Page 14 of Born of Starlight
“Let’s sit out in the foyer.” I motioned toward the exit.
Emmerick followed me—taking in the space as if planning an escape route with every step. His hand never left the hilt of his sword.He doesn’t feel safe, I realized.
“Come sit. I won’t harm you.” I pointed to the chair across from mine as I sat. My voice was more reassuring than I thought myself capable of. “I know this is unusual—my requesting an audience with the Queen—but my intentions are pure.”
Once settled, he eyed me from where he sat and nodded slowly, not looking entirely convinced.
“I have instructions from Queen Wymark”—he reached into a pocket of his leathers—“to give this to you before I explain her request.”
His fingertips brushed mine as he handed me the parchment. His hand jumped away as if my magic could burn him. Or worse, jump to him, like it might be contagious. His attention was trained on me as I began to read aloud.
“Dearest Lady Asterie, if you are reading this, it means that Sir Emmerick has made safe passage to you. For this, I am glad.”
I raised my eyebrows as I looked at him over the page for a moment, letting no other show of emotion touch my face. It only occurred to me then how awkward it felt to read the letter aloud, but it seemed too late to stop.
Clearing my throat, I continued,“He is my most trusted advisor when it comes to matters of the Court of Luz. He will escort you here, but first, I ask for your service with an important task that I feel only the two of you might hope to accomplish successfully.”
The Commander shifted uncomfortably as though bracing for the next words.
“Sir Emmerick carries with him the nature of this request, along with maps that I hope will benefit you in your travels. While this is a request, and you have every right to decline, I’m compelled to believe this may be our only option to secure the safety of Luz. I write to you with the greatest hopes that you will accept. Please remain unseen and do not draw attention. My best regards.”
The signature on the letter was notQueen Sybilla Wymark of Luz, notYour Queen.
JustSybilla.
My fingers ran across the name—it was how one might write a friend.Was the Queen wise to consider me such when friendship wasn’t something I could offer her?Forming bonds with anyone outside the towers was forbidden, and even within tower walls, we were meant to keep matters professional.
Meeting Emmerick’s eyes, I spoke first. “It seems you have details of the task at hand.”
He nodded stiffly. “My Queen requests that we find a warlock in the north woods.” He cleared his throat. “A powerful potential ally,” he added.
A warlock…one that livedwithinthe realm. My cheeks sucked in as I gave thought to that anomaly. “Why not write him to come to Luz?”
“He isboundto the woods,” he answered. “He is believed to be dead, but my Queen believes that he is alive, bound and hiding still.”
“What crimes has he committed?”
“Sybilla would not share.” There it was again, that slight grit of his teeth between words. “We need your help to unbind him and ensure that he arrives safely in Luz, where the Queen requests his presence with yours.”
“Will he travel with us as a prisoner?”
That struck a nerve. Emmerick’s pronounced jaw jerked while he shook his head. “No.” He strained through the words as though not quite believing them. “As a guest.”
No judgment passed my features.Very interesting and seemingly unwise.“Why does Queen Sybilla think he will come willingly or quietly? That seems like a dangerous gamble.”
Emmerick’s posture softened in response to my shared concern. His hesitation was blameless, and yet,what other hope was there?“We will promise him his freedom in exchange for helping us—the Queen says, with conviction, that he can be trusted and will accept.”
“You do not think so.” It wasn’t a question.
“I think he was bound to those woods for crimes that none of us remember…so no, I do not trust him. But I trust my Queen and will do as she wishes.”
SirEmmerick’s commitment was endearing. It seemed he would do anything to keep his Queen and court safe. Anything, including escorting a High Enchantress into the northern woodlands to look for a dangerous warlock. Even if he didn’t want to.
“I did at least convince her to allow me to bring magic binding cuffs—at first, she didn’t want even that,” he finished.
“You have them now?” Concern was hidden from my voice.
“No—I left them on my horse. I am no threat to you,” he said. His hand left the hilt of his sword, and he placed both palms up as though surrendering before attack.
