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It was meant to make me feel at home, I realized. She’d been asking me to join her for months, and when I did, she made sure the table was filled with comfort.

A genuine offer of kindness, or a ploy to disarm me. Maybe some strange combination of both.

My stomach didn’t really care either way. I inclined my head to Roksana, all the thanks required of a queen to her subordinate, and dug in.

We’d barely taken our first bites when Roksana turned to Arran, pouring his wine herself. “It was a welcome change to have you join us for our council meeting, Your Highness.”

He accepted the goblet, sipping it before answering. Making her wait for his response. For a terrestrial, he was not half bad at this game. “I wish to learn about the running of my new home.”

“Indeed. Is it much different than the terrestrial kingdom, then?” Roksana asked amid a delicate bite.

Arran’s brow tightened, just for a moment. But it was smooth again as he admitted, “I was a battle commander. Not a politician.”

Elora perked up instantly, seeing her opening. “Do the terrestrial forces—”

“Perhaps you can teach Elora a thing or two,” Roksana said with a razor-sharp smile to her daughter.

I’d sensed the undercurrent between mother and daughter before. Not the unequivocal hate the Dowager and I shared, but certainly not a loving or close relationship, either.

“Perhaps they can start in the sparring ring,” I said with a grin, around a bite so glorious my stomach almost cheered. “I’d enjoy wagering on that.”

Arran’s eyes glittered—not that dark fire he reserved for me, but the promise of a challenge. “Anytime you like, Councilor Elora.”

Roksana drummed her fingertips on the tabletop. The conversation was straying, and she wasn’t pleased. Interesting.

Whatdidshe want to talk about?

“I am sure you are busy with preparations for the Joining,” Roksana said. “Do you intend to take back command of the council soon, or wait until after Mabon?”

A bold question.

My face must have shown what I thought of it, because Roksana’s face transformed to a conspiratorial smile.

“I only wonder how much energy I should spend holding Esa in check in the interim, you see. She is very…”

“We know quite well what she is,” Arran said sharply.

We.

I swallowed hard, forcing the surge in my chest to quiet so I could speak. “Politics. A great way to spoil a delicious meal.”

A chill crept into the room. I knew if I glanced toward Elora, I’d see her fingers wreathed in frost. What that meant, though, I didn’t know.

“You promised me once that should I accept your invitation, you would not push me to speak of anything that would make me uncomfortable,” I said quietly, staring at my plate.

Arran shifted in his seat beside me. I didn’t need to glance over to know he was moving to get better access to his weapons. One word, and he’d strike down anyone who threatened to touch me, to cause me harm. Physical or emotional.

And I was more than capable of taking care of myself. I’d taught myself to fight in the shadows of those waterfalls. I’d trained with Arthur and his Goldstones until my palms bled and I could barely walk.

But having him at my side… it felt good. Even my shattered heart could admit it.

I’d never rely on him, not really. That was too far, too much. For now, though, I’d take advantage of his menace.

“Stand down, beast,” I ordered softly, knowing neither Roksana nor any other elemental had seen the beast of legend that lurked beneath Arran’s skin. “Roksana understands.”

Her eyes didn’t widen, no fear trembled on her lips. She was the most skilled elemental I’d ever met at concealing her thoughts and feelings. But she blinked once, and I knew that Roksana understood the warning.

She changed the subject to cuisine, asking Arran to compare the food in the elemental kingdom with typical fare in his homeland. It was as neutral a topic as any.