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Sensis gave Venir an almost condescending look. 'As you know, I'm not in the habit of sharing sensitive strategic details more widely than is strictly necessary.'

'But there is anobvioussolution,' said Venir, as though the others were missing something a child could see.

Fyia stared the man down. He lost some of his gusto, but kept going regardless. 'Marriage, Your Majesty.'

The words hollowed out Cal's insides. He glanced at Fyia, who's attention was still on Venir.

'The rebels have made it clear, if you were to marry a suitable man, they would work with you, rather than against you,' said Venir. 'There is no shortage of suitable men; I have compiled a list … Lord Antice, Lord …'

Cal was gripped by the insane urge to claim Fyia as his. To tell this pitiful man if he thought he could control her through marriage, he was sorely mistaken.

Fyia gave Venir a disapproving look, the kind a teacher would give an unruly student, then turned to Starfall. 'Let us move on. Tell me of our other problems.'

'The Emperor has invaded,' said Starfall, humor tugging at the corners of her lips, 'and is demanding an audience with you.'

'And if I decline?' said Fyia.

'I doubt he'll stop until he owns all of the Kingdom of Sea Serpents, along with its banks, vineyards, and perfumeries,' said the Spider.

'Ah, well, at least in that case my home kingdom will finally have something to rejoice over,' said Fyia, flippantly. 'The distilleries of the Starlight Kingdom would do a roaring trade.'

'Your Majesty, I must protest …' said Lady Nara.

'No need, Nara, that was a joke,' said Fyia. 'I have no intention of letting anyone take what is mine, including your homeland. I will meet with the Emperor and hear his demands, but first, tell me all we know.'

'Why must council meetings be such a bore?' said Fyia. She leaned her head back against the arm of a couch, her body strewn along its length.

'The meetings are fine,' said Sensis, from an armchair across the room. 'The problem is you.'

'How dare you!' said Fyia, in mock outrage. 'I'm Queen … there can be nothing wrong with me.'

'There's nothing wrong with that King you brought back with you either,' said Sensis, with a smirk.

The Spider chuckled from her perch on a window seat overlooking the pretty, formal gardens. The townhouse was another of the Spider's safe houses; Fyia wondered how many she had spread across the city … across the Five Kingdoms.

Of course the Spider had known … there was little Fyia could ever hope to keep from her, but Sensis? 'How did you know?' Fyia asked.

'With genes like those,' said Sensis, 'how could he be anything other than a king …?'

Fyia rolled her eyes. 'Edu told you.'

'For your protection,' Sensis confirmed.

They'd spent much time during the council meeting discussing the glasshouses and other technology they would send to the Black Hoods in exchange for assistance with finding the dragons. Venir had been spitting by the end. He'd insisted the search for dragons was futile, and that the people of Moon would not stand for giving away their secrets. Cal had cut off Venir's protests with the promise of dragon scales, and Venir had done little but splutter ineffectually after that, seeing as dragon scales were the most highly prized commodity in all the known lands.

'Not from the King,' Sensis clarified. 'I have no plans to protect you from him …'

Fyia hurled a cushion at her friend. 'It's not like that …'

'Have you seen the way he looks at you?'

'Please,' said Fyia.

'Sensis is right,' said the Spider. 'If he plans to attend the meeting with the Emperor, he will need to work on his face.'

'Nice as his face unquestionably is,' said Sensis. She barked out a laugh at Fyia's exasperated expression.

'Do you have plans for him?' asked the Spider, turning her all-seeing gaze on Fyia.