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'May I … um … stand?'

'If you must.'

He hesitated for a moment before raising himself to his full height. 'Your Majesty, I am Lord Max Perdes, cousin of the former King Perdes. May I be the first to declare fealty to you, and to request your hand in marriage?'

Fyia cocked a mocking eyebrow, but he continued, seeming not to have noticed. 'I have extensive lands, lucrative trading connections in the west, and …' he leaned in conspiratorially, '… I'm working on a trade agreement with the kingdom in the north … with the Black Hoods.'

It was all Fyia could do not to laugh out loud. The Black Hoods traded with nobody, save for the Fae'ch, who were just as secretive.

'I appreciate your offer, my lord, and am glad of your fealty, but I decline the proposal of marriage. Enjoy the celebration.'

He furrowed his brow then took a step forward, apparently not used to rejection. His good looks and connections meant he'd probably never heard the wordno, his life no-doubt full of fawning sycophants.

Everything in the room went still, all eyes on the man approaching their Queen without leave. Edu and Sensis stepped forward, but Fyia sent them an almost imperceptible head shake; she wanted to see what this fool would do. He stopped in front of the wolves, who had lifted their heads, yellow eyes fixed on the threat.

'That's it?' he said. 'You won't even let me court you? Our match would be advantageous to all five of your kingdoms …'

Fyia looked at him, but said not a word, her face giving nothing away.

He frowned, waiting for her to say something, then fidgeted, his gaze flitting as uncertainty crept in.

Fyia tilted her head to the side and watched him closely. He bowed, finally realizing his mistake, and Fyia waved her hand, shooing him away. He went without protest, and the room breathed a collective sigh of relief.

By the time the party died down, Fyia had received three marriage proposals. The one from Max Perdes, of the Sky Kingdom, one from a merchant from the Kingdom of the Moon, and one from a former Princess of the Kingdom of Sea Serpents. Nobody from her homeland—the Starlight Kingdom—would be so stupid as to propose marriage, leaving only the Kingdom of Plenty unrepresented. Maybe they were more sensible, or less drunk, or maybe they'd lost courage after the first three rejections. Either way, she was happy when the night drew to a close.

'Kick them out,' Fyia said to Edu when she could take no more. Edu summoned Fyia's personal guard, who saw to it that every last person found the door, leaving only Edu, Sensis, and Adigos, who'd been skulking at the back all night.

'Adi!' said Sensis, approaching Adigos with her arms wide open. She embraced him. 'Long time.'

'I went as fast as I could.' His eyes flicked to Fyia as she lowered herself beside the fire pit.

'Gods, it feels good to lie down,' she said. She rolled onto her back, one of her wolves nuzzling her arm.

'It feels good the war is over,' said Sensis.

'Don't get too comfortable,' said Fyia. 'We're leaving tomorrow.'

'We are?' said Sensis.

'Well, not you. You'll need to stay, and … you know … lead the army, but the rest of us.'

'Where are we going?' said Edu.

'To the ford town in Plenty—Selise. I intend to build a new palace there.'

'Why there?' asked Adigos.

'It's a central spot between all five kingdoms … or at least as central as it's possible to be. It's prosperous, easy to access, and good for trade. I've sent Essa an eagle; she'll meet us there.'

'To design the palace?' said Sensis.

Fyia nodded. 'She won't be happy I'm dragging her away from her workshop, but she's the only one I trust.'

The following morning, Fyia, Edu, and Adigos mounted their horses. Fyia was restless and couldn't wait to get going. She had few friends in the Sky Kingdom—something she would have to rectify.

Eagles circled overhead, screaming as they swooped, chafing against the Cruaxee bond.

'They want to go home?' asked Adigos, maneuvering his skittish mare next to Fyia's stallion.