Page 45 of Autumn Queens & Shadows

Cai’s head dropped back, and he sighed, just staring up at the skies for a long moment. “Come to Olympia, Thora,” he said after a while, still looking at the turning Isjordian ceiling that might be finally gracing us with some dull weather soon now that a few patches of white clouds were gathering above. “It’s no longer a graveyard. It never will be again. So come back. Make it your battlefield if you want. Just come back.”

“I will. Someday, I will,” I lied, fiddling with my sleeve. “You weren’t at my wedding.”

“Had a hunch it would not be your last one.”

“So, it had nothing to do with the fact that my brother was there?”

“He was there?” Cai nonchalantly asked, and then gave me a massive grin when I glowered. As he backed away, a portal opened just behind him. “Did he at least look like he missed me?”

“Yes.” Eren looked like he’d missed everyone, but that had been his choice.

“He better. I miss him, too.”

“Does he know that?”

“I hope he does. It would mean he is still thinking about me.”

“It’s been ten years. You should forget about him.”

“I should, shouldn’t I?” Before he went inside the portal, he turned to me one last time and said, “In ten years, tell me that again. I need to hear it.”

“You think you’d still miss him then?”

“Probably.”

My court had gathered entirely. From northern to southern lords and captains, to even a few bailiffs. The surprise only briefly crossed me because then I saw him sitting amongst my lords, taking that spot in my court like he always belonged there. He was hard to miss from the way my people had created a berth around him, all except Elias. If someone had been happy about the Eldritch Commander’s ten-year long disappearance, it had been Isjordians. They’d all had witnessed a fraction of his might that day in battle, some had even fought against him and lost. Some probably still saw him in their nightmares.

Elias stood first and the rest followed, all except him, bowing when I took my seat. “Congratulations,” Lord Venzor said without even hesitating. He’d been eager to close in on this charade. “On your engagement to Prince Malik, Your Majesty.”

Engagement. To him.

The rest of my court followed after Elias in their congratulations, some thrilled, some caught by surprise, some anxious at the outcome, and a few livid at my choice but smartly quiet.

Snow had been against choosing some of my father’s followers to be part of my court, but it was important people knew there were still voices somewhat loud as mine in this kingdom. And also because I enjoyed the banter. It got boring easily in this silent, cold kingdom of mine. One had to step up and entertain me.

Malik didn’t think so, it seemed. He had directed a silent deathly glare on the part of my council that seemed somewhat in disagreement to the news.

“You suppose this will deter the Isline Queen from any future attack?” one asked to my displeasure. The firm Lord of Brisk I knew him to be faltered a little when Malik shot him a look. “But I suppose you two are, uh, in love, of course.”

“Blindly,” Malik boredly said, just as I said, “Unimaginably.”

My court went quiet, glancing between him and I.

“I would like your blessing, Emil,” I said, breaking the grave quiet and turning to Erik’s father. “Without it, I will not go forth with the engagement. Despite our situation, Erik was more than just my betrothed, I wish to respect his memory if I am allowed to.”

“You have my blessings, my queen,” Emil said. “And my undying support from now on forth. What of my riches I would have passed to my son, I will pass on to your armoury and men who will fight against Iskyla. My campaign and support to you will die when I die, and I will not die before I see my son’s murderer be punished. I do not mean death.” He turned to Malik. “I am glad she chose you. Though I’m sure not everyone will take well to the news of the Eldritch Commander becoming our king, many will see its many benefits. Besides making our queen happy, that is.”

“As am I,” he said as if me and him were the happiest couple to have grazed this frosted earth. “But I am no longer the Eldritch Commander. That title no longer exists.”

“I’m afraid that name will stick to you beyond your grave, Prince Malik,” Lord of Modr added, smirking at him.

I’d seen the two talk at Erik’s funeral.

The more I looked at Karl, the more the aggravating realisation struck me. Had he been the one to suggest this engagement to Elias or him?

“Besides,” Karl added. “You two fought shoulder to shoulder in the Guardian war. Eldritch Commander and the Ybris. It’s already a banner of your connection and power.”

“Or a recipe for disaster,” I said. “If I had wanted to marry into power, Karl, I would have wed myself.”