Page 20 of Queen’s Gambit

It was a risky move, cutting through formalities with the only person who could stop the Tangrian galleons, or at least delay them. Still, if he wasn’t willing to cooperate, it might be time to show him our strength.

The fae bristled.

‘My name is Ectheon’va Bur’za. This is my wife Larena, and sister Vaina.’ He gestured to the women. Vaina’s nose shot up, and she gave me a disdainful glare, but Larena’s eyes warmed, and amusement flashed across her features.

‘I’m afraid, Lady Regnav, that titles are important in our land, but since customs are different here, call me by my name,’ she said, ignoring her sister-in-law’s sneer and her husband’s icy glare.

That was the opening I needed. ‘My friends call me Sana. Could I ask you a favour, My lady?’ I trailed off, satisfied when Larena’s eyes grew cold.

‘A favour? What kind?’ she asked while the rest of her family smirked as if I just proved their point.

‘I’ve never seen a gryphon up close. If your companion doesn’t mind, would you introduce me, please? I’m curious about those fascinating creatures.’

Larena’s mouth parted. She blinked once, twice, then shook her head. ‘My gryphon, yes, of course, she would love to meet you. I admit, Lady Regnav, that wasn’t what I expected.’

‘Why not? I would never ask more of a guest than they were able to give,’ I answered with a smile, but my gaze was on her husband, who smirked at the veiled meaning of my words.

The trio had barely sat down when the trumpets sounded again, and with the flourish came a fluctuation in the Aether so heavy my head snapped towards Riordan. The Royal Mage sensed it too, but he remained calm, muttering two words for my benefit: Dark Fae.

‘Domine Consortis a Mater Tenebrae e Care’etavos Empire Arean’va Daren’ra and the nobles of his land.’ The herald’s voice echoed in the hall.

A dark and dangerous beauty entered the hall. Tall with broad shoulders and a slender waist, he moved with predatory grace. His flowing white hair contrasted with skin dark as obsidian, and his piercing blue eyes drew my attention like a moth to a flame. The people accompanying him shared similar features, except that their hair colours ranged from white to jet-black.

They were all otherworldly, stunning, and utterly lethal.

‘King Reynard, it’s a pleasure to meet you again, and in such pleasant surroundings. Unfortunately, Empress Talena was unable to attend,’ the consort said, censure heavy in his accented voice. His gaze shifted to me. ‘I’m afraid the wound of losing her brother in the Necromancer’s War has yet to fully heal.’

He stepped closer to the dais, bowing to me and reaching out a hand in supplication.

He should have been focused on the king. Instead, his eyes refused to leave mine, and I didn’t know what to do. The Dark Fae were a matriarchal society, where women led and men followed. Still, I wasn’t even a queen.

I took a step forward and placed my hand in his. Arean lifted it to his lips. ‘Ave Dominae Dagome. May I ask your name?’

‘This is Roksana. Stop making advances on my Queen, Arean,’ Rey snarled, and the fae chuckled.

‘I wouldn’t dream of it. I have to admit, though, the Erenhart men have a talent for finding exceptional women. I heard you’re a vivamancer, my lady?’

‘I am, and you are?’ I asked, pulling away to stand beside Rey.

‘A humble necromancer and second consort to Empress Talena. I had the pleasure of fighting beside your king during the Lich War. Gods, what a magnificent soiree, even though we lost some of our finest.’ He smiled at me, revealing sharp fangs. ‘I’m proud to say I exceeded all my expectations, raising a veritable battalion of remnants that day.’

That was an entirely inappropriate, morose quip. One designed to shock and horrify its audience. I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help smiling at the Fae’s dark humour. He was a rogue, and rogues I understood.

‘Damn it! You did it. She smiled at you, you bloody idiot,’ Rey said, but the insult didn’t match either his bright tone or the smile that lit up his face. The cold-hearted War King was grinning as he leapt up and clasped Arean’s forearm and shoulder. ‘Thank you for coming, you old scoundrel. Just avoid the corpse humour during the luncheon. Not all ladies have Roksana’s iron stomach.’

‘As I said, you chose an exceptional woman. As for Talena’s absence, she still wears white, but she is not unreasonable,’ Arean said before lowering his voice. ‘We need to talk, sooner rather than later.’

Rey nodded, but we didn’t have time for anything else before the court of Lumivitae walked into the room, the herald scrambling to catch up.

My knees buckled, dress suddenly too tight around my chest to breathe. It took all of my willpower to keep my composure instead of rushing forward and pushing aside the men flanking the only person I wanted to see.

Lily was here—quiet, hunched and much too thin—but she was here.

‘Lady Roksana?’ the consort questioned, reaching out as I swayed. I raised my hand to stop him, then forced myself to look away from Lilliana.

‘Please excuse me, I have more guests to welcome.’ My polite rebuttal surprised him, and he followed my gaze to her walking stiffly and without grace. Arean’s eyebrows knitted together before his concern was replaced by a blank courtier’s look, only the corner of his lips tilting up in a covert smile.

‘I know a dismissal when I hear it. If any of those uptight bastards give you trouble, I’d be happy to cut them down a peg or two,’ he said, gesturing for his compatriots to take a seat.