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There was an impish glint in his eyes. Fortunately, Lancelet saw it, too.

“I’m not even going to dignify that with a response,” I said. “And keep your voice down. There’s a crowd.”

He looked around. “They’re nowhere near us. You worry too much. And it’s true. If you wanted to rule Eskira, you certainly have the power to do so.”

“Eskira is divided into peaceful, independent kingdoms already. And I have no wish to rule. I haven’t even begun to properly rule Myntra, now have I? It’s not as if I’m exactly bursting with experience.”

Before Draven had left the Court of Umbral Flames, he had left Lyrastra as regent with Odessa as the power behind the throne. I had done nothing to even deserve the title of “empress” yet. Perhaps that was why, beneath the embarrassment, it also stung. I was a fraud. A prince’s consort, yes.

But a savior? A ruler? No.

“You’d have her colonize Eskira?” Lancelet’s eyes had narrowed in on Draven. “Seize power? Destroy our independence?”

Draven shrugged. I knew that he was mostly saying what he was to annoy her—but in small part because he happened to believe it. A fact that made me vastly uncomfortable. “If that was what the people wanted. Majority rules, doesn’t it?”

“That’s mob rule,” Lancelet said seethingly. “What we have always needed is government by the people, for the people. A truly organized and equitable system where everyone may have a say, from the lowest commoner to the highest noble. Not a monarchy based on blood lineages. It’s beyond primeval.” She glanced at me. “No offense.”

I shrugged. I wasn’t offended by the idea that monarchy was an ancient, incredibly unfair system of ruling a kingdom. Perhaps when Kaye was king, we could even begin to discuss the possibility of eliminating it.

“It so happens I agree with you, generally speaking. It’s not as if the people in any of these kingdoms had a say in selecting their rulers. Hereditary succession is a joke. That’s why I broke the mold.” Draven winked.

“Yes, it was ever so bold of you to put the royal daughter of one kingdom on the throne of another,” Lancelet said sarcastically. “Nobles, commoners. The entire system is a travesty.”

“I suppose I might have chosen a peasant girl,” Draven said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. He looked at me and grinned. “But then, I didn’t fall in love with a peasant girl, did I? I fell for you, silver one.”

He blew me a kiss, then grinned wickedly as Lancelet made a sound of disgust while I went red to my roots. Now I knew he was only doing this to drive her mad.

“I was hoping to speak with Guinevere today,” I said quickly, desperate to change the subject. My misbehaving mind had gone straight to the bedroom at the sight of Draven’s grin, and I needed to get it out again.

Lancelet furrowed her brow. “She’s not here. Obviously.”

“Right. Of course not.” I took a breath. “But perhaps you could take me to her. She’s at the temple, I suppose? I thought you might like to accompany me. It...” I fumbled. “It would be nice to spend some time with you.” I looked at Draven meaningfully. “Alone.”

Draven chuckled.

Lancelet nodded. “I could walk you down if you want the company.”

There was a collective gasp from around us and not a few shrieks.

The sound of beating wings filled the air.

“Nightclaw,” I said, without having to look. He was so close, I could sense him. He had been hunting.

“Out hunting?” Draven guessed. “Was he successful?”

I closed my eyes and mentally reached for Nightclaw, feeling his emotions. Triumph, hunger. “Yes.” I opened them again. “He’s bringing meat to Sunstrike. She’ll be happy about that.”

“Well, you’d better get that tray to her before he does or Hawl will be offended if she doesn’t touch it,” Draven suggested. “They can have a feast together.”

“That tray is for the exmoors?” Lancelet peered at the large plate of minced and jellied meats. “Is that... pâté?”

“It is. Hawl is very eager for Sunstrike’s recovery.”

“Clearly.” Lancelet met my eyes. “Well, they’re not the only ones.”

“I’ll take this to Sunstrike and then you’ll come with me to the temple?”

“You know, I just got here,” she pointed out. “I was delivering a message to one of the healers from Kasie. But yes, I’ll go back with you.”