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“Briar will watch over it,” Ashtine answered.

“Briar? Why not Cyrus?” Talwyn asked, her head snapping to her friend.

“Sorin’s entire Inner Court is going,” Ashtine replied. “Did you not know?”

“He will leave his entire Court defenseless?” Azrael demanded, his voice rising in disbelief. “You cannot allow this.” He directed the last words at Talwyn.

Talwyn had turned back to the window, her eyes looking northwest again. “I do not have a choice, Azrael. She has claimed her Courts.”

“And you just let her come in and take half of your lands?” Azrael snapped.

“They were nevermylands to begin with,” Talwyn retorted. Silence fell in the room. Then Talwyn said to Azrael, “Scarlett sent word that Hazel would attend the summit. Have we heard from Rosalyn or the Shifters?”

“Arianna and Stellan have said they would attend. I am still awaiting Rosalyn’s reply,” Azrael answered. He leaned against the wall now, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

“That does not surprise me,” Talwyn replied. “Rosalyn has never left her realm. The last time a summit was called, she was not the Contessa.”

“The last time a summit was called, none of the current leaders were in their positions,” Azrael said grimly.

“And what of the mortal realm? Will they be represented at this summit?” Ashtine inquired airily.

“The mortals are the reason we are having this summit,” scoffed Azrael.

“But they are directly affected,” Ashtine replied. As she stood from her chair, she added, “I think you will find Queen Scarlett will want them represented as well.” She tilted her head to the side, as if listening to something. “I must go.” Then she was gone on a phantom breeze that swept through the chambers.

“I hate when she does that,” Azrael ground out, still standing against the wall.

“You would think one would be used to it by now,” Talwyn replied.

“It does not mean I have to like it when she leaves in the middle of such meetings,” Azrael retorted.

“You are especially pissy today, Az,” Talwyn said, throwing a glance at him. “You are not still upset about the information I withheld, are you?”

“You should have told me,” he growled back.

“I told you, I did not want to say anything until I was sure,” she snapped back. “You are just mad Sorin made you look like a fool.”

“One would think as your Second you would tell me such things,” he replied through gritted teeth.

“One would think as my Second you would stop questioning me,” she snarled back.

The two Fae glared at each other for a moment, then Azrael's eyes narrowed. “When was the last time you slept?”

“I am fine,” Talwyn sighed, her gaze returning northwest.

“You have dark circles under your eyes. You need to sleep, Talwyn. You have used great amounts of your magic these last few days,” Azrael said, his tone softening a fraction.

Talwyn knew the rumors that surrounded them. She knew most suspected Azrael was her lover, and while they had their tumbles, it was more about distraction and release than any type of intimacy. She didn’t know if she could adequately describe her relationship with Azrael to be honest, but he’d stepped up. When her aunt had left and Sorin had… She still couldn’t say what Sorin had done. She had spoken truth when she’d spat at him that his love for her had died with her aunt that day in the courtyard. When she had been on the throne for less than a year, she was pulled to Shira Forst for the first time. Maliq had been there with Rinji and Nasima, and she’d known at that moment who her innermost circle would be. She’d sent Sorin away and gone straight to Azrael. It had been awkward for a while. She had still been learning. Azrael had been running his Court for decades. He’d had to adjust to Ashtine’s odd tendencies.

But when Tarek had been killed, she had nearly lost her mind. Sorin had been too busy consoling Cyrus, and Ashtine didn’t do relationships like normal people. Not knowing where else to turn, she’d gone to Azrael. The Earth Prince had merely blinked when she had stepped from the air into his Desert Alcazar. She had collapsed to the floor, sobs wracking her body. First her aunt had abandoned her, then Tarek had been ripped from her. And Sorin? He had been responsible for all of it. Azrael had immediately ordered everyone from the room. He had silently put his arms around her and held her while she cried. No words were ever spoken. She had cried herself to sleep and awoke in his bedroom chambers. He had been sitting at a desk across the room, going through various papers. As she sat up, he turned to her, and all she had said was, “We have work to do, Prince.”

Since that time, they have been what they are. Since that time, he had come to know her better than anyone else, and not because they shared a bed every now and then. He knew when to push her and when to let her be. He knew the ins and outs of her moods. He had taught her the intricacies of her earth magic.He had helped her hone her Traveling skills, as he was the only other known Traveler in the Courts.

“What I need is a distraction,” she said, finally turning to face him fully. She gave him a feline smile, but it did not reach her tired eyes.

Azrael merely gave her a pointed look and said again, “You need sleep.” He jerked his chin to the bed across the room. Talwyn scowled at him, crossing her arms across her chest. Azrael studied her, his face turning contemplative. “Why won’t you sleep, Talwyn?”

“There is much to be done,” the queen said, waving her hand in dismissal and turning to leave her bedroom. Quicker than she could detect, Azrael closed the distance between them and gripped her wrist.