Page 78 of These Fractured Bonds

As their walk stretched on through countless halls, her breathing slowed, and her skin became used to magic’s strong presence. Another set of doors appeared, grander than the others she had seen, with gold engravings decorating its deep forest green. They swung open, revealing a wide reception hall ablaze with natural light streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Bulky emerald curtains hung to the sides. A single longtable stood in the middle of the room, and all the seats were filled except one—Augrys’s.

She inwardly grimaced; they were, undoubtedly, tardy because of Erick and her. She made a mental note to apologize to Augrys later; he had not uttered a single complaint. She had a sneaking suspicion that he was accustomed to it due to Erick’s proclivity for being fashionably late.

The weight of everyone’s stares burdened her feet, and she found it difficult to keep from fidgeting, but Yareli kept her eyes fixed on Augrys’s back, too nervous to chance a closer look at the room’s occupants, and followed him to his seat. One gaze was heavier, hotter than the others; the corner of her mouth twitched. Tuom’s fury fueled her, and her steps became lighter, determined.

“How wonderful the Water Court has decided to make an appearance,” a Fae dressed in light blue robes said.Elder Beihr, she thought. Right next to him was Elder Zalher. Two of the five elders who presided over the Air Court.

Lord Endrim spoke, lifting a wine glass. “Now, come, Elder Beihr, let us not start the meeting with sour wine. After all, the Water Court has never been known for its timeliness.”

Shame crawled down her spine, and indignation at Augrys’s treatment twitched at her fingertips. She bit her tongue, however, remaining in character as a dutiful lieutenant. Augrys bore the snide remarks with silent grace, thanking the servant who rushed to fill his wine glass.

“I thank you all for your patience. Let us not delay any further on my account, shall we?” he said.

The others nodded in agreement. The Air Court’s elders sat directly across from Augrys. Next to them was Endrim, dressed in deep wine red; Tuom behind him. She stiffened but managed to slide her gaze right over him. He wore a bored expression as he stared straight ahead, but pain struck her chest, andshe blinked back furious tears. He had tugged on her chains, reminding her that if he willed it, he could force her onto her knees.Desgraciado. She ignored him, turning her head slightly to the right.

Next to Augrys, the Fire Court Trifecta sat together—Tonio, Andre, andAllyah. Tonio had an elbow propped on the table, fist under his chin, his lips curled up. He made eye contact with her, his smirk widening before his gaze flitted away. She fought a shudder, and not for the first time, she was reminded that she was a guppy in a tank of predators. She snubbed Allyah’s knowing eyes.

Finally, there was Thethe, dressed in the familiar bright red of the imperial army; he was the Imperial Court’s representative, directly reporting to the queen. He was a plain Fae, handsome as required, but had no distinguishable features. Pale skin, blue eyes, blond hair. He was as unremarkable as a passerby, and he probably had done it intentionally. Being unassuming was a viable political strategy—one that had worked well for him, seeing as how he held the highest rank in the Imperial Court. He paid Yareli no mind, twirling his pen in his hand, ready to jot down the meeting’s minutes.

Dragon General Andre, the highest-ranked general in the Fire Court’s Trifecta, started the meeting, announcing, “I hereby commence this Council of Review. The complaint is as follows: Her Majesty has failed to act in the best interests of Izmari against the ever-increasing danger of our enemy, the nox.”

Loaded silence followed. It seemed that while the Air and Earth Court were loud in their dissent, even they were discomforted by an utterance that sounded almost profane against their one, true ruler.

Elder Beihr was the first to break the silence, clearing his throat. “Yes, well, it’s an obvious misstep by Her Majesty. The no-aggression decree has been detrimental to our response tothe threat, which I may remind you, is reaching the threshold of no return. Make no mistake, wewillbe overrun by nox creatures.”

“We know little of the creatures. We risk greater retaliation by launching an assault against them without knowing their origin,” Augrys replied.

“We risk annihilation doingnothing,” Elder Zalher retorted.

“Perhaps the Air Court would be less concerned with the situation if they chose to act instead of sitting around debating the advantages oftrallesul,” Tonio said, picking up a bite-sized sandwich from the silver platters in the middle of the table and popping it into his mouth. “When you spend languid days high, instead of strategizing, of course, your court will struggle. Testament of our military strength, the Fire Court seems to be faring better.” He leaned back, still chewing, and smirked at the elders who had turned red.

“The Fire Court’s military strength has never been in question.” Endrim paused. “However, should the other courts fall, how long do you propose the Fire Court would last against the entire might of the nox army?”

“Perfectly stated, Lord Endrim. This is not a matter concerning individual courts, but rather Izmari as a whole,” Elder Beihr replied.

“However, Storm General Tonio makes a valid argument. Fearmongering does us no good; it inhibits our decision-making,” Augrys said.

Allyah spoke; her smooth voice made Yareli’s eyebrow twitch. Flashbacks to Allyah’s visit to the cafe played in her mind. She could still feel the goose bumps from that time.Here, she thought,was a woman of great strength. And Yareli hated that she held a shred of admiration for her. Allyah had, after all, made it clear that she didn’t mind squashing humans if it suited her.

“The elders’ concerns are substantiated. Nox attacks have increased in the past few months, and there are pitiful advancements in our intelligence. Even more troubling is the surge of the more… advanced nox creatures who fight, not as animals, but as soldiers with shields, swords, and magic. Most ground troops cannot pierce through their defenses like you, First General Augrys.”

“That is another concern. First General Augrys is our only ‘natural’ weapon against them. The Grand Institute has failed to deliver technology that harnesses light magic in lieu of light gifted,” Dragon General Andre said. His low, husky voice had a calming effect; everyone’s shoulders visibly relaxed, and the tension eased.

He, she noted, was greatly respected as the longest reigning Dragon General. Besides Elder Beihr and Tuom, he was the only other Fae with gray hair in the room.

“You see, First General Augrys, circumstances are changing, and a reevaluation of Izmari’s cohesive response is imperative for our survival.” Endrim directed his attention to Augrys.

Yareli got her first good look at Endrim. He was the complete opposite of Leo. White with silver-sheened blond hair, he had pointed features with short manicured eyebrows that only pinched his face farther in. He wore a politician’s mask—approachable, but impossible to read. His eyes gleamed as he watched Augrys ponder his words. He had cornered them.

Augrys had no choice but to concede. “There is merit in discussing secondary plans of action if that is all it is—contingency plans.”

“Why, I dare say I do not understand the implication.” Endrim took a sip of his wine.

The silence became tense again. Thethe scribbled furiously, the scratch of his pen a noisy reminder of the growing unease in the room.

Elder Beihr interjected. “I’ll be the one to say it; after all, I am the oldest, and I no longer fear returning to the Great Tree. Her Majesty fails to hear our concerns.” He swung his arm toward the throne. “Her Majesty does not grace us with her presence. Is that not evidence enough of Her Majesty’s repeated disregard this past half-century?”

Yareli startled at the realization; the queen was, indeed, not in the reception hall. The queen’s presence was apparent in the air and in the ground below, but the throne at the far end of the room was empty. It was the perception of the queen’s magic that had led her afoul. Why was the queen not in attendance?