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I blinked. Mish’ya was a royal title for women of nobility. But then it hit me—Father was an advisor to the Crown. We were nobility now.
“We’ll be fine,” I started to say.
He held up one hand and shook his head, looking alarmed. “Please, don’t argue. There are factions about that would still have your head. We’re routing them out, but it’s impossible to trace all of them at this time. The city is a dangerous place for agents who stood against Lethesanar.”
And then I understood. The Opium Eater had nearly destroyed Y’Elestrial in the battle to keep the throne before she fled to the Southern Wastes. Apparently she still had bounties out on the heads of my family with her sympathizers.
“Fuck. That sucks rocks.” I let out a loud sigh and the guard broke into a snicker, sobering quickly when he saw my smile.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh,” he said, his eyes wide.
Even though I knew his worry was only because my father was the advisor to the throne now, it still felt good to wield a little clout. My sisters and I hadn’t been accorded much respect when we served in the OIA over here.
“Don’t sweat it. Call our escort. And don’t worry, I won’t report you for laughing at me. Not my style,” I said, giving him a warm smile. “Just watch yourself among the commanding officers. My father being one of them.”
Relief flooded across his face and he hurried off to one side, cautioning us to stay where we were.
I glanced at Morio and Iris. “You guys are in danger because you’re with me. You do realize that, don’t you?”
Iris cocked her head, staring at me like I’d lost my mind. “Oh, really now? And since when has anything about that little fact changed? Camille, we’ve been in danger every moment of every day ever since you and your sisters stumbled on Bad Ass Luke. Whether we’re in Otherworld or over Earthside, it makes no difference. We’re used to the thought.”
“Iris is right.” Morio grinned. “Get a grip, babe. You and your sisters are trouble magnets and we’re all along for the ride. We’re not going anywhere.”
Feeling like an idiot, I shrugged. “Hey, it’s late, I’m tired, and portal lag is getting to me.” I’d barely finished speaking when the nice young guard returned, an official OIA carriage behind him.
“Wow, we rate the royal treatment,” I whispered to Iris. “I guess my sisters and I really aren’t considered expendable anymore.”
As the guard helped me in, his fingers lingered on my arm and I gave him a long smile. As cute as he was, he seemed so young and so vulnerable. My guess was that he’d never seen battle.
And right then, I realized that I’d never be young again. Perhaps I’d never been. Not since the first time a schoolmate had shoved me in the mud because I was half-human. Not since I’d rescued Delilah from boys trying to tease her into her tabby form. Not since Mother died and I took over running the household. And not since the night Menolly broke into the house, fresh from Dredge’s torture. Over the last year I’d lost my belief that everything would be okay. But in that void, I’d gained strength, resilience, and a resignation that Fate had unswerving, undeniable plans for me.
The palace seemed gaudy compared to Queen Asteria’s citadel. Almost a little tawdry. I remembered the maze of outer and inner courts, and statues that stood two and three stories tall. But there had been a subtle change. As I stepped out of the carriage, I noticed that Tanaquar was renovating parts of the palace that had been destroyed during the siege. And they weren’t being rebuilt the same as before. No, there were more gardens, more walkways and fountains . . . more natural elements being added. The shattered gilded columns were being replaced with subtle marble and elegant, hand-carved wood.
Our escorts guided us up the steps. Shining light from eye-catchers sparkled along the path. As a child, I’d chased the glistening orbs, trying to catch them as they zipped just out of range. But now they were a comfort, with their soft pulsating glow in shades of pink and green and blue.
As we entered the great archway that led into the main hall of the palace, someone yelled, “Camille!”
As I swung around, my father stood there, his arms open wide.
“Father!” I raced over to him and he enfolded me in his embrace, kissing my forehead. He was handsome, and I mirrored his looks. Delilah took after Mother, and nobody knew where Menolly had gotten her copper hair. But father and I were two of a kind. His hair was caught back in a braid plaited with gold and blue ribbons, and his pale skin and violet eyes were stark and silken. He held me tight, rocking gently.
After a moment, he pushed me back, holding me by the shoulders. As he looked me up and down, his voice was firm. “You’re looking well. Your sisters, I trust they’re in good health?”
I nodded. “They’re both fine. You remember my husband Morio? And Iris?” They’d met, but I didn’t know how much he’d remember of them considering the meeting had been brief and in a crowded room.
Sephreh nodded to Morio and bowed to Iris. “Lady Iris, Master Morio, good meet and welcome to Y’Elestrial. We’ll be traveling to Dahnsburg tomorrow morning. Tonight, you will stay with us as our guests in our home.” He stopped for a moment and turned to Morio. “And you, sir, I trust my daughter will have no complaints about the way you and the dragon are treating her?” Though he was smiling, there was an undertone of threat there, and I flushed. Fathers would be fathers, even among the Fae.
Morio cleared his throat. “If she had a complaint, she’d bring it to us. Sir,” he said, his eyes flashing topaz. Oops, the question had pissed him off.
Time to step in. With haste.
“Smoky and Morio are wonderful, Father. I have no complaints.” Other than that Smoky was off with some bitch who claimed to be his fiancée, I thought, but I decided to keep that under wraps. Not unless I wanted Father to rush off on a fool’s mission.
“And yet you go in search of Trillian.” Sephreh’s eyes flashed dangerously and I realized what he was so on edge about. Even with all Trillian had done for us and for the war, Father still didn’t like him.
I let out a long sigh. “You know that Trillian will always be a part of my life. We forged—”
“A bond. Yes, I know. The two of you performed the Eleshinar ritual and you foolishly bound yourself to him for life. The fact that it happened doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
