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“The Queen of the Day Court will answer our call,” Tiernan said, standing resolute at the window, staring out into the chilly autumn day. It had been two days since we’d sent Arrow with the message for Queen Suriel. He should have returned by now.
Finn left an hour before to deliver my order to Silas to place a legion at the border to the Wastes and evacuate all the northern villages. In the ridge of mountains separating my lands from those of my ancestors was only one place where an army could get through. The Galrûn Gap. At least, in that regard, we were lucky—knowing where he would march his army.
“You don’t know that,” I answered Tiernan, shrugging off Kade’s attempt to rub more warmth into my shoulders and melt the crust of ice that kept forming over my skin like a shell.
My fingernails bit down into the palms of my hands, leaving half-moon indents when I finally released them. I agreed to sign the letter and send it with Arrow to the Day Court because it would’ve been foolish not to tryanythingwe could. But did I believe Suriel would honor the ancient tradition of Honorem Copulare? No, not at all.
The waiting was the worst. With the Horde armies ready and waiting at the border, the northern villages evacuated, and every smith in the Night Court working around the clock to make swords and shields and arrowheads, we’d done all that was within our power for now.
It would take weeks for Ricon to march his army as far as the Galrûn Gap over land. All we could do was wait. Outnumbered as we were, taking the fight to them wasn’t an option, but…
“I still say we find a way to kill Ricon,” I blurted, “If giving myself up isn’t an option,” I said, cutting a glare to Alaric, “Then wemustfind another way to stop this war from happening. We can’t win it, and I won’t watch my court fall.”
I felt Kade’s sharp intake of breath at my back, “It isn’t possible, Liana. With an army of ten-thousand and a legion of Dracs in the air, we’d never reach him.”
I knew they were right, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept. I wasn’t even sure I could handle taking him on. After I healed the Wraith, I’d been all but drained—near collapse. The amount of power I’d need to harness to defeat him could destroy me. I hadn’t had enough time to strengthen myself against the toll of my Graces. I spent nearly all my time using at least one of my Graces lately, if only to do just that—but was it too late?
How much time did we have?
I shivered and Kade tucked me into his chest. “It’ll be alright. We’ll find a way,” he whispered, and I wished my Kade would come back. The Kade who laughed and joked and infuriated me to no end. I missed him.
I missed me, too.
We heard Arrow before we saw him. A screech penetrating the room. Our heads turned all at once to the window just as the falcon came to land, not on the sill, but on the low coffee table inside. Right in front of me.
Tied above his left talon was a small scroll, sealed with the royal emblem. My stomach jumped into my throat. Arrow cawed, watching me with cool black eyes. Tiernan stepped in to retrieve the scroll, but Arrow backed away, moving to peck at his master’s fingers.
Tiernan rolled his eyes at the creature, backing away, “The scroll is meant for you, Liana. Arrow never fails a delivery.” He threw the falcon a look halfway between pride and annoyance.
“So,nowyou’ll let me touch you?” I asked the bird, moving from the warmth of Kade’s lap to kneel before the low table. Arrow hopped to the edge, moving his small head this way and that—getting a good look at me. Measuring.
I shook my head, “Alright then.”
I reached out and took hold of the small scroll, gently untying the waxen strings securing it in place. My fingers brushed the tiny soft feathers on the falcon’s legs and he bristled, jumping back the second I freed the scroll from his body.
“Thank you,” I said to him, and hopped to the edge of the table and flew out the open window. “Not a very trusting creature, is he?” I asked Tiernan, breaking the royal seal.
He shook his head, coming to sit on the edge of the table.
I licked my lips, unsure what I wished for the scroll to contain. Should Iwantthe queen of day to accept my request for council? I would be lying if I said I didn’t always dream of seeing the lands to the south for myself. The pristine beaches, the lush forests, and the land that seemed forever trapped in perpetual summer. But…
“Would you open the damned thing, already?” Alaric said, running a fisted hand through his dark hair.
Sighing, I unrolled the scroll, pressing it flat against the table so we could all see. The three males leaned in.
I gasped. The message from the queen of day was clear. Simple. Making it more difficult to discern her intent.
My court awaits your arrival.
Honorem Copulare.
“We need to make ready,” Alaric said. “We need to notify the council, and not all of us can go with you. At least one of us will need to remain behind. There are still those withinthesepalace walls who would seek to unseat you.”
Kade stood, “How do you even know she will honor the request for council? The right of Honorem Copulare hasn’t been invoked in millennia.”
Tiernan cocked his head at the Draconian, “There’s been no need for it—”
“So, areyouwilling to guarantee her safety?”
