’ve returned.” His gaze swept over the new arrivals. “Because I knew you’d succeed, I’ve arranged for eachperson to have a guide, someone who can help them adjust to Syllavar.”

The thoughtfulness of his action made my throat tighten. While we’d been racing against time, Grayson had been preparing for our arrival.

Malcolm stepped forward, his face creasing into a warm smile as he approached Willard, a middle-aged man who looked ready to bolt. “I’m one of the trainers here,” he said. “Can I help you with your things?” He took one of the two bags Willard had quickly grabbed back at the village. “Syllavar will give you a purpose.”

“I’d like that.” Willard glanced back at the others. He dipped into a bow in my direction. “Thank you, Princess, for saving us.”

Similar scenes played out around the aerie and once we’d reached the castle foyer. Warriors sharing their stories, offering reassurance, building bridges between fear and hope. Shock rippled through my people. Several of the rescued flinched when companions shifted forms, others stared at the casual use of magic with wonder and excitement.

They were here. Alive. And free.

Mae rushed to me. “Is Leo here?”

“He’s a few hours flight on dragonback from here. I’ll arrange for someone to bring you as soon as possible.” I gave her a hug. “You’re safe now. And soon you’ll have your son back.”

“I’ll be happy to take her to the village tomorrow,” Maddox said. He couldn’t seem to look away from her, and she must’ve felt the intensity in his gaze, because she looked down, color rising into her face. She’d lost her husband not long after Leo was born. Maybe she and Maddox…

This was no time for matchmaking, however.

Mae wiped her eyes and looked up at him. “That would be wonderful.” Her smile rose through her tears. “I can’t wait to see my boy.”

“Thank you, Maddox,” I said.

He scuffed his foot on the foyer floor and nodded.

I squeezed Mae’s hands. “I’ll come visit you and Leo as soon as I can.”

After the new Syllavar citizens left with their guides, the exhaustion I’d been fighting swamped me. Trew’s arm came around my waist, giving me support, though he had to be as tired as me.

Grayson came over to join us, nodding as the last of those from Caldrith left with Syllavar warriors. He spoke low. “I realize you must be eager to bathe and rest, but we have an interesting situation.”

Trew sent him a raised-eyebrow look.

“An envoy from Velmire arrived yesterday, and I placed him in one of our best suites and placed guards at the door to keep him from…wandering about the castle.”

“An envoy?” Trew asked, his eyebrows lifting. “What does he want?”

“It’s actually King Darvon himself.”

The king who was supposed to marry Addie before she was attacked.

Trew and I exchanged glances. This couldn’t be good. In my experience, when things seemed too convenient, they usually were.

“What does he really want?” I asked Grayson. “Darvon doesn’t make moves without calculating every angle. There has to be more to this than mutual defense.”

Grayson’s expression darkened. “That’s what concerns me. His timing is too fortuitous. Almost like he was waiting for this exact moment to make his move.”

Shivers tracked across my skin. Were we about to trade one threat for another?

“Have him delivered to the throne room,” Trew said. “We’ll wait for him there.”

Trew and I strode to the throne room and he sat, gesturing for me to take the smaller throne beside him.