Hela introduces me to a breathtaking woman in a sapphire-blue ballgown. The dark skin of her face is interrupted by a stripe of pale blue paint that runs over her bottom lip and down her chin. I've seen it on people before at formal events in the Sea Kingdom. She smiles at me warmly and somehow it's not condescending despite her being over a head taller than me.
An immaculately manicured hand extends towards me, glittering in gold and sapphires. I take it as she talks. “Ocealia, Queen of the Sea."
"It's an honour," I say, meaning it. I've heard so much of her and what a great Queen she is. "I am Renna, Commander of the Shadow Hunters. I'm not a Queen, but I feel my attendance here would be beneficial to us all."
"I do not doubt it for a moment. I'm glad you've come," she says, with genuine conviction.
I meet the King and Queen of Rivers, who I instantly dislike, before catching up with King Espan. His hugs are warm and homely, and I unashamedly bury myself further into his chest. He is the only one other than Onyx and Stell who knows snippets of my past. He knows things about me that he could ruin me with, but he never has, and for that I owe him everything.
"Did you see my guard wrote to you about work in the summer? We need you."
I nod, pulling away. "I did. I replied and accepted. Listen, before King Rexxan arrives, I have to warn you that I had a little run-in with him and—“
"What are you doing here?" A deep voice silences the courtyard.
Fuck. I turn and offer him a smile. He stalks towards me, and I understand the things that are said about him in that moment, because having King Rexxan coming at you with a murderous expression is fucking terrifying. I rub the back of my neck sheepishly. "Um...hello."
"What are you doing?" He bites out in a venomous tone, one second away from tossing me out of this tree-palace hybrid.
"I am Renna, Commander of the Shadow Hunters."
I don't know what reaction I was hoping for, but he doesn't give me it. He betrays no emotion whatsoever, and it’s frustrating. I could swear his gaze drops to my lips for just a second, but then again I am a narcissist, so maybe I am imagining that.
“You’d better take a seat, then."
Espan pulls out a chair for me, his gentle hands lifting the cloak off my shoulders and draping it over my chair. Espan is a gentleman; raised right. He knows his morals in and out, and he'll never stray from them. His kingdom sees the lowest crime levels, and he gives all his spare money away.
I must look tense because he shoots me a reassuring smile. "You belong at this table, Renna. I'll support you in ensuring your people are respected."
"Thank you."
We look over a map, scrawled with notes in the Forest Tongue; the most commonly spoken language in Yterras. Rexxan meets my gaze through his long dark lashes, and I suddenly feel too warm. His gaze is hot on mine, and I get the sense that he controls this room and everyone in it.
"Do you read, Renna? I can have the notes read aloud if not."
"I can read, thank you for checking."
"And would you prefer if we stay in the Forest Tongue?" Asks Ocealia, her eyes kind. I like her.
"I speak Forest Tongue, Aqualua, Naztan and Golden Tongue, but I can't speak the language of the River Folk or any of the languages across the western plains." I'm rambling.No one asked for a summary of your linguistic skillset, Renna. "Forest Tongue is perfect," I manage, eventually.
"I'm impressed," says the Queen of the Sea. "I was always under the impression that Shadow Hunters don't read or write?"
"We don't really, but I had to learn to get paid work for my people. I'm not good yet. My spelling is appalling."
"So is mine, to be fair," grumbles Holn, between two frankly impressive burps. I laugh, mouthing him a thank you.
We sit in that room for three days, leaving only briefly to sleep and eat, and to say I'm dying of boredom would be the understatement of this entire age. I underestimated Rexxan. I've never met someone so intelligent. He may be irritating and aloof, but he has so much information in his brain, and the other rulers are clinging to every piece of wisdom he has to share.
I want to knowhim. This here isn't him. He hasn't said a word outside of business, hasn't even hinted at a smile. He doesn't seem like a real person. I want to see him lose his composure. I want to see a crack in his facade. I want him to crumble under my flirting like everyone else does. But he is not like the others.
On day five, I am finally presented with a chance to plead my case. I'm determined to do it well, given the torturous meetings I've had to sit through to earn it. I accidentally called King Kelen of the Rivers a wanker yesterday and had to spend twenty minutes convincing he and his wife that they'd misheard.
He is a wanker, though.
Taking the seat beside Rexxan, I run through extensive numbers of how many enemy commanders we’ve killed, wolves we’ve slain, and spies we’ve trapped. I remain focused on the task at hand, despite the stifling tension. There is no way he doesn’t feel it too; the burning curiosity that weaves its way through our mutual dislike for each other.
"We get nothing in return. It's at the expense of my people's blood that your borders are safer. I know it's the lifestyle we have chosen for ourselves, but I come to you asking for fixed shelter in the mountains and the forest for my people, as well as hunting rights, and commission every time we stop an enemy from entering your lands."
