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Chapter One
Liana
Even though it never left the council chamber wall, the edges of the map were yellowed. The canvas-like paper near petrified. I traced the thin line of ink separating the Wastes from the Night Court. That’s all it was. A line. And somewhere on the other side, the Mad King was readying his forces to take back the throne.
He wasn’t in the ruined palace at Mt. Noctis anymore. We’d checked. And though I’d protested, Kade and Finn had been combing through every inch of the Wastes searching for Ricon’s army.
But there was nothing.
Absolutely no trace of this supposed great force Valin had alluded to. And though we still had doubts it even existed, it was time for my court to know the truth. Even without an army, so long as he lived, the Mad Kind would always be a threat.
Tiernan came to stand next to me, considering the top of the map where the Wastes sprawled to the north. Finn looked over his shoulder from the window, but he made no move to join us.
He’d been staring out into the cool autumn evening in brooding silence since we’d gotten to the council chamber. The Draconian looked like a damned gargoyle standing there like that—with his great black wings, corded crossed arms, and dangerous, pensive stare. He seemed to be the most unsettled by it all though I thought it was mostly because he couldn’t figure out how to solve the problem. Finn always had the answer, but this time, he didn’t.
“It seems so close when you look at it on a map, doesn’t it?” Tiernan said, his voice low and brows furrowed.
“The Wastes?”
He shook his head, and the gold in his hair lit like fire in the dying light. “No, the Day Court. But yes—that too.”
I wondered if Tiernan missed his home. The vast majority of places on the old map were foreign to me. I knew their names but hadn’t the faintest idea what they looked like. I knew the Day Court to be a bright sort of place. The days seemed longer there, the forests were evergreen. It was a place where the earth had never known the cold touch of snow. I knew those things because I’d been told them, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t yearn to see them for myself.
“Do you ever wish to go back?” I asked him, trying to read his drawn expression.
Tiernan inhaled deeply, smirking, “Well,” he began, biting his lower lip, “I’ll admit I miss the food…. and the wine was a far sight better than what the Night Court has to offer—”
“Tiernan!” I shoved him.
His eyes widened in mock injustice and herubbed at his wounded shoulder, “You needn’t ask,” he said more seriously, “I have everything I need right here.”
The door to the chamber swung open and Edris strode into the room. “Ah, Your Majesty. Early, I see.”
I nodded to the former King Consort, “You may call me by my name when we’re without mixed company,” I offered him. It was the first I’d seen of the male since we first returned over a week ago. He had seen I was alive and unmarred, heaved a relieved sigh and thanked Alaric—and then he’d left.
I owed him a debt. The only reason I still wore my crown—the only reason no one at court even knew I’d been missing or died was because of him. I wouldn’t go so far as to start calling him Father, but, “Thank you,” I said to him and watched his eyes widen.
He bowed his head, understanding my meaning, “I owe you that and more, Liana.”
Yes, you do, I thought to myself, pulling a chair from the long oval table.
Finn abandoned his brooding at the window, making room for Arrow to land on the ledge. The falcon crooned softly, tucking in hiswings to protect his body from the chill. I shook my head at the creature, sighing. It seemed I owed Tiernan’s pet my life as well. If it weren’t for Arrow showing my males the way to the ruined palace, they may not have found me in time.
The other council members filed into the chamber, their unfinished conversations pouring in with them—echoing off the stone walls. Finn took the chair next to me, and Tiernan stood at my back with his hands clasped at his front. I saw Edris’ brows furrow when he realized I had no intention of asking my males to leave.
I really didn’t understand why they thought I would follow all their rules. Last I checked, I was their queen. It made little sense that I should have to follow their rules. Besides, Finn was likely smarter than all the fools in the room put together. And Tiernan was more level-headed than most and had the heart of a true warrior.
One by one, the council members took notice of the Draconian and the day-court-emissary-turned-queens-guardian.
The court's baron of finance, a sour-faced male with milky eyes was the first to protest, “Your royal guard has no business attending council meetings.”
“Here, here!” said a bearded noble with a golden ring on each of his fingers.
I rolled my eyes.
Silas pulled out a chair and sat. I hadn’t seen him since the memorial for the Draconian’s who fell at Mt. Ignis, and he looked more tired and pale than I’d ever seen him. I swallowed.
The leader of the Horde armies still hadn’t found his sister, and now I had to tell him he never would—unless he was lucky enough to stumble upon her corpse. “Leave them be,” he said, “I have other matters to attend to. Let’s get this over with.”
