Page 162 of Thorns and Echoes

One of her attendants handed her a scroll. She threw it amongst the glass. As curious whispers flowed through the crowd, she declared with utter glee: “For irreparable transgressions against the sovereign nation of Nadraken, my Queen declares war on Drantar!”

A chill ran down Castien’s back.

At the next table, High Priestess Nyridia gained her feet and solemnly intoned, “Our High Priestess has received guidance from the Goddess. Delia declares holy war on Drantar. All Her faithful are called to join us.”

Prince Balak tipped his wine cup in an indolent gesture. He didn’t bother to stand as he sighed, “Akerami declares war on Drantar. For reasons.”

All eyes swiveled to the Commander of Shoni’s armies. Lady Aurora stepped to the center of the hall and faced the Queen. Clasping her hands behind her back, she scanned the crowd.

“In this time of unrest, Shoni’i extends neutrality to all nations. Do not enter our borders, and we will not trespass upon yours.”

Her eyes came to a rest on Anais. She bowed her head and returned to her seat.

Anais was still. He didn’t need to see her eyes to know that they had shifted to sharp emerald ice. The hint of death rolled off of her.

The Dark Queen would have had all the representatives executed. What would this new Queen do?

Epilogue

Anais

The blood had barely dried from the Queen’s claws when she received Octavius’ ominous note. Her healer rarely summoned her. The last time had been years ago for a plague he had caught just before it spread beyond control. Quarantine might have incited an uprising if the commoners hadn’t been busy dying.

She entered his chambers and was almost relieved to find vials of yellow liquid scattered on his desk. The Nadraken alchemist’s books sat in front of Octavius.

Waiting until he finished pouring a vial into a brazier, she said, “Please do not tell me the trance is more complicated than we thought. I need one of our problems to be simple. Just one. Any one of them.”

He moved away from the vials. “My message was not about the trance, my Queen.”

She frowned. He sounded grim.

Octavius slid a green book across the table. “Have you taken a close look at this? I believe Frances wasn’t only an alchemist.”

In Frances’ bag had been two books: the one with his notes, and this strange volume. The writing had been indecipherable to her.

“No, I didn’t have time…” She reached to open it and paused.

Her brow lowered. She examined the book closer.

Tiny green scales bound the cover. Not paint. Scales like the ones on her clawbeds.

She pulled her hand back. “Is that what I think it is?”

“Yes. Human skin.”

***