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They buried the dead, interrogated the captured crew, meticulously searched the boat for anything nefarious, then took off with a rush of excitement. Fyia had flown plenty with her eagles, but this was new and exhilarating. She laughed as they cleared the forest canopy, then looked out across the horizon at her kingdoms. Herfivekingdoms. She still couldn't quite believe it was true.

The boat was luxurious. No expense had been spared in its making, which, the pilot told them, was because his sister had built it as a gift for the Emperor. She had apparently convinced him to commission an entire fleet to be used as machines of war. If the pilot spoke the truth, Fyia would need many flying machines of her own.

Fyia looked behind them as they floated south, searching for glimpses of the Kingdom of the Black Hoods beyond the Fae'ch Mountains. Her blood hummed when she caught sight of the frozen lands between two peaks, something in her urging her north.

She'd always felt a pull in that direction, but it was stronger now than ever. Was it because she was so close? Or because the Black Hood at the party had done something to her magic? His chocolate eyes flashed in her mind, but she dismissed them. She couldn't go north. Her kingdoms needed her … needed flying machines. She had no choice but to deliver this one to Essa.

The others could do that,some part of her whispered, causing her wolves to look up in concern. She dropped down next to them on the deck, her back against the railing. They practically sat on her, neither of them thrilled at being in the air.Don't worry,she thought, petting them.I'm not going anywhere.

Fyia invited the pilot, Opie Baralli, to dine with them. The boat had food to spare, given most of the original passengers were now dead, and they had their own rations also.

The boat had a decent sized galley and lavish dining room that occupied the whole middle section of the first floor below deck. Two of Fyia's guards cooked, while Fyia instructed the others to rearrange the furniture into one long banquet table, which basked in the light of the setting sun streaming through the portholes.

'How did you come to be a pilot?' asked Fyia, tucking into the roasted venison from a deer her wolves had hunted.

'The inventor of this machine is my sister,' said Opie, with a shrug. 'She needs someone stupid enough to test out her creations, and that task usually falls to me.'

'There are more? Creations, I mean?'

Opie laughed, deep lines creasing the skin around his eyes. 'She has more creations than I can count.'

'Like what?'

Opie raised his eyebrows. 'War machines commissioned by the Emperor, but also other types of flying machines, boats, contraptions to measure the wind and rain, and … I don’t know … many other things.'

Fyia peppered him with questions, warning him that Essa would be at least twice as bad once she got her hands on him. He laughed. 'Sounds just like my sister,' he said, sorrow in his eyes.

'Is she loyal to the Emperor?' asked Fyia.

'She's loyal, in the way of any normal citizen,' he hedged.

'Are you?' She looked him in the eye as he took a moment to consider. He was plain to look at, of medium height and build, with weathered skin and dark hair, but he had a friendly magnetism that pulled Fyia to him.

'I have no reason to be loyal to the Emperor, other than because he rules my homeland, which I hold dear.'

'Is he a good leader? A fair one?' asked Fyia, watching him intently.

'He's much like the Kings were here, I should imagine. He demands his taxes, lines his pockets, and whores extensively, if rumors can be believed. He has a close circle, whom he rewards handsomely. He's certainly clever, from what my sister's told me. He's shrewd and relentless, and resolute when he wants something.'

'Do the people love him?'

'They don't hate him,' said Opie.

Fyia took a sip of her wine. 'Who's the woman he sent?'

'I know not. I was told to fly her here to deliver her message, and nothing more.'

Fyia frowned. 'Then why did you shoot at us?'

Opie gave her an incredulous look. 'You shot at us first.'

She had to admit, that was true. 'How did you know where to find me?'

Opie shrugged. 'The Emperor told me you'd be in the Fae'ch Mountains … that's all I know.'

It's not like they'd kept their journey a complete secret, but it was still surprising the Emperor had found out so fast … unless … had Venir reached his court and sold her out? Had he betrayed her so openly … so soon?

'What will you do with me?' asked Opie, the tick of his jaw betraying his otherwise well-hidden unease.