Page 69 of Kingdoms of Shadow and Ash

'The Emperor across the Kraken Sea,' said Venir, his voice firm. 'He is the obvious choice for trade, wealth, and if his flying machines are any indication, then I dare say technology also. Although, if the Queen would prefer, we have many eligible men within our own lands … Lord Antice, to name but one.'

Lord Antice indeed … Venir's nephew. Venir had balls, she would give him that much. 'Then you should put your case to the Queen upon her return,' said Starfall.

Venir smiled harshly. 'I trustyouto make the Queen see sense.'

'The Queen does not take orders from me, my lord.'

Venir sniffed. 'She's not even here. The people know you're the one in charge … the one capable of understanding our delicate predicament, of swaying the Queen to our cause.'

Our cause. Of course, Venir was not merely a messenger. He was power hungry, and Fyia had snubbed him, making changes that would hit him in his overflowing pockets, changes that, ideologically, he could not accept.

Starfall nodded her head. 'I make no promises, my lord, but I see how a marriage could be advantageous to our kingdoms. I will think on it.'

Venir bowed his head. 'Of course, my lady. A wise choice.'

Fyia opened her eyes, blinking against the bright glare of the sun through the window. She groaned at the pain thudding against her skull, and footsteps came immediately to her side. 'Your Majesty,' said Edu, taking her hand, 'are you okay?'

'I think so,' she said groggily, her throat dry and scratchy. 'What … happened? Where am I?' Her words were sleep slurred, her brain sluggish, her eyes taking an age to adjust to the light. She remembered the tavern, her wolves,Cal.

'This is the Queen Mother's house,' Edu said quietly. 'The King decided this the best place for you, after … whatever it was that happened.'

'The Queen Mother?' said Fyia.

'The King's mother,' said Edu, 'and former Queen. Her son—Cal—became King upon his father's death … although, from what I hear, succession wasn't clear cut. He had to fight for it, and it was recent.'

Edu's words were interesting, but Fyia's mind was slow. At least her eyes had adjusted. 'Help me sit,' she said. He did, and she grunted against the pain in her head. She made small rocking motions with her eyes clamped shut, waiting and praying to the Goddess that the blows against her skull would soon pass.

Eventually they ebbed, and she opened her eyes, Edu's concerned face hovering in her line of sight. She waved to make him back up. 'How long have I been here?'

'Only a few turns,' he said, handing her a glass of water.

She gratefully accepted, and drank deeply, relishing the cool relief as it slid down her throat. 'What happened?'

'You blacked out, and I carried you outside. Your wolves followed, which calmed matters a bit. The King thought it safest to bring you here.'

'I heard the roaring in my head again, when the King touched me. He's the one from the Fae'ch mountain.'

'I know,' said Edu. 'He told me that much, although wouldn't say any more.'

'Do you think we're in danger?' she said. She cast her eyes through the window, although she couldn't see much but half-buried trees and snow.

'I don't think so,' said Edu, refilling her water glass. 'They don't fear magic here as they do in our lands. If anything, they seem more respectful after your Cruaxee display, or so the guards say; I haven't left your side.'

Fyia nodded. Her Cruaxee liked it here. She could feel her wolves' contentment through the bond.

Before Fyia could pepper Edu with more questions, a knock sounded from the door, and Zhura entered. She gave a small bow, then said, 'The Queen Mother would like to see you, if you're feeling up to it.'

'Why?' said Fyia.

'Because those with a Cruaxee are rare, and she would like to meet a kindred spirit.'

Fyia threw back her covers. 'The Queen Mother has a Cruaxee?'

Zhura gave Fyia a blank look, then turned and left. 'I will be outside when you are ready.'

Fyia was ready in moments, despite the great pain in her head. Edu followed a step behind as Zhura led them down a grand staircase, taking them below the snowline, into the kitchen of the large house.

The kitchen spanned most of the bottom floor, the windows boarded to keep out the snow, the space lit only by candles and the fire in the cookstove. A huge wooden table—the top well worn by time—stretched across one end of the space, and at the other, in front of the stove, sat a woman in a low wooden chair.

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